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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.
Thanko's Gold Ingot USB Hub: for pirates?
Damn, it just doesn't get any more craptacular than this, the Gold Ingot USB hub from Thanko. The best part sure isn't the 8-ports of USB 2.0 action, the ¥5,980 (about $52) price tag, or even the fact that it weighs as much as a laptop at 5.18-pounds. No, the best part is "Fake Gold" engraved right up top to impress the ladies. Class man, real class. Oh, and be sure to check their pirate pitchman after the break... arrrg![Via Impress]
NB-mate USB hub / speaker / power source / charger
The font of gadget goodness that is Thanko just keeps on giving, with the Japanese manufacturer now trotting out its NB-mate multi-function device to make our lives a little easier. A USB 2.0 hub that doubled as a portable speaker system would have been sweet enough, but Thanko takes things even further, with the NB-mate also able act as a power source for any USB-powered device by popping in couple of rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, which themselves can be recharged by plugging the NB-mate into an AC outlet. It's the circle of life, man -- and it'll only cost you fifty bucks.[Via Engadget Japanese]
Y-E Data announces new UWB hub
It looks like Y-E Data Inc. announced the "Wireless Hub," the so-called "first" UWB wireless device on the market (other than this, and that thing), to be released on October 21. Coated in bondi blue translucent blue-tinted plastic, this newfangled USB dongle comes with a wireless transmitter and a USB hub, into which you can plug in your favorite USB devices, like scanners, printers and the limited-edition Michael Young USB bracelet that you know you bought three of. Nikkei Electronics reports that the price is expected to be around ¥25,000 - ¥40,000 ($213 - $342) and that the data rate "reaches around 100 Mbps" at an unobstructed 10 meter distance. We won't laugh at that, now will we? Ok, fine, proceed. (Don't forget a chuckle at that awesome press shot, too.)[Via Slashdot]
Dtech's BT0032 Bluetooth 3-port USB hub
While we've been bombarded with those run-of-the-mill Bluetooth dongles, and since USB hubs are honestly nothing to get excited about in and of themselves, Dtech has cleverly combined these two supposed computing essentials in the form of a single, handy device in hopes of adding some spunk to the otherwise uninspiring devices. The BT0032 looks like the typical 4-port USB hub at first glance, but there's a bit more to it than meets the eye, starting with the built-in Bluetooth. Within the pocket-sized casing is a v1.2 compliant BT module that gives any 'ole notebook or desktop the ability to hook up with the near-infinite amount of headsets, speakers, mice, and other random gadgets that support Bluetooth these days. If you're still recounting and coming up with four ports on this thing, you'd be absolutely correct, but that fourth port plays a slightly different role than the rest; three ports are of the typical USB 2.0 flavor, while the oddball acts as a power supply for things like USB fans, lights, air purifiers, etc. (all of which Dtech conveniently keeps in stock). Although the consolidation that's going on here would seemingly be the biggest boon, the $19 asking price is fairly reasonable considering the features -- so for those of you who haven't picked up these items in their separate forms over the past several years, now would be an excellent time to play catchup.[Via Red Ferret]
Evergreen's 3-in-1 USB egg
With three monitors and numerous peripherals crowding our workspace, we're always searching for ways to minimize desktop clutter, so Evergreen's new multi-functional "USB egg" showed some initial promise at first glance. Besides the unconventionally-designed speakers, you're also getting a card reader and USB hub -- not a bad way to shed one or two items from your desk. Like most things, however, the devil is in the details with this one: its speakers can only muster a 2-watt output (and forget about a subwoofer), the "hub" sports but two lonely USB ports, and the reader's got SD, CF, and MS cards covered, but where's the love for xD? No word yet on pricing or availability, but we'll go out on a limb and assume that this is an egg only a mother hen could love, anyway.
Solid Alliance's USB hub shaped like "The Button"
Keeping with our theme of lame and gimmicky USB hubs, we have this little number from Solid Alliance. While we have no idea why someone would make a USB 2.0 hub in the shape of a button that could spark a civilization-ending nuclear war, we really can't fault them for creativity. We're also not sure why machine translation so consistently presents this as the "suicide bombing button," but take that as you will. There is no real functionality gained by the stylings, other than some blinky lights and blasting sound effect when you do activate the doomsday button, but it might just come in handy in light of a international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.[Via Impress]
