Transcend JetFlash V20 USB Drive with 16GB and 32GB Storage launched

Transcend has introduced the new JetFlash V20 in 16GB and 32GB capacities. This elegant drive has a huge capacity, in which users can store their files, music, digital photos, and even full-length HDTV movies.

For added advantage, both the 16GB as well as the 32GB JetFlash V20 versions come along with Transcend’s JetFlash elite software suite that can be installed to run directly from the JetFlash drive when user plugs it in. This software includes attributes such as Website AutoLogin, PC-Lock, Mobile Favorites, Secret-Zip, DataBackup, Online Update.

Microsoft missing the cloud with Windows on a USB stick

Manufacturers and software developers increasingly see portable computing in our future. Thin clients and public terminals that draw personal settings from remote profiles are one approach, and the portable app movement spearheaded by SanDisk's U3 technology and flash drives is another. Riffing off SanDisk's concept of "bring it all with you," reports now say that Microsoft is extending SanDisk's approach to the rest of Windows with a new "StartKey" product. By the end of the year, StartKey portable flash drives could store a user's Windows profile, applications, and settings, or even an entire bootable installation.

Microsoft's plan is to provide a complete suite of tools for consumers and developers to help push the portable computing paradigm into the mainstream. In addition to USB flash drives, StartKey technology could work on other flash memory types like SD cards, or any other new storage format of the week. An SDK will be provided to developers so they can enable their own applications to plug into the platform and go portable.

While U3 currently allows users to bring apps like Firefox on a USB keychain, including all their bookmarks, passwords, and history, Microsoft's SmartKey would extend this same functionality to the rest of Windows. Users will be able to bring their desktop wallpaper, applications, contacts, data, and preferences on a flash storage device and turn any compatible Windows machine into their own personal workspace.

Corsair Announces New 16GB 'GT' High Performance USB 2.0 Flash Drive at CEBIT 2008

Corsair GT USB Drive Provides Up To 4X Faster Transfer Speeds than Standard USB Drives

Fremont, CA, February 28, 2008 - Corsair® http://www.corsair.com, a worldwide leader in high performance computer and flash memory products, announced a new 16GB high performance "GT" Flash Voyager USB 2.0 drive. The new Corsair 16GB GT Flash Voyager USB drive will be debuted at the CeBIT 2008 Show next week in Hanover, Germany on Corsair's stand (Booth 40 in Hall 21).

High Performance USB Solutions for Transporting & Backing-up Critical Data

The new Flash Voyager GT USB drive provides data transfer rates that are up to 4X faster than standard USB 2.0 drives. Whether transporting office files, pictures or even full-length movies, you can "store-n-go" faster with the Corsair GT USB line. The drive has been optimized to take full advantage of its advanced flash controller technology as well as the screened and hand-selected NAND flash chips.

Mouser – Development platform for Vinculum embedded USB host designs

The FTDI V-EVAL hardware development platform for Vinculum VNC1L-based embedded USB host designs is now stocked by Mouser following a distribution deal with its manufacturer Future Technology Devices International Limited (FTDI) a leading supplier of silicon and software solutions for the Universal Serial Bus (USB).

Supplied as a complete kit, the platform includes the V-EVAL development board, power supply, USB A/B cable, and a USB gender change for use with USB slave applications. A downloadable human interface class (HID) example project for PIC, in C language, is also available.

The board provides two USB host / slave ports and multiple I/O port connectors, as well as an inbuilt Vinculum USB device programmer, terminal emulator, and command monitor. In addition to the USB ports, board connectors provide access to the UART, SPI, and FIFO interfaces.? Five user-programmable switches, five user-programmable LEDs, and five status LEDs are included with PS/2 keyboard and mouse connectors. To ease circuit design, a large array of 800 0.1-inch pitch holes is provided. This prototyping area can be used to add additional components to the board for testing complete designs.

Fingerprint-Protected USB Sticks Cracked

"Manufacturers of USB sticks and cards with fingerprint readers promise us that their data safes can only be opened with the right fingerprint. In their tests, heise Security found that it is easy to bypass the authentication and get access to the protected data. This works by sending a single USB command, using the open source tool PLscsi, that changes the accessible partition. They found the vulnerability in several USB sticks that use the same chipset. The article concludes: 'The fingerprint sensors in the products mentioned above apparently only serve one purpose: they mislead interested buyers. They do not provide any significant level of protection. We can only recommend that these products not be purchased.'"

Single Board Computer includes 8 GB USB solid-state drive.

Based on 1.4 GHz PowerPC MPC7448 processor, 6U single-slot VME Model C108 is intended for military embedded applications. Soldered USB SSD features integral disk controller for high-speed USB port data transfers, and provides automatic wear leveling and auto block management. In addition to 1 GB ECC-protected fast SDRAM, C108 features 128 MB Flash, 32 MB of Boot Flash, and up to 4 GB of high-density Flash memory. Unit also includes GigE port, 2 Fast Ethernet ports, and 16 discrete I/O channels.
 

Pocket PC Tech’s Lil’ Sync USB Mobile Power Pack

The other day I took my IPAQ hx2415 out of my bag and it wouldn’t turn on because I had inadvertently allowed the battery to get too low. I was disappointed that I would not be able to use my Pocket PC that day until I remembered that I had the Lil’ Sync USB Mobile Power Pack in my gadget bag.

Pocket PC Tech’s Lil’ Sync USB Mobile Power Pack is a fairly simple little gizmo that packs a powerful punch. One end of the Power Pack has a mini USB port that is used to charge up its 4400 mA capacity Li-Ion battery and the other end of it has a standard USB port that is used to power a mobile device. On the front are three indicator lights and an on/off switch.

WD Introduces USB Drives

WD introduced its new My Passport Essential Portable USB Drives. Redesigned to complement WD’s popular My Book family of external drives, the drives introduce a sleek new form that feels good in your hand and fits neatly in a pocket or purse. Available now at select retailers across India the new My Passport Essential USB Drives feature a beautiful glossy black finish and put almost a third of a terabyte of digital storage in the palm of your hand.

Weighing in at less than 5 ounces, My Passport Essential Drives are light and compact to carry and because they are bus powered, they do not need an external power adapter. Equipped with sync and encryption software (Windows-compatible only), this lightweight drive with mega-capacity makes it easy to securely carry thousands of songs, or videos or photos.

WD Sync software allows consumers to take desktop content with them by simplifying the synchronization of essential personal files and Microsoft Outlook data on a PC. Should owners misplace the drive, they know their data is protected with 128-bit encryption. Google software on the drive allows users to quickly locate files with the Google Desktop Search search tool, manage photos with Picasa photo organizer software and simplify Web searches with the Google Toolbar search bar.

USB drive crackdown by US agency

Workers in the state of Washington's Division of Child Support are to get state-owned USB flash drives as part of a move to eliminate the use of unsanctioned thumb drives.

External flash drives used by field workers hold the names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers of children served by the agency. They may also hold client tax documents, employer records, criminal histories and passport data.

The state began rolling out 200 SanDisk Cruzer drives late last year after recalling suspect devices used by workers in the agency's 10 field offices. Most of those had been purchased independently by employees, causing myriad problems for the agency, said Brian Main, the division's data security officer.

Western Digital rolls out colorful new My Passport Elite USB hard drives

Western Digital has never been one to skimp on color choices for its portable hard drives, and it now busted out the crayons yet again for its new batch of My Passport Elite USB drives. Available in bronze, titanium, westminster blue and cherry red, the drives each boast a "soft-touch finish" to keep 'em from slipping out of your hands, and weigh in at a mere 5 ounces. You'll also get a built-in capacity gauge to let you know how much space you have left, as well as the usual back-up software and security measures. If that sounds like the drive you've been looking for, you can grab a 250GB model now for $170, or move on up to a 320GB drive for an even $200.
 

ATEN's new Multimedia-aware KVMs introduce USB ports and more

KVMs are set to take on a bigger role as ATEN International's recent releases point to. The KVM manufacturer has released a KVM switch which also controls other peripherals as well and introduces audio ports.

The CS1732B and CS1734B are aimed at the SOHO users and allow up to four computers to be controlled from a single keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The solution is also compatible with legacy PS2 ports and USB devices as well as offering 2-port USB ports to which peripherals will be connected like printers, VoIP phones or even Webcams.

It also opens the way for potential KVM hacks since the USB ports will have direct access to the KVM.

KVMs are essential devices if you want to build a multi-monitor setup (like the one which we evaluated here).

They also have front LEDs and support widescreen resolutions.

Both KVMs are compatible with Sun and Mac Keyboards and support Linux and Vista; they also come with lifetime firmware upgrade service and are available for less than £85 + VAT

Walletex USB MediCard is thin, contains medical records

Walletex, whose already thrown its hat into the MP3-player ring is ready to tackle another item much in need of a digital upgrade — medical records. The closest the medical-record industry has gotten to technology is motorized shelving units that rotate the thousands upon thousands folders to help clerks get at them. The Walletex MediCard is looking to attack the paper-heavy medical-record industry by completely digitizing your information.

The MediCard appears to be an ID card at first, but it also contains a USB dongle that includes all of your medical records. The thin size allows it to be carried anywhere in case a medical emergency were to randomly arise.

This kind of a device does have its downsides. What if you lose your MediCard? Not only would the world know that you have hemorrhoids, but you would be without all of your medical records, at least until you buy a new MediCard.

Walletex USB MediCard is thin, contains medical records

Walletex, whose already thrown its hat into the MP3-player ring is ready to tackle another item much in need of a digital upgrade — medical records. The closest the medical-record industry has gotten to technology is motorized shelving units that rotate the thousands upon thousands folders to help clerks get at them. The Walletex MediCard is looking to attack the paper-heavy medical-record industry by completely digitizing your information.

The MediCard appears to be an ID card at first, but it also contains a USB dongle that includes all of your medical records. The thin size allows it to be carried anywhere in case a medical emergency were to randomly arise.

This kind of a device does have its downsides. What if you lose your MediCard? Not only would the world know that you have hemorrhoids, but you would be without all of your medical records, at least until you buy a new MediCard.

TI Launches High-Speed USB 2.0 On-The-Go Solution

TUSB6020 acts either as a function controller for a USB peripheral or as the host/peripheral in point-to-point or multipoint communications. Its idle mode operating at less than 100uA will extend battery life in consumer devices, such as mobile handsets, portable media players or video applications.

 

The TUSB6020 is a compact solution for space-conscious equipment and comes in the industry's smallest 5 mm x 5 mm package. It is compliant with the USB 2.0 OTG specification by the USB Implementer's Forum to help ensure interoperability with other USB devices.

 

In addition, the device integrated USB 2.0 PHY provides design flexibility with one-port operation at a low speed of 1.5 Mbps, full speed of 12 Mbps and high speed of 480 Mbps. The VLYNQ serial interface allows seamless interface to any VLYNQ-enabled application processor without loading the GPMC or EMIF ports.

USB Security System for $100

If you've got a problem getting your iPod stolen or just want a great way to secretly film your roommate check out this DVR security system from Swann Communications.

The DVR Guardian hooks up to a USB port and records live from up to 4 cameras directly to your hard drive. The $99 package comes with 2 cameras.

Check it out and get recording. You could be a viral video star! Press release after the cut.

 

Swann Introduces Notebook Computer Based Surveillance System

New USB 2.0 DVR Guardian™ converts any notebook computer into a digital video recording surveillance system 

Santa Fe Springs, Calif. – (March 27, 2008) – Swann Communications, the global leader in security monitoring solutions, is proud to announce their latest innovation in DIY security: USB 2.0 DVR Guardian™. This compact, portable system turns any notebook computer into an advanced surveillance system capable of monitoring any home, office or retail space.