kingston
Latest
Kingston unveils flash storage vending machine in UK
We wouldn't recommend hopping on the next non-stop flight to London Gatwick Airport's North Terminal or anything, but for those passing through in dire need of an extra SD / CF card or USB drive, Kingston's got your back. Joining SIM cards, iPods, digicams, shoes, and all sorts of other bizarre goods, Kingston's self-branded vending machine will doll out presumably overpriced flash memory to travelers in need. Reportedly, New Jersey-based MyMemory will be operating the machines, and of course, they will all be open 24/7 for your late night (and mid-day) flash storage requirements. Interestingly, the UK units will supposedly utilize the oft hacked Chip & PIN technology, which means the countdown to gobs of free memory (and a high-speed police chase) has officially begun.[Via EverythingUSB]
Kingston DataTraveler Reader integrates card reader into USB drive
Looks like Kingston's DataTraveler is taking yet another form, as it's moving beyond its uber-secure and ReadyBoost-lovin' ways onto a hybrid rendition to multitask with the best of 'em. Although the new DataTraveler Reader may seem like your average 1GB / 2GB / 4GB USB 2.0 thumb drive at first glance, just popping the unusually wide hood will reveal the secret within. Aside from toting a good bit of your files on its lonesome, users can also expand the amount of usable storage by inserting their own SD, MMC, or SDHC card. The firm states that Windows Vista and OS X users alike won't have any issues tangling with this here device, and with the right adapter, you can even slip miniSD, microSD, MMCplus, RS-MMC, MMCmobile, and MMCmicro cards into the reader too. Notably, the drive appears as two separate partitions on one's computer if a flash card is riding shotgun, so you know precisely where your incriminating photos are headed when you drag 'em over. The 1GB and 2GB flavors of the DataTraveler Reader will be landing in stores later this month for $19.99 and $34.99 respectively, while those eying the capacious 4GB edition will be forced to guess the price while waiting for it to surface in Q2.[Via DigitalMediaThoughts]
AMBER Alert comes to Kingston's Child ID USB flash drive
Similar to just about every other USB flash drive manufacturer out there, Kingston's renditions aren't any stranger to somewhat superfluous security layers, but the firm's latest thumb drive looks to keep your child safe by teaming up with AMBER Alert. While the kid-protecting service has already been available via SMS, the Child ID Kit allows users to upload a smorgasbord of information about a single child including photos, birthdate, hair / eye color, contact information, nicknames, and even fields for parents to explain gaudy tattoos and embarrassing piercings that should only be divulged when searching for a missing youngster. Sporting 512MB of internal storage, password protection, and obligatory encryption, paranoid guardians can snap up one (or more) now for $29.95 apiece. Still, we're not entirely convinced this ultra-modern edition of the milk carton splash will actually help you find missing kiddos any faster, but at least you won't be forced to go searching for their blood type at inopportune times.[Via Gadgets-Weblog]
Kingston DataTraveler ReadyFlash, ready for ReadyBoost
Anyone who caught our Windows upgrade guide might have caught a glimpse of a new Windows Vista feature Microsoft's quick to tout: ReadyBoost, which allows you to use a USB drive as another layer of performance-boosting cache for Windows. The jury's still out on whether ReadyBoost will actually make a real-world difference (and how ReadyBoost USB devices are any different than regular devices), but Kingston's ready to go with their DataTraveler ReadyFlash, what appears to be a regular 1 or 2GB USB 2.0 drive with a 5/3MBps read/write. No word on price or release yet, but if it goes for much more than what a regular DataTraveler does, forego the new sticker and just buy the vanilla variety -- ReadyBoost is supposed to work with any reasonably speedy USB flash drive.
Kingston unveils blazing fast HyperX DDR2 RAM modules
While Kingston's no stranger to the memory world, the firm is easing off its portable solutions to focus on the release of two new DDR2 modules, presumably in conjunction with AMD's most recent processor announcements. The RAM giant has announced mass availability of the speediest modules around with its new PC9200 (1.15GHz) and PC9600 (1.2GHz) HyperX offerings. Part of the gaming-ready KHX series, these speedsters both sport CAS latencies of five and are available in 512MB / 1GB sizes. Although Kingston recommends an AMD CPU "for optimal results," we're sure Intel chips will find a way to get along as well, and the firm even burns them in for 24 hours to prevent any DOAs. The KHX9200D2 modules can be had individually for $137 (512MB) or $259 (1GB), or in kits of 1GB ($273) or 2GB ($518); the flagship unit will run you $139 for 512MB, $263 for 1GB, and kits are available in sizes of 1GB for $278, or 2GB for $525.
Kingston DataTraveler USB drives get Secure and, um, super-secure
When it comes to security on USB flash drives, you're looking for two things: protection against the elements and destructive kids or pets, as well as strong encryption so all your incriminating files stay locked down. Well Kingston's got you covered on both fronts with the latest additions to its line of DataTraveler drives -- the DataTraveler Secure and DataTraveler Secure: Privacy Edition -- which both sport titanium-coated stainless steel cases that make them waterproof down to four-foot depths. The regular Secure model is targeted at small- and medium-size businesses, and features a "privacy zone" protected by 256-bit AES hardware encryption along with read / write speeds of 24MBps and 10MBps, respectively. With the Privacy Edition models -- meant for enterprise customers -- you're getting the same specs boosted by full drive AES encryption and a so-called "complex password protocol" that locks out the drive after ten malicious "attacks" or drunken mistypes on your part. You can pick up the DataTraveler Secure models immediately in sizes ranging from 512MB to 4GB ($33 to $244), while the same-size Privacy Edition units won't be available until January, giving Kingston time to decide how much they can jack up the prices for IT departments with bloated budgets.
Kingston bumps microSD lineup to 1GB
With the obsessive push to make things smaller and smaller, Kingston is cramming 1GB of storage in its latest microSD card. Trailing behind SanDisk -- which has already released its own ultra-spacious microSD cards in 1GB and 2GB flavors -- Kingston is just now making the jump to a gig. Just in case you haven't forked out for that svelte Chocolate phone yet, the minuscule card comes bundled with a full sized SD adapter for use in "older" digicams and media readers. If you've been avoiding the SanDisk offerings (and their steep pricetags), you'll probably be delighted to find that Kingston's 1GB version is not only available now, but will only set you back $55.
Kingston launches Mini Fun flash drives
We're not sure if Kingston is making a statement about the entertainment to be had from owning a USB flash drive (especially those pre-loaded with a couple of simple puzzle and adventure games), or if they really think "mini" and "fun" are both good qualifiers to brand a lineup of unusually shaped storage peripherals, but we can say with some certainty that their vaguely LEGO-like Mini Fun flash drives will run you between $15 and $33 for between 256MB and 1GB of storage. It's summer time, live a little, have some, um, fun.
Kingston announces K-PEX media player
Perhaps a bit jealous of fellow memory manufacturer SanDisk's successes in the portable audio space, Kingston is breaking in with their own portable media device. Titled the K-PEX (Kingston Portable Entertainment eXperience), the unit sports a 2-inch LCD, SD card slot, and about all the video and audio codec support you could ask for. Weighing 2.3-ounces, the device manages a lot for its size: a built-in mic and speakers are included, and you can hook up your camera via USB to pull off pictures on the go. You wouldn't be wrong to think this thing looks like a certain portable gaming device; Kingston is packing in two games with the device, and while third party support is never a given, we're guessing there should be a few more options down the road. We're not sure on date or price just yet, but the K-PEX should be coming to the US "soon" in 1GB and 2GB capacities.
Kingston 2GB U3 Data Traveler includes ACDSee, Pass2Go
The U3 standard for mobile applications continues to gain steam, with Kingston being just one of the latest to add another U3-compatible flash drive to its lineup. The U3 Data Traveler, now in capacities of up to 2GB, comes bundled with mobile versions of the Pass2Go password manager, the ACDSee image browsing application and the Zinio e-reader. It would be nice if Kingston could also throw in mobile versions of apps like Firefox and Thunderbird, but it's easy enough to download them from the U3 site. Kingston's a little vague on whether the software on the drive consists of free "lite" versions, or trials of the full-featured programs, so don't be surprised if you're hit with nags after using the drive for a while. The 1GB version has an MSRP of $47, while the 2GB goes for $75.