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ChargeCard wallet charge cable gets the hands-on treatment
Back in July of 2012 I reported on a Kickstarter project that aimed to put a charger cable into your wallet. That project went way over its funding goal, and the resulting product -- ChargeCard (US$25) -- is now shipping, at least for the iPhone 4/4S and older devices that use the 30-pin Dock connector. Design When Noah Dentzel and Adam Miller teamed up to design the ChargeCard, they had one goal in mind: creating a charger cable that could be stowed in any wallet. They wanted to make the ChargeCard about the same dimensions as a credit card, and they've succeeded. It's a little bit thicker than a regular credit card, but put a credit card on top of the ChargeCard and it disappears. The design features a stiff card that includes the 30-pin connector on one end. In the middle of that card is a flexible piece ending in an open USB connector. Plug the USB end into an available port on your Mac, PC, HDTV or USB outlet, plug the 30-pin connector into the iPhone, and your phone is charging (and syncing via USB, if you still do it the old-fashioned way). When you're finished getting some power for your iPhone, you disconnect both ends of the ChargeCard, snap the flexible part into the stiff card, and pop it back into your wallet. Now you can get a charge anywhere you can find a USB port, without having to drag a cable with you everywhere you go. The ChargeCard guys are also selling a micro-USB version that's perfect for charging your Android phone or possibly even a Mophie Juice Pack, although it's currently backordered and expected to resume shipping in mid-March. There's also an iPhone 5 version in the works that will provide charging through the Lightning port; it's expected in May. Functionality The ChargeCard definitely works as advertised. It slips into a wallet slot, and it charges your iPhone 4/4S when plugged into a USB power source. I like that the designers put a small "adapter" insignia on one side of the ChargeCard so I know which side of the card should be up when plugging into the 30-pin port. It's not a long "cable," only about 4.5 inches long when fully extended, but that's enough to keep your iPhone close by when you're plugged into a laptop USB port. ChargeCard is also designed to hold the weight of your iPhone when it's plugged in, so you can let it dangle freely. Conclusion ChargeCard is a brilliant piece of work, ensuring that you'll always have a charge cable at your fingertips when you need one. Sure, you'll still need to find a USB port to plug one end into, but with a growing number of planes, trains and automobiles equipped with USB power ports, you may not have to look too far. Pros Only 0.1 inch thick (2.54 mm) and the same size as a credit card Marked for proper insertion into the 30-pin Dock connector iPhone 5 version is on the way Cons Durability of the device is uncertain Who is it for? Anyone who would like an unobtrusive iPhone charging cable that is always available
Matrox DS1 is a practical, powerful Thunderbolt dock
During my perambulations on the Macworld/iWorld show floor in February, I chatted face-to-face with a Belkin representative who bravely asserted that the company's $299.99 Thunderbolt Express Dock would be shipping "this month." This would be the same Express Dock that was originally seen in an Intel booth in September of 2011, announced in January of 2012, "upgraded" with an eSATA port in June 2012, and opened for pre-orders with a "shipping next week!" alert (minus its eSATA port) in mid-February 2013. If you've got a calendar nearby, you may have noticed that it's March now -- and the Belkin dock product page still sports a "sign up to be notified when the Express Dock is shipping." So it goes. Meanwhile, the graphics-centric peripheral vendor Matrox has quietly been shipping its Thunderbolt dock block, the DS1, in two flavors (for HDMI or DVI video-out) since the end of 2012. With a sticker price of $249, $50 lower than the vapory Belkin dock -- and with some key feature differences -- it's a worthwhile port expander that you can order today and use with your Thunderbolt-equipped Mac. Design Matrox's expansion kit is a bit boxier and taller than the Belkin design, but keeps the brushed metal look that helps it seem at home alongside a MacBook Air or a Cinema Display. The unit has a sturdy feel, and I wouldn't be concerned about perching a monitor on top of it (a flatscreen monitor, to be sure -- no CRTs, please). The single Thunderbolt port is easily accessible on the front of the device, next to the sole USB 3.0 SuperSpeed port. On the back of the unit, the DS1 is all business. Both models connect to power on the right side, with gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports and convenient audio in & out 1/8" plugs lined up as well. The only difference between the two DS1 models is on the left side of the back panel: you'll get an HDMI port on the HDMI model, and a single-link DVI-D port on the DVI model. The DS1, like most Thunderbolt peripherals, does not ship with a Thunderbolt cable; it works well with Apple's 1.5' (0.5m) $29 jumper. Functionality The DS1 is a fine example of true "plug and play" hardware; no drivers, no configuration and no hassles. My DVI Cinema Display connected cleanly and immediately, with the Mac laptop recognizing its native resolution as though it was connected directly. The front-facing USB 3 port is fully capable of supporting and powering fast USB 3 peripherals, although it's easy to forget that you've got an external drive plugged in when you pull the Thunderbolt cable out of your laptop to hit the road. The Ethernet port shows up just as expected in the Network preference pane, and both audio ports work great with headsets that normally would use a Plantronics USB to audio adapter. The back USB 2 ports also serve their intended function with a minimum of fuss. Build quality was excellent on my review unit, with no rattles or sharp edges. Comparing the Matrox to the Belkin unit, the biggest difference is in the number and variety of ports. Belkin's dock is intended to ship with SuperSpeed 3.0 on all three of its USB ports, compared to the Matrox's lineup of one 3.0 and two older 2.0 ports. The Belkin dock adds a single Firewire 800 port to its bag of tricks as well. Most importantly, Belkin has chosen to make its dock a dual-port Thunderbolt device, allowing passthrough to additional peripherals; Matrox's dock must be the final Thunderbolt device in the chain. This is not as big a disadvantage as it appears, however; the Belkin dock has no video-out option to compare with the Matrox DVI or HDMI port, so a pass-thru is a must for anyone wanting to connect a monitor on the same Thunderbolt chain. On the Matrox side, it's assumed that you'll connect your display to the DS1, which would normally be the terminal Thunderbolt or DisplayPort device anyway. Conclusion If you're already stocking up on USB 3 devices or still have a stock of Firewire drives hanging around, then perhaps the Belkin dock's additional flexibility will merit the higher cost for you. If not, the Matrox DS1 has a solid port lineup and a trouble-free connection story to tell. Pros True plug-and-play Offers most used port lineup Includes video out DVI or HDMI Single front-facing USB 3 port for high-speed peripherals Slightly more affordable Cons No Firewire port No Thunderbolt pass-through Slower USB 2 ports for remaining connections Front-facing Thunderbolt port may cause cable clutter Who is it for Anyone who has been frustrated by cable clutter with Thunderbolt adapters, or who wants the simplicity of plugging in a single connection when docking a MacBook Air or Pro for use at a workstation.
Arm your computer with Mega Buster USB drive
Street Fighter X Mega Man is getting a physical release, sort of, in the best possible container. Next week, Capcom will start selling the 8GB Mega Buster USB drive, a flash drive shaped like Mega Man's weaponized right arm.In addition to (a link to a download of) the freeware game, the $20 drive also comes loaded with digital copies of Mega Man comics, the Mega Man Tribute and Mega Man X Complete Works art books, wallpapers, and a soundtrack. More importantly, it comes with a flash drive shaped like the Mega Buster.
Livescribe 'helper' adds USB Evernote sync, removes some of the point
What? Yes, it's almost as puzzling as it sounds, but Livescribe is demonstrating its pragmatic approach to problem solving. In our review of the WiFi Smartpen, we maligned the sometimes flakey Evernote synchronisation process. Now you can sidestep the convenient (when it worked) wireless sync, and instead plug your WiFi pen into a nearby PC, download some software, and manually upload those hard earned audio snippets and doodles. While this method scribbles out one of the more useful features of a wireless pen, it does mean you'll never lose your notes. Like the important memo about the product rebranding.
Sony patents a Vita with HDMI, USB ports [update]
Sony filed a patent for a Vita that includes HDMI and USB ports. The patent, spotted by Patent Bolt, was filed on February 7 in the US and includes a detailed run-down of the hardware, including the above photo of a Vita with HDMI and USB connection slots (25 and 24, respectively).Update: This configuration matches that of a Vita dev kit, so it could be as simple as patenting that (existing, non-public) model.
MMT offers a mobile monitor for your Mac or iPad
This is the first Macworld for MMT, Mobile Monitor Technologies, and the company is offering a slightly different twist on portable USB monitors. Each is wrapped in brushed aluminum, and each has a nice build quality with what appears to be an outstanding screen. But there's a model with a numeric keypad installed (handy for your laptop), and a model which allows you to show your iPad's screen (for presentations). The Monitor2Go model for iPad is somewhat like a clamshell case, but as you can see from the picture below, it's not really designed as a case. Instead, you have a monitor which you can flip up and swivel 180 degrees around, allowing you to show someone sitting across from your what's on your iPad. There are also USB and HDMI connections, which are handy. The 1,366 x 768 resolution Monitor2Go sells for US$299, while the 1,600 x 900 version sells for $329. Both screens are 15.6 inches diagonally, and both support the iPad 2 and iPad 3 with built-in slots for both. The Field Monitor Pro is the Mac version (seen below), with a numeric keypad built into the aluminum chassis. It's DisplayLink-certified, and according to MMT you can daisy chain up to six of these things off a single USB! The Field Monitor Pro also includes USB and HDMI, and features a resolution of 1,366x768 on a 15.6-inch screen. It retails for $289. We hope to have a hands-on with one or both of these in the future.
Apogee revamps One and Duet audio interfaces for iOS and Mac, updates Quartet to match
Apogee wants bring pro audio interfaces to the mobile realm. To that end, it's coming to NAMM with a trio of options that cover most Apple-bound musicians and podcasters. Its next-generation One interface (seen after the break) can take simultaneous input from both a built-in condenser mic and one device plugged into either an XLR or quarter-inch jack, passing along the resulting tunes to an iOS device or a Mac's USB port. A similarly reworked Duet adds direct iOS connections to the two-input, four-output Duet (above). Full-fledged bands aren't left out of the equation, either -- the existing, four-input Quartet has received iPad support without changing its formula. Lighting-based iOS gear unfortunately requires an adapter, but we'll take consolation in a new Maestro app for iPads that offers control over connections and session monitoring. Producers hoping for more mobility can pick up the Duet or Quartet in February at their respective $595 and $1,295 prices, although they'll have to wait until March to buy the One at $349.
ASUS announces USB stick-sized wireless router, available next month
ASUS apparently revealed this adorable wireless router in the middle of CES, but it's understandable, given the size of the thing, how it might have got lost in the cracks. Thankfully, the WL-330NUL USB pocket router has now resurfaced at Expansys and while it doesn't have a price, you can now register your preorder for the first batch. The router houses a single ethernet port and support for both USB 3.0 and 2.0. Powered by the aforementioned port, the router supports 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz WiFi and measures a meager 65mm in length. The release date is pegged for February 14th, just in time for that special someone -- and their unforgivingly snug laptop bag.
Osungo readies a garden of super-efficient Flower Power USB chargers (hands-on)
It's normally hard to spruce up a USB power charger, but Osungo gave us a pleasant little treat at its CES booth. It's readying a Flower Power series of wall adapters that are unabashedly cute and, more importantly, can save as much as 95 percent of the energy that's wasted when devices already have a full charge. No, it's not extremely sophisticated, but it doesn't have to be to do some good -- and we'll admit that the pseudo-organic cord wrap is a nice touch. Versions are coming with both 1A of current for phones and 2.1A for tablets, and we're told they should be on sale in March. US-friendly adapters will cost about $25 to $30.
TP-Link shows a fleet of beautiful network connectivity devices, we go hands-on
No matter how big or small your network related needs may be, TP-Link appears to be up to the task. The network equipment manufacturer has unleashed a horde of new gear at CES. First up to bat is the AC1750 dual band gigabit router, which features dual USB sharing ports and is capable of wireless speeds of up to 1,750Mbps. Set to release sometime in Q2, the AC1750 is also equipped with a built-in media server that allows users to stream and share media through a PC, PS3, or Xbox 360. Next on the company's list of new products is its Mini Pocket Router. While moonlighting as a USB charger, this pint-sized device allows users to exchange and share files connected to the same local network. Reaching speeds of up to 300Mbps, this little router that could is slated to go on sale in Q3.
USB 3.0 enhancement to bring 10Gbps transfers, backward compatibility in mid-2013
Don't call it USB 4.0. Here in Las Vegas, the USB 3.0 Promoter Group announced the development of a SuperSpeed USB (that's USB 3.0, if you're curious) enhancement that will "add a much higher data rate, delivering up to twice the data through-put performance of existing SuperSpeed USB over enhanced, fully backward compatible USB connectors and cables." This supplement to the USB 3.0 specification is anticipated to be completed by the middle of this year, bringing along a new 10Gbps data rate, improved data encoding for more efficient data transfer, and of course, compatibility with existing 5Gbps hubs and devices (and even USB 2.0 products). We've yet to hear of any device makers trotting out new gear that'll handle the new spec, but hopefully we'll hear more at CES really gets rolling.
LaCie teams up with Philippe Starck on the Blade Runner limited edition hard drive
Philippe Starck, the design mind behind various Parrot wares, has teamed up with LaCie once more for a quite dapper external storage device. The duo has just announced the Blade Runner here at CES: a 4TB USB 3.0 hard drive wrapped in heavy-duty aluminum and sporting a LED power button in the shape of Mr. Starck's logo. That's not all. Only 9,999 of these bad boys will be produced so you'll need to have your affairs in order ahead of time if the gadget strikes your design sensibilities. The drive will also include 10GB of Wuala secure cloud storage to lend a hand with the archival process. No word on when the Blade Runner will arrive, but when it does, you can expect to nab it online from LaCie and other retailers after parting with the requisite $299. For a closer look at the goods, hit the galleries below to take a gander at the press shots and our brief hands-on. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Kanex 4-port USB 3.0 Hub first look
We recently got a chance to take a peek at a new Kanex USB 3.0 hub, which promises to be a feature-filled accessory. Retailing for $59, this 4-port powered hub offers adapters to switch from US power to most standard international types, which in this case appear to be Type C, Type G and what we think is Type I -- essentially support for the UK, EU and AU. The unit itself is extremely lightweight. In comparison, its power adapter is pretty massive -- not unusual for many of the USB hubs we test. You connect the hub to your Mac through a port in the back using a standard USB 3.0 cable with its large crimped-looking connector. The first of the four ports on the hub is, according to marketing text on their website, a 10W recharging port: "Did you know? Port 1 provides 10W of power to recharge tablets or other devices when host computer is powered down or disconnected from hub." I initially tested the hub with an iPad 2 but was unable to charge properly from any of the four ports. So I gave their the Kanex marketing contact a call and she explained that the PC had to be powered off or disconnected in order to allow this feature to work for the first port. Sure enough, I disconnected the hub from my Mac and my iPad successfully started charging. I'm not entirely sure how useful this "feature" is for most users. I know that the Newer Technology hub I reviewed a few months ago doesn't require you to disconnect for charging. If you want to sync and charge at the same time, the Kanex hub is probably not the device for you. The unit is backwards compatible, so if you connect a 2.0 device, it will connect to an internal 2.0 hub.
Automatica dongle plugs into cars, downloads audio from Dropbox, podcast feeds and more
If you'd rather not use your cellphone to ferry media to and from your car, Italian firm Inrete is offering a device that'll jack into your auto and discretely suck down fresh audio content from the web. Dubbed Automatica, the dongle plugs into rides outfitted with USB ports and downloads up to 24 hours worth of audio content -- or more with the help of a microSD card -- when it comes into range of an accessible WiFi hotspot. Those inclined to slurp down content while on the move can simply give the hardware internet access with their smartphone's WiFi tethering. Leveraging an online interface, users can customize Automatica's audio sources, which include podcast feeds, Dropbox, Google Drive, Box and SkyDrive. Snagging one of the sticks costs $99 and nets a two-year subscription to the service, but there's no word on how much one of the yearly subscriptions will set users back once the included period ends. Hit the jump for the full press release or tap the source link to pre-order a dongle.
Blue Microphones Spark Digital review: a solid iOS / USB mic for recording on the go
It was all the way back in January, when Blue Microphones made its CES announcements, that the Spark Digital first broke cover alongside two other mobile recording devices. Our interest was immediately piqued thanks to the mic's USB 2.0 and iOS connectivity, which allows it to support the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch via the 30-pin jack. After a grueling wait that lasted until just a few weeks ago, Blue's latest offering finally arrived. Was the long wait worth it? Does the Spark Digital do its part to bolster Blue Microphones' reputation for stellar recording wares? Join us past the break as we put the peripheral through its paces and give you answers to those very queries.
How to live through Wii U error code 150-1093
Are you getting error code 150-1093 from your shiny (very shiny) new Wii U? Reader Matt did, and it was a bummer. Games were freezing at load, leaving him with a confusing error code and no Mario.Nintendo support told him that this code results when you try to load a game from an external hard drive that isn't powered. Nintendo has warned that only hard drives plugged into the wall or into two USB ports with a Y cable will be supported, and now we see the problem.The short-term solution is simpler than getting a new hard drive or cable, though. Just go into your system settings and transfer the game's data to your system when playing. "This process takes approximately 2 minutes to complete," Matt tells us. It's another annoying user experience hiccup – why not just tell users "hey, go plug in your hard drive?" – but at least it's easily dealt with.
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.
LaCie intros Porsche Design drive for Macs with SSD and USB 3.0, helps the speed match the name
Porsche Design may not be directly involved in building German supercars, but there are certain expectations to be met, aren't there? LaCie is rolling out a new version of its Porsche Design hard drive skewed towards Mac owners that should offer more of the performance you'd associate with the automotive brand. The P'9223 Slim SSD is a third thinner than its ancestor but carries the option of a 120GB SSD that makes the most of the USB 3.0 port. If all runs well, nearly any Mac launched in 2012 can shuttle data along at a brisk 400MB per second. Demanding Mac fans will need to pay $150 for the flash-based edition to have the P'9223 feel truly Porsche-like; others only have to spend $100 if they're content with the Volkswagen pace of a 500GB spinning drive.
Kingmax intros UI-05 USB flash drive with glass ceiling, lets you see memory storage 'in action'
If you ever thought the world of flash storage was, well, a little pedestrian, then you've clearly never met Kingmax. The memory-maker likes to spice things up with world firsts, and exhibits an enthusiasm for the utilitarian product that can only be admired. The latest innovation? A USB drive with a glass ceiling. The UI-05, as it is known, lets you peer directly at the chip that holds your data, while keeping it waterproof and dust-proof, all in 8, 16 and 32GB denominations. Even better for you, that enthusiasm is backed up by pure faith, with the metal-cased pen drive easing nerves with a (not world first) five-year warranty. What Kingmax didn't let us see, however, was price and availability. There's a close-up shot right after the break, or you can jump to the source for more info.
30-pin to Lightning adapter: early users test compatibility
We got a message from developer David Stanfill this morning, who's had an opportunity to start using Apple's 30-pin to Lightning connector. As early pre-orders are just now arriving, we were curious as to how things were working. "I can confirm," he writes, "That the 30-pin to Lightning cable works with none of the previous Apple Accessories. I tested the SD card reader, USB reader, VGA/HDMI out adapter and the Withings Blood Pressure monitor. We're one for three for car stereos at the office." So any good news? Stanfill writes that his speaker systems are working. It's still early days -- perhaps Stanfill received a defective unit. With millions of dollars in gadgets and adapters on the line, however, the transition may not prove as easy as we had hoped. Has your adapter arrived? How is it working for you? Drop a note in the comments and share your experience. The Lighting/30-pin adapter sells for $29 and is currently shipping two to three weeks out. Those who ordered on the first day are now receiving units. Update: Commenters are having much better results than Stanfill with their adapters, especially with the Withing monitor. Some of his items were tested off-label and were not meant for use with the iPhone.