usb hub
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Belkin starts shipping the Network USB Hub
It was supposed to ship in June, but it looks like Belkin is finally shipping the Network USB Hub this week. The five-port USB hub "simulates a direct USB connection" that allows you to use all your USB devices over the network -- and special caching software even lets you use USB 2.0 devices at full speed. Looks like Windows users can nab one of these now for $129 -- Mac users are still waiting on driver support.[Via PC World]
United Pepper unveils eco-friendly webcam, USB hub
At first glance, suckers for all things cute may fall for Lili and Oscar even before knowing the story behind them, but these two peripherals not only provide animalistic replacements for those vanilla USB hubs and webcams, they promote eco-friendliness, too. According to United Pepper (which is partnering with EuroTech), Oscar (the USB hub) and Lili (that'd be the webcam) arrive in four different colors, are constructed from recyclable materials, and are produced "in a fair trade environment." Moreover, the webcam touts a 1.3-megapixel sensor and a built-in microphone, while Oscar boasts four USB 2.0 ports for connecting up an array of input peripherals. Both creatures are slated to land in the UK this month, and while Lili will cost £30 ($60), Oscar will be available for just £20 ($40). [Warning: PDF read link][Via SciFiTech]
Logitech's new AudioHub Notebook Speaker System
Logitech is filling a questionable "gap" in the world of USB peripherals today with its new AudioHub device. The 2.1 unit parks itself behind your laptop and pokes out a pair adjustable satellite speakers on each side while the subwoofer hides in the back. There's also a three port USB hub built in, no doubt to make up for the fact that the AudioHub is blocking most of your connections in the back of your laptop. You can of course mute the speakers while continuing to power your USB devices, but that's about all for functionality -- other than a bit of cable management in the back. AudioHub does seem like a decent "dock" solution for most casual users, and the $100 price isn't horrible, but we're not expecting this guy to revolutionize the cheesy USB gadget industry just yet.%Gallery-7285%
Lindy's Data Dock hot swaps all kinds of junk
Do you ever find yourself staring down at your drive bays, watching as the lazy, single purpose hard drive does its work and think, "Man, I wish I could swap that thing out for a USB hub when it's done spinning."? Well, the clever folks at Lindy have answered your prayers by creating the USB 2.0 Data Dock. The premise is simple: the Dock installs into your standard, 3.5-inch bay and provides two open "slots" which you can use for either a 2.5-inch swappable drive enclosure, a four port USB hub, or a multi-format card reader -- all of which are provided. Additionally, once the modules are swapped out, they can be plugged directly into another system (or the same system) via a typical USB connection. Available now for £49.99 (about $101).[Via SlashGear]
D-Link intros DUB-9240 wireless USB kit
Hot on the heels of several other wireless USB hubs, D-Link is making sure it joins the party with time to spare as it unveils the DUB-9240 kit. The two-piece assemblage consists of the DUB-1210 wireless USB adapter and the DUB-2240 four-port wireless USB hub, and together they enable your machine to connect to USB peripherals sans wires. The unit promises to function within a 30-foot range, and operates on a frequency range of 3.4GHz to 4.5GHz in order to not interfere with any surrounding WiFi signals. Additionally, up to three more DUB-2240s can be connected to the first for a wireless USB overload blowout, and you'll have plenty of time to dream up such a setup while waiting for these to ship in Q4 for $119.99 apiece, or $219.99 for the pair.[Thanks, Allen]
SolidAlliance's USB 2.0 Engine HUB drives up your geek cred
Oh dork lord incarnate, meet the SolidAlliance 3-port USB Engine Hub. Modeled after a motorcycle engine, SolidA's latest features a kick starter, gear shift, and enough faux-engine revving effects to drive everyone around you nuts. No word on price yet, but it's available starting tomorrow in Japan. Now check the video action after the break.Update: Priced at ¥5,250 or about $43, vroom vroom daddy, vroom vroom.
USB hub opens letters, wakes you up
Never again will you have to suffer the pitiable indignation of owning a USB hub which only has one lowly "hubbing" function. Enter the Shenzhen Sunstars USB hub, letter opener, and alarm clock. Yeah, we know you have actual hands for doing things like opening letters, and a phone or watch for alarms, but are either of those things self-powered with four USB 2.0 ports? We thought not.
Marubeni Infotec knocks on wooden input peripherals
While we doubt a vast majority of you have gone and purchased a wooden PC just yet, a natural tower isn't necessary to enjoy the stained goods that Marubeni Infotec was showing off at Computex. While details concerning pricing, availability, and construction were all but nil, AVing's crew did manage to get its camera up close and personal with some of the wares. On display was a USB keyboard (complete with Scrabble-influenced keys), a number of colorful USB 2.0 flash drives, a multicard reader, and a four-port (we agree, the fourth port is hiding) USB hub. Click on through for shots so close, you can smell the sap.
Belkin Network USB Hub gets official
Right on cue, Belkin has coughed up the official details surrounding the Network USB Hub that we saw last month. As expected, this five-port USB hub will "work with your existing WiFi router to give you wireless access to printers, media readers, and external hard drives by simulating a direct USB connection that makes your computer think that the devices on the network are directly attached to the computer." Moreover, we now know that "special caching techniques" will enable high-speed USB devices to be supported along with isochronous transfers at full speed. The F5L009 is still on track for a June release here in the US, with launches in Asia, Europe, and, Australia to "follow soon," and while Windows users won't have any qualms trying to best the purported "three minute setup time" that this thing promises, OS X users will be pouting 'til September waiting for drivers. Click on through for one last shot.
Brando's 55-in-1 multicard reader doubles as Bluetooth, USB 2.0 hub
Leave it to Brando to upgrade its fine line of chintzy multicard readers yet again, this time adding an additional three cards to its mile long compatibility list and throwing in a USB 2.0 hub as well. Of course, we've already seen the unit acquire Bluetooth and rave lights, but the latest edition doubles as a Bluetooth dongle and provides an extra two USB 2.0 ports to daisy chain your favorite USB-powered gadgetry to your PC. Not a whole lot of reasons to upgrade to this one if you're a proud (or shameful) owner of past iterations, but if you've been looking for the least expensive way to convert your non-BT-enabled machine into one that speaks Bluetooth, all while finding a device that reads and writes to T-Flash, IBM MD, MAGICSTOR, and SDHC (just to name a few), Brando's whiz-bang conglomerate will run you just $29.
Belkin's 802.11n Network USB Hub provides wireless access to accessories
Belkin's well-versed in both the 802.11n and wireless hub arena, so it's about time the firm's engineers put one and one together and cranked out a Network USB Hub. The all black device looks awfully similar to another newfangled 802.11n device floating around, but does manage to take its WiFi abilities to another level by adding in five USB 2.0 ports (two in the front, a trio in the back) so consumers can attach their DAPs, PMPs, iPods, printers, heating devices external storage, and whatever else they feel like accessing remotely. Essentially, the Linux-based device will purportedly allow users to access the connected peripherals sans wires thanks to a software suite that will come bundled in, and for those wondering about a release date, a Windows-compatible version should hit US shelves around June for $130, while UK / OS X users must wait a few extra months to get in on the fun.
Icron rolls out WiRanger wireless USB hub
First announced back in January, Icron's WiRanger wireless USB 2.0 hub has now finally made it out the door, joining the growing number of other cable cutting devices already out there. It doesn't look like the specs have seen any changes since we last heard about it, with the four-port hub boasting the same 802.11g radio on the inside, and promising the same 100 foot range between the hub and the dongle for your USB devices. Not announced last time, however, was the price, although we can now sorta understand why they were keeping it under wraps -- a $395 sticker price isn't exactly the best way to attract interest.
Belkin's USB / iPod hubs neatly plug excess desk holes
Belkin's no stranger to innovative USB hubs, and the outfit seems to have struck gold again with its latest lineup of hole clogging USB / iPod hubs. In an attempt to plug those often unused desk holes which always seem to fall just out of reach when trying to route your myriad of cabling, Belkin's two- and three-inch In-Desk USB Hubs provide a nifty excuse to decorate your aging computer desk whilst adding some much needed (or wanted) functionality. Available in a slanted front-access edition or a flush-mounted version, each of the four-port USB hubs will run users $39.99 whenever Belkin decides to unleash 'em, and for the iPod owners in the house who've somehow avoided another docking solution, the $39.99 In-Desk Dock for iPod provides the obvious connection for syncing / charging while still neatly covering that gaping spot.[Via SciFi]
Microsoft's useless "Designer Series" USB Hub mousepad
Besides the fact that mousepads are technically made obsolete by the existence of optical and laser mice, this is one particularly backwards example of a mousepad. The Microsoft Designer Series 4 Port USB Hub Mousepad is just that: a mousepad with 4 USB ports. About the only thing that it brings to your desk is a bunch of cable clutter, as the Hub itself is only USB 1.1 compatible, and as the image above shows, there's a fair degree of curling at the edge due to its roll-up packaging, and curling has to be the biggest no-no when it comes to mousepads. Move along, nothing to see here.
TrekStor's DataStation maxi t.uch drive does it all
As if you needed any more card readers and USB hubs in your life, TrekStor is busting out this new DataStation maxi t.uch hard drive at CeBIT this week, with a 9-in-1 card reader and a pair of USB ports in tow. The drive comes in 250GB and 400GB versions, and is capable of automatically backing up its own data. This should provide a nice bit of convenience for photogs looking for a quick and convenient way to offload pics from flash memory cards, and the powered USB ports are always nice, but neither addition is earth shattering. You'll be able to pick up a a drive soon, with the 250 gigger going for €120 ($158 US) and the 400 gig at €175 ($230 US).
Earth Trek's USB Tape Dispenser
Ours is not to question why, only to accept the inevitable convergence of USB and pretty much everything else within the vicinity of our PCs. Meet the newly announced 4-port USB 2.0 hub and tape dispenser from Hong Kong's Earth Trek. It comes in large and small versions and can naturally be affixed with your very own logo for some good ol' corporate schwag. Sorry, these devices are not USB powered -- but if you're the type who finds it overly taxing to dispense tape, then maybe you should be looking into a bionic suit. "Coming soon" in several color options for an undisclosed price. [Via Akihabara News]
Rimax's HD Slim backup HDD touts USB hub
Although "one-touch" backup hard drives are becoming all the rage for paranoid parents and data pack-rats who just can't afford to lose a single byte, Rimax is hitting us with a sleek backup drive that also sports a three-port USB hub. The HD Slim features a black aluminum casing, USB 2.0 and external SATA connections, single-button backup functionality, 250GB or 320GB capacities, and PC Clone software for automated backup scheduling. Additionally, the firm throws in all the connectors you'd need to get 'er up and running, and the front-mounted trio of USB 2.0 ports -- while not exactly as impressive as 16 -- provides a welcome hub for three of your most favorite USB-powered devices. Available immediately, the 320GB rendition will run you £139.99 ($275), while the quarter-gigabyte variety demands a slightly lower £119.99 ($236).[Via PCLaunches]
Century's 16-port USB 2.0 hub for two PCs
We've got USB hubs from all walks of life, including wireless, three-port, and duck-inspired, but Century has 'em all topped with its new CHMP-16. This 16-port USB 2.0 hub sports a brick-like design, (obviously) requires separate AC power, and can be connected to two PCs simultaneously. With just the flip of a switch, all 16 of your USB peripherals can instantly be operated on a secondary computer, which just might cause an unstable OS to completely self-destruct. Although we're not sure on how much coinage this thing will demand, we've got to admit, this should be a required purchase for the avid Thanko collector.
LaCie Huby brings the joy of USB and FireWire ports in a wacky stand
Looking for a wacky gadget gift to get your loved one? If you weren't inspired by any of the suggestions in our holiday gift guide, then perhaps the LaCie Huby will bring a smile (if not a raised eyebrow) to his or her face. Taking a page out of the PowerSquid playbook, LaCie has just come out with the Huby (that's pronounced "HUB-ee"), a strange-looking device that is not like your father's USB hub at all. This new post-modern bundle of joy comes with four USB 2.0 ports, two FireWire 400 ports, eight "flexible" USB and FireWire cables, eight "colorful" LEDs, a light and fan (both USB, of course), and a partridge in a pear tree. It'll set you back $80, and won't ship until late December -- we're not sure if that'll make it to you by Chrismahanukwanzakah, but that ain't nothin' that overnight shipping can't fix.[Via EverythingUSB]
LaCie Huby designer USB and FireWire hub
Speaking of objets d'art, here's a product that actually fits the bill. LaCie's new Huby is a very cool looking USB and FireWire combo hub that is sure to be a conversation piece and its flexible "branches" also might help solve some desktop cable management issues - or at the very least, distract you from the mess.The Huby was designed exclusively for LaCie by Ora-Ïto. It's decked out in a glossy white polycarb finish and features 4 USB 2.0 ports, 2 FireWire 400 ports, a USB fan and a USB light. Both USB and FireWire extension cables are also thrown in, for good measure. You can pre-order one now for $79 USD but there's no obvious guarantee it'll ship before Christmas, although LaCie does claim that it will be widely available later this month.What's your take - Hot or not? Personally, I'm a sucker for this sort of thing. As long as it's not crap (like LaCie's portable Porsche drives, which I've found to be very poorly made, no matter how sleek and stylish the enclosure may be), I'll be buying a few.
