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Satechi's Bluetooth Wireless Smart Keypad will excite your accountant
In the beginning (of the Mac), there was no numeric keyboard on the keyboard. If you wanted to type numbers, you used the number row on the keyboard of your Mac 512KE. Then some accountant and financial types got interested in Macs because of an application called Microsoft Excel, which shipped for Mac in September of 1985 but didn't show up on PCs until November of 1987. The result? Mac keyboards started showing up with numeric keypads. Lately, though, those nice little wireless keyboards from Apple have been missing the keypad. Now Satechi has introduced the Bluetooth Wireless Smart Keypad (US$49.99, special intro pricing of $34.99), a Bluetooth 3.0 keypad that will make your favorite accountant more giddy than if she got a request to audit your books. The Wireless Smart Keypad is designed to match the appearance of Apple's Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. As such, it is made of aluminum-colored plastic with white keys and black numbers. The device runs on two AAA batteries -- there are no figures available from Satechi on exactly how long those batteries will last under normal usage. Rather than being just a keypad, the Wireless Smart Keypad is also a four-function calculator with memory, so it has a very legible (but non-backlit) LCD for showing calculation results. The addition of the calculator display extends the depth of the keypad so that it doesn't match up with the dimensions of Apple's keyboard and trackpad. If I had been designing the Wireless Smart Keypad, I would have deleted the display since a) it probably uses most of the battery power and b) that would make it about the same depth as the Apple devices. Most Mac users probably use the built-in Calculator app or a really good calculator like PCalc ($9.99) anyway, so why go all 1970s on us and slap a 4-function memory calculator into this product? The keys on the keypad are the same size as those on the Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard, with the exception of the double-wide zero key. The keypad is in the traditional "ten key pad" layout and will be very familiar to your favorite accountant (if there is such a thing...). The feel of the Satechi keypad is quite nice, and the oversized Enter key makes it simple to enter data into a spreadsheet or complete calculations without having to look at the keys. Conclusion Satechi's new Wireless Smart Keypad is a good buy for those who need to enter a lot of numbers into spreadsheets or accounting software. Pros Color of case and keys match the Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard and Magic Trackpad Keys have a good feel, and the layout of the keys is instantly familiar to anyone who has used a ten key pad before At $34.99, the keypad is reasonably priced. At $49.99, it's overpriced, as there are competing ten key pads that are available for $10 - $15 less. Cons The calculator seems unnecessary and detracts from the design of the keypad The keypad should use a rechargeable internal battery or a solar panel for power, not disposable AAA batteries Calculator display should be backlit Who is it for? Your accountant, of course! And if you buy him/her one of these to use with a favorite Mac or PC, perhaps they'll find a nice tax credit for you... Giveaway Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before September 7, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Satechi Bluetooth Wireless Smart Keypad valued at $49.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Satechi 7 Port USB 3.0 Premium Aluminum Hub looks good, works well
Satechi is now shipping a new 7 Port USB 3.0 Premium Aluminum Hub ($69.99 MSRP, on sale for $54.99) that matches good looks with the speed of USB 3.0. The company came out with a 10 port USB hub earlier this year that comes in a black plastic case and sports special switches for turning various banks of ports on and off; the new hub matches the good looks of most Apple products while also doing away with the extraneous switches. Design If the Satechi 10 port USB hub is an 18-wheel tractor trailer rig, the 7 port aluminum hub is a fast German sports car. It looks great -- there are actually two versions, both made of aluminum but one dolled up with white plastic highlights and the other with black. Both hubs come with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 cable to connect the hub to your Mac, allowing (according to the specs) data rates of up to 5 Gbps. This is a powered hub, so an AC power "brick" that is almost larger than the hub itself is included. The power plug is on the right end of the hub, while the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 cable plugs into the other end. The 7 ports are on the angled top of the hub. Unlike the 10-port hub on which each port lights up when something is plugged into it, there's only one LED on this hub that indicates that the hub is plugged in and ready to go. It's totally plug and play, with no drivers required. Functionality The power adapter included with the 7 port hub is smaller than the huge one included with the 10 port model, but I'd still like to see something smaller and less obtrusive. Frankly, it's rare when an accessory manufacturer pays attention to details like a power adapter. More companies should take Apple's lead on this... The blue LED on the front of the hub is rather bright -- I could actually see it glowing in my office when I was in my nearby bedroom last night. Light sleepers might want to put a piece of duct tape over the LED. As with the bigger Satechi hub, there are no speed differences compared to being plugged straight into the computer. I like the angled front of the hub; it actually makes plugging USB 3.0 cables a bit easier than with the other hub. I'm also happy that Satechi chose to make this hub out of aluminum. The 10 port model picked up fingerprints easily, while this one doesn't. Conclusion While the Satechi 7 port USB 3.0 premium aluminum hub is a bit pricey even at the current sale price, it's an attractive addition to any current Mac and does its job well. Pros 7 ports are sufficient for most Mac users Aluminum body is durable and doesn't pick up fingerprints Very attractive design Angled front makes it easy to connect and remove cables Cons Rather pricey, considering ugly off-brand USB 3.0 hubs with 7 ports can be had for as little as $32 Power LED is bright and may be distracting in a dark room AC adapter is bulky Who is it for? The Mac owner who wants an attractive USB 3.0 hub and is willing to spend a little bit more for the luxury
Satechi adds aluminum 7-port USB 3.0 hub to its product line
Now that USB 3.0 has become mainstream in the Mac market, we're hearing about a lot more USB 3.0-based drives and accessories. Of course, once you've run out of ports on your Mac, you either need to swap devices or get yourself a hub. Satechi, the company that wowed us with a 10-port USB 3.0 hub earlier this year, has just announced the 7-port USB 3.0 Premium Aluminum Hub (US$69.99, specially priced now for $54.99). Made from aluminum and echoing the design of Apple's Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, the hub is perfect for any of your favorite Macs, from the thin MacBook Air to the latest iMac. It's powered through an included wall adapter, and comes with either white or black trim. Best of all, it's available now through Satechi's website and Amazon.
Satechi 10-Port USB 3.0 Hub delivers the goods in a fast package
Satechi has always made impressive accessories like the 12-port USB 2.0 hub that Mike Rose reviewed last year. Now, the company is delivering speed and a plethora of ports for those with USB 3.0-equipped Macs with a new 10-Port USB 3.0 Hub (US$69.99, currently on sale for $59.99). Let's take a look at this beast and see how it works with a new iMac. Design Like the 12-port hub that Mike reviewed, the USB 3.0 Hub is surprisingly good-looking. Yeah, I know that a USB hub isn't something you'd normally get excited about, but this one is impressive. Nine of the USB ports are arranged in groups of three on the top of the unit, with a set of switches that can be used to turn those groups on or off -- perfect for those situations when you don't need to keep a peripheral powered up unnecessarily. So where's the other port? It's a special port built into one end of the hub with the amperage necessary to quickly charge an iPad. The nine ports on the top of the unit are all equipped with blue LEDs to indicate which banks of ports are turned on, and more LEDs to let you know when a specific port is in use. %Gallery-184283% The hub supports USB 3.0, meaning you can expect transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps. It's equipped with its own power supply so you can be sure that all of your bus-powered devices (such as external hard disk drives) are getting the juice they need. Size-wise, the hub runs about 8.5" long, 1" high, and 1.75" deep. In addition to that iPad-specific USB port on one end, there's a power switch for turning the entire gizmo on or off, while the other end features a USB 3.0 SuperSpeed port and the power connection. With the hub, Satechi thoughtfully provides a monster power supply, a USB 3.0 cable, and some Velcro for attaching the hub to a surface. Functionality When I said "monster power supply" in the previous paragraph, I meant it. This thing supports up to 5000 mA of current, and it's good-sized. It was so large that I couldn't get it through the port in the back of my desk that I snake power cords and supplies through. Fortunately, I was able to use some string and ingenuity to lift the skinny end of the cord up to the hub and plug it in. I also found the AC two-prong plug on the other end of the power supply to be loose-fitting in the socket. Once I had seven different cables plugged into the hub, it was time to give it a try. The blue LEDs that light up the USB sockets and indicate live connections were not as bright as I had anticipated, which is a good thing. I'm not sure that bright blue LEDs lighting up a room would be desirable. Speed-wise, I noticed no differences compared to being plugged right into the back of the iMac. What's nice is that all but one of the USB 3.0 ports on my iMac are now empty and that all of the USB cables are now sitting in view as I work with the iMac. For testing USB 3.0 devices, I'll no longer have to yank cables out of the back of the iMac to make a port available. My only other gripe is that the shiny plastic exterior of the hub collects fingerprints and dust that are quite visible. I'd suggest that Satechi look at making future models with a matte finish that could resist fingerprints. Conclusion Now that Apple is supporting USB 3.0 on a growing number of Macs and many external peripherals are turning to the faster standard, it's about time that some manufacturer came out with a USB hub with a decent number of powered ports. The Satechi 10-Port USB 3.0 Hub looks like it will be a popular accessory for a lot of Mac users. Pros Nine ports plus a dedicated high current port for recharging an iPad Utilizes the fast USB 3.0 standard Unobtrusive blue LEDs indicate what ports are currently turned on and in use Banks of ports can be shut off to save power Cons Power supply didn't appear to be of very good quality and was physically large Who is it for? Anyone with a new Mac that supports USB 3.0 who needs more than just a handful of ports
Satechi Smart Trigger: iOS-compatible DSLR timer remote
Satechi has just started shipping the new Smart Trigger, a US$44.99 Bluetooth add-on that makes it simple to turn your iOS device into a timer remote for your DSLR. Design The Smart Trigger comes in five different versions, all of which work with a specific set of DSLRs. For my test, I was using a Canon EOS Rebel T4i camera, which used the "C" variant of the device. Strangely enough, there's nothing on the outside of the box that indicates exactly what camera it's supposed to work with... The device includes a small receiver powered by a pair of AAA batteries that sits in the hot shoe mount on your camera. A coiled connecting cable (two different ones were included) is plugged into the receiver on one end and the camera's remote port on the other end. %Gallery-183234% There's a free accompanying app -- Satechi includes a QR code on the product box, which assumes that every iOS user with a DSLR also has a QR code reading app on their device. Note to Apple: when are you going to build in a QR code reading capability for iOS? Fortunately, it's easy to search for Smart Trigger in the App Store to download the app. The Smart Trigger won't work with all iOS devices. It's compatible with the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 3 and 4, iPad mini, and 5th generation iPod touch. Why would a photographer wish to use a remote triggering device like this? Because it helps to reduce camera shake since the photographer isn't pressing the shutter release button, because the app can be useful in doing long exposures, and because it enables a way to easily set up time-lapse photographs. Functionality The Smart Trigger is quite easy to set up; in fact, the hardest part was figuring out how to shut the door on the battery compartment. There's a button on top of the device that's used reconnect to the currently paired device (most likely a nice portable iPhone), put the receiver into sleep mode, or set up the Smart Trigger to pair with another iOS device. The Smart Trigger uses Bluetooth 4.0, giving it a 50-foot radius of operation and pairing that just takes a pair of taps to complete. One tap on a scan button in the app finds the Smart Trigger and displays it, another tap finishes the pairing process. There are three different shot modes available in the app: regular, manual, and timed. Regular Shot mode is useful for taking photos without having a hand on the shutter release button, which means that those shots taken from a tripod will have less shake and that you can also "push the button" while you're posing for a self-portrait. The Manual Shot mode has additional controls, letting DSLR users focus their cameras through the app, lock the shutter open and take long exposures. As the manual for the Smart Trigger notes, this is perfect for light painting or photos of star trails. Finally, Timed Shot Mode is used to turn your iPhone into an "intervalometer" -- in other words, letting you take shots at pre-determined intervals. Timed Shot Mode actually has three sub-settings: Delay, for setting the amount of time before the first exposure is captured; Bulb, which controls how long the shutter is held open; and Interval, controlling the amount of time between exposures. There is also a setting for how many images you want to take in a sequence, all the way up to "infinite" in which the shots keep on coming until you tap the shutter control button to stop the camera. With my Canon EOS Rebel T4i, the app and features worked perfectly. In Manual Shot mode, tapping the focus button actually worked like depressing the shutter button on the camera by allowing it to autofocus on an object. The Timed Shot mode looks incredibly useful -- it took only moments to set it up for a one minute delay and then taking five images at a 5 second interval. One thing DSLR owners should be aware of when using Timed Shot mode is that they should turn off any "auto power off" function on their camera to insure that the camera is able to function properly. Satechi notes that the use of Bluetooth 4.0 "Smart" connectivity, those two AAA batteries in the device should last a long time in normal use -- two to ten years. Conclusion With the Smart Trigger, Satechi has created an accessory that should be in the camera bag of every DSLR owner. With a full feature set and extremely reasonable price, the Smart Trigger is a valuable helper for any intermediate to professional photographer. Pros Easy to use and set up Long battery life in the device Excellent Bluetooth range Included app is well-implemented and fairly self-explanatory Price is a bargain considering the functionality Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Any intermediate, advanced or professional photographer who wants to use an iOS device as an intelligent Bluetooth remote control for a DSLR
Hubs du jour: A couple of USB 2.0 offerings
A pair of USB 2.0 hubs arrived at TUAW Central today for testing and review. If you're thinking that I may have mistyped USB 3.0, unfortunately I didn't -- for some reason, Mac accessory manufacturers seem to forget that new Macs are equipped with the faster USB 3.0 ports. For a USB 2.0 hub, the Satechi Premium 4-port Aluminum hub is actually quite striking in looks. It's an unpowered USB 2.0 four-port hub, styled to perfectly match your Apple keyboard or MacBook Air. As you can see in the photo above, Satechi's offering even has round burnished aluminum disks on the sides like those that you see on the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. It's a pretty little thing and I quite like how the ports naturally lie within easy access. You can pick one up for $28 at Amazon. That's a bit pricey for what it is -- an unpowered four-port hub after all -- but gosh if it isn't lovely to look at, convenient to use and super-nice to feel. This is, basically, Apple candy and it would make a perfect gift for the Apple aficionado in your life. The NewerTech 7-port USB 2.0 powered hub ($28) offers 4.0 Amps, delivering a full-powered solution for most users. It's an absolutely standard-looking hub, and its big feature is its dedicated high-powered charging port, built for both iPhones and iPads. I plugged my aging first-gen iPad in the NewerTech hub and it had no problems charging up, even after I connected a bunch of other items to the other available ports. NewerTech's offering seemed to be better built than the cheap no-name seven-port hubs you normally find on Amazon, and the iPad-friendly super-port is a nice feature to have. So there you have it -- two USB 2.0 hubs that might come in handy for use with your existing Mac. Stay tuned to TUAW for a future look at hubs that work with more recent Macs featuring the newer USB 3.0 ports.
Satechi Portable Energy Station 10000: The Strategic Reserve for your devices
If you need portable power and don't want to spend a fortune, then you should take a closer look at Satechi's US$60 Portable Energy Station 10000. The portable charging unit packs a high-capacity 10,000 mAh battery with 2A output that'll charge an iPad and an iPhone at the same time. Design The Satechi Portable Energy Station 10000 has a long, rectangular shape with glossy black surfaces and aluminum trim on the sides. It's not pocketable, but does fit in a purse, small bag or briefcase. The Portable Energy Station 10000 includes two USB ports on the side of the device, so you can charge two devices at once. The sides are also home to a mini-USB charging port that is used to recharge the power pack and a single power button that you can use to turn off the battery when you are not using it. On the front of the device are five, blue-colored LEDs that tell you the charge status of the battery. The LEDs are bright enough for you to see, but subtle enough that you can use the device on your desk and not be distracted by the blue flash. The build quality of the Portable Energy Station 10000 is decent for the price. It does feel plasticky in your hand, but it's a hard plastic that doesn't creak or bend when you touch it. The device also has some heft thanks to the robust battery inside, but it won't weigh you down. The aluminum fared pretty well in my testing, but the black glossy surfaces scratched easily. I wasn't harsh with the device, but I did use it in my car, at my desk and carried it in the main compartment of my Maxpedition bag when I was out and about. After about a week of using it regularly, the device had a fair number of scratches. Functionality The Satechi is a portable power station and includes two USB ports to power your device. One of those ports delivers a standard 1A output that'll charge your iPhone or iPod touch. The other port delivers 2A and will charge an iPad. If you have both an iPad and iPhone, you can charge both at once. Charge times for devices were acceptable, with a fully discharged iPad 3 reaching a full charge in about eight hours. The iPhone 4S also took a little over two hours to charge from a fully discharged state to 100 percent. When you have two devices connected, charge times were slower, but the convenience of being able to charge two devices at once outweighs the slight increase in charge time. The Satechi was also excellent at letting you use your device while charging. With both the iPhone 4S and the iPad 3, I was able to trickle charge my iOS device while using WiFi, GPS, a web browser and a music player. Depending on your usage, the Satechi also lasted for several charge cycles. One more than one occasion, I charged my iPad to an acceptable level and then handed the Satechi to my husband who used it to charge his iPhone while he was away for the morning. When he returned, I could then finish off the iPad charge cycle and still have 20 percent left on the power pack. Once the Satechi's battery is depleted, it takes several hours to recharge the internal 10,000 mAh battery. One useful feature of the Portable Energy Station 10000 is the LED charging meter on the front of the device. The meter includes five blue LEDS and each LED is equal to 20 percent battery capacity. When the Satechi is charging a device, the lights will flash in a pattern that shows you the battery pack is on and charging. The Portable Energy Station 10000 also flashes the current battery capacity, so you know if it is full (all five LEDs) or almost empty (one LED). Though useful, the power status of the Satechi was sometimes difficult to read as the light from one of the blue LEDs would bleed over into the next one. You don't notice the bleed over when the power pack is at full or near full capacity. When the power pack drained to 20 percent, though, you had to look closely to confirm it was just one and not two lights flashing. You can tap the power button and it will pause the charge and show the current battery capacity. Tap the button again and the charging will continue. The power button also lets you turn off the Satechi, which is useful for maintaining the charge state of the power pack. In my testing, I could power off the Satechi for over a week and it held its charge. The Portable Energy Station 10000 works with iOS devices as well as other mainstream phones and tablets. The Portable Energy Station 10000 comes with a USB cable and USB wall adapter that you use to recharge the power pack. This cable has replaceable ends and can be used to charge devices when it is plugged into the Energy Station 10000. The package ships with six charging tips including a 30-pin connector, mini-USB and micro-USB. There's also a soft bag that'll hold the charger and its accessories. Conclusion Satechi's Portable Energy Station 10000 is an excellent addition to a traveler's arsenal of gadgets. It's not too bulky and delivers an impressive amount of power for charging multiple devices. It will save your hide when you need a quick charge while you are out and about. It's also perfect for trips which require you to be away from a power source for an extended period of time. Pros The Portable Energy Station 10000 fits easily in a bag, charges your iPhone and iPad at the same time and includes charging tips for other devices. It also lasts a long time and holds its charge over time, so you can charge a device multiple times before you have to recharge the power pack. Cons In my usage, the surfaces of the Portable Energy Station 10000 scratched easily. The power status of the Satechi was sometimes difficult to read as the light from one of the blue LEDs would bleed over into the next one. Who is it for? iPhone and iPad owners who travel or work in the field and need a reliable power source wherever they go. %Gallery-167571%
Satechi's Swift BT Speaker provides some impressive functionality in a very affordable package
The Satechi Swift BT Speaker is a surprisingly affordable little speaker (at just $29.99) that performs quite well. It's small and fairly stylish, and though its functions are about what you'd expect from a Bluetooth speaker, the Swift accomplishes them with an understated flair that I really appreciated. Setup is pretty standard for any Bluetooth device. You need to turn the speaker on, hold down a button for six seconds to put it into pairing mode, and then flip your iPhone's Bluetooth on and pair it up. Once that's done, the Swift works almost automatically. Whenever you're in signal, the speaker will connect up to the phone, and you can share audio signals between the two devices. The best use I can think of for a speaker like this is just to have it sitting on a desk at work or home, someplace where your hands might be typing or writing rather than holding your phone all the time. Whenever a call comes in, you can just press a button on the Swift speaker to answer it, and then it all works as you'd expect. Speak into the integrated microphone, and listen to the other side of the conversation from the speaker. In my short time testing the Swift, I found that it worked best the closer I was to the unit, so yelling across the room probably isn't ideal. But again, if the speaker's sitting on your desk already, you should be able to place it close enough where you can speak directly into the mic without a problem. You can also use the Swift for voice dialing, and you can redial from the speaker, reject a call (by holding down the button for longer than usual), or even send the voice back to the phone itself. The mic on the unit can also be muted, which might be ideal for long conference calls. Finally, you can also stream music to the speaker over Bluetooth -- the tunes I streamed sounded just fine with an impressively solid bass. The quality isn't incredible, but especially if you're already in a work environment, it's good enough just to have something to listen to. If you really cared about audio quality, however, you'd be much better off investing in an actual stereo system or, more likely, some quality headphones. I was quite impressed by the Swift speaker. I don't normally bother with speaker calling, but I could definitely imagine keeping this on my desk and using it (especially because my cell phone's signal happens to be terrible where I usually sit; with this, I could keep my phone across the room and answer it when it rings right through the speaker). The one big drawback is battery life: The Swift speaker itself has up to 300 hours of standby time, but only three or four hours of talk or music playback time. The speaker comes with a USB charging cable, however, so it's possible you could just find an open USB port and let it stay plugged in. The Bluetooth service will also cost your iPhone's battery a little bit, but depending on how often you use the speaker, that cost may be worth it. For a price of just $29.99, I highly recommend Satechi's BT speaker. If you've been looking for a way to more comfortably deal with your phone, especially at a desk in a private office or someplace where you won't bother anyone around you (please don't be that guy on the speakerphone in a bunch of cubicles), the Swift speaker could be really useful. As it is, I can see myself using it in my own work. The next time you call me, I may just press a button on this little device, rather than having to run and get my phone from wherever I last left it.
Satechi introduces Portable Energy Station to add some power to your travels
Peripherals maker Satechi has introduced the Portable Energy Station, a 10,000 mAh battery that'll solve some of your power woes on the go. The 1 Amp USB port will recharge nearly all of your smartphones and PMPs, while a second 2 Amp port will maintain pace with your iPad or other hefty tablet. Despite that capacious battery, it's a slender 7.4 ounces and should tuck neatly into your bag -- once you've picked it up for $50, that is.
Satechi's Portable Energy Station ups the ante for external power
Just about every time I turn around, there's another new external battery pack for iOS devices that has more storage capacity than the previous capacity leader. Yesterday, accessory manufacturer Satechi came out with the Portable Energy Station, a relatively inexpensive (US$49.95) external battery pack with a huge battery capacity. Like the $99.95 mophie juice pack powerstation duo, the Portable Energy Station has two USB ports enabling charging of two devices at once. However, Satechi has managed to squeeze 10,000 mAh of power into their device -- 4,000 mAh more than the mophie product. One of the two ports on the Portable Energy Station can handle 1 Amp of current (enough to charge an iPhone or iPod touch), while the other puts out 2 Amps and can handle charging an iPad. With all of that power, the Portable Energy Station is still incredibly lightweight. It weighs just 7.4 ounces, and takes up only 5.5" x 2" x .75" of volume in your computer bag. The Satechi Portable Energy Station is available today, and we'll have a review of the device in the near future.
Satechi BT Media Remote steers your iOS media habits, summons Siri via Bluetooth
Sometimes you just don't feel like getting up to flip through that Yacht Rock playlist on Spotify while your Apple slate rests comfortably in its dock. Satechi is looking to prolong your relaxation with its BT Media Remote for your iPhone, iPad or Mac. The accessory does exactly what you'd expect -- it allows you to peruse your audio and video libraries on a Bluetooth-enabled iOS device while connected to a TV, docking station or your car's stereo. On top of the usual remote functions, the accessory can be used as a remote camera shutter control for those all-important group shots and the home button can summon your smartphone's personal assistant. Interested? You can snag yours now for a mere $40 via the source link below.
Friday Favorite: Satechi 12-port USB Hub
It's rare to come up with a Friday Favorite for something as seemingly ho-hum as a USB hub, but this particular model caught my eye a while ago when a colleague brought it with him on a project. "What is that?" I asked, wonderingly. The blue glow of the ports was so hypnotic that I nearly missed his explanation, "It's my favorite USB hub; I bring it with me everywhere." The Satechi 12-port hub wouldn't look out of place on the control deck of the Death Star. It comes in one color -- black -- and features two banks of ports that glow enticingly when switched on for power via the twin rocker switches at the back end of the unit. One bank includes six ports atop the hub; the second bank has five on top and one front-facing port. You can use the hub with or without the power adapter, but with it connected you can support self-powered devices; you can charge an iPhone (or multiple iPhones) with ease. iPads will trickle-charge ("No Charging" indicator on screen) but, like most hubs, the Satechi unit doesn't support the double-wattage port spec that the iPads need for rapid charge. You may not think you need twelve USB ports, but if you're dealing with flash drives or other peripherals, or if you have a MacBook Air and want to maximize your expansion options, the Satechi hub is a perfect fit. The hub currently retails for US$27.99 and comes with a power adapter and a one-meter extension cable. You can check out our other Friday Favorites, hardware and software alike, here.
Satechi's Cup Holder Mount keeps your iPad and iPhone close at hand
So, your Family Truckster is loaded with sixteen cup holders in various places. Since you already have a place to stash your hot coffee while driving, wouldn't it be nice to use one of those cup holders for something really useful, like holding your iPad or iPhone within arm's reach? Satechi yesterday delivered the SCH-121 Cup Holder Mount (US$29.99), which comes with two cradles, one for 7" - 10" tablets and the other for your smartphone. While you don't exactly want to be going down the road watching movies on your iPad, this is perfect for the back seat crowd, front row passengers, or for those who need access to an iPad when they're stopped at a worksite. Being able to swap out the cradles for iPad and iPhone provides a lot of flexibility. I can see using one of these to keep the spouse happy with her iPad on long driving trips, while the iPhone cradle will keep me on the right track with GPS apps while keeping the phone out of the hot sun on my dashboard. The Cup Holder Mount is available either from Satechi's website or Amazon.com, although it hasn't shown up on the former yet. I'll be doing a review of the mount in the near future.
Satechi BT Wireless Pocket Speaker review
Small Bluetooth speakers for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad seem to be the current rage. Recently, I did a review of the Logitech Mini Boombox, an amazing small speaker that packs a punch. However, I felt that the bass end on that speaker was bit on the weak side. Satechi has recently come out with the new BT Wireless Pocket Speaker (US$44.99) with a unique patented fold-out resonator that is designed to boost the bass without increasing the size of the speaker. How did this work? Read on for a full review of this little speaker. Design The design of the Satechi BT Wireless Pocket Speaker is completely unique. It's a small four-sided blob that is reminiscent of a small turtle. There are no visible buttons -- they're hidden under a chrome bezel strip that winds its way around the exterior of the device. On top of the speaker is a rounded area that, when rotated, causes a resonator to pop out. While the drawings in the user manual seem to show the resonator more than doubling the height of the speaker, it actually only pops up about a half-inch. The Pocket Speaker comes with a USB to mini-USB cable for charging, as well as a small pouch for protection. On the bottom of the speaker is a short cable that neatly tucks into place if you'd prefer to plug the Pocket Speaker into your iPhone's headphone jack or chain several of the Pocket Speakers together to make an über-speaker. %Gallery-142467% It's cute, it's tiny, and it is attractively priced. But how does the Satechi BT Wireless Pocket Speaker sound? Functionality The speaker pairs with your iPhone, iPad, or pretty much any Bluetooth device. The pairing process is simple -- you press and hold the power button (designated by the universal power icon on the chrome bezel) until you see the blue light flashing. Once that happens, going into Settings > General > Bluetooth reveals the unpaired device, and typing in 0000 as the pairing code makes the connection. Unlike the more expensive Mini Boombox, the Pocket Speaker is not a stereo speaker. Basically, you're getting monaural sound from the device and hooking up more of them in series is only going to give you monaural sound from a bunch of speakers. Multiple speakers would make the sound louder, but wouldn't give it true stereo. The volume is adjusted either on the device or using the Music app controls. I found it worked best to turn the Pocket Speaker's volume to the maximum and then use the Music controls to adjust the level. The maximum volume on the Pocket Speaker isn't all that loud. While the Logitech Mini Boombox would work admirably to blast music at a noisy party, the Pocket Speaker would probably be drowned out by conversation. I didn't find the sound quality to be as good as that of the Mini Boombox either -- a side by side comparison showed that the resonator on the Pocket Speaker, while a good idea, just didn't add any "punch" to the bass. Both of the speakers are rather weak and low in terms of bass, but that just seems to be a side effect of small size. Like many of the other speakers of this type, the Pocket Speaker can be used as a speaker phone for your iPhone as well. The same button that allows you to turn up the volume or go to the next track on a playlist also answers an incoming call, while the play/pause and power button also serves to reject or end a call. Note that the Pocket Speaker doesn't have a built-in microphone -- instead, it's using the microphone on your iPhone. Finally, the speaker "Safety Rules" in the owner's manual gave me a good laugh, especially rule number 3 -- "Take note that this speaker is not edible and should not be placed in your mouth." Conclusion This is without a doubt the smallest Bluetooth speaker that I've seen so far, and it works reasonably well. The small size of it keeps the bass sounding rather weak despite the innovative design of the resonator, and it's not a stereo speaker, so if you're looking for big bass and good stereo separation, look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you just need a small travel speaker that doesn't take up a lot of room, works as a speaker phone, and has an eye-catching design, then the Pocket Speaker might be the one for you. The low price is also a plus for the Pocket Speaker. Satechi also has an even smaller speaker that is designed for the iPhone and iPod touch -- the SD Mini Portable Pocket Speaker -- that sells for $29.99. Kudos to Satechi for creating these tiny speakers and making them affordable for everyone.