PhotoFast is a name often associated with innovations, particularly in niche USB adapters. It’s the same company that came up with the idea of a JBOD microSD card reader and a flushed USB 3.0 ExpressCard. Now PhotoFast is back again with iPADock – a dock that is universally compatible with any iDevices. This is the kind of device for everyone in the iFamily owning more than one iPhone and iPad.
The PhotoFast iPADock has two full-sized slots for iPads. There are two smaller slots for two iPhones or iPods. Swap out the iPads and you can sync and charge up to four iPhones or six
iPod nanos simultaneously. Besides a versatile dock, the iPADock also doubles a USB 2.0 hub and a multi-card reader – presumably iPad-compatible. The massive accessory comes with a 4A power brick in order to power all these. PhotoFast is currently taking
pre-orders for $80 if you want the iPADock by the end of September. But better check out the video first after the jump.
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When it comes to storage the old motto “Bigger. Faster. Better. MORE!” is in full effect; or at least Seagate seems to think so as their FreeAgent GoFlex Desk just got a huge storage boost! Today I am going to look at their all new THREE Terabyte version of their Desk version which not only boast customizability but an industry leading capacity. To me the questions I want answered are: is this down right awe inspiringly huge portable storage device as good (or better) as its little brother the GoFlex Portable; and does all that size come with any downsides? Let’s find out!
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After months of waiting, Alereon NoWire HDTV Kit is picked up by Imation, which renames the Wireless USB video adapter to Link. Imation didn’t mention the Link Wireless A/V Extender as a Certified Wireless USB device, largely because the UWB-based protocol is now relegated to niche interface. The Imation Link consists of a WUSB transmitter and a shark fin-lookalike receiver with a HDMI output on the back. The said transmitter is a USB dongle that can send lossless 720p video (courtesy of DisplayLink) over UWB waveband to the receiver.
There shouldn’t be any lag in frame rate since the application usually involves a laptop and the receiver (usually near the HDTV) in line of sight of each other. Unless the wireless distance is over 30 feet, you shouldn’t see any performance degradation. Though, if you up the output to 1080p, Imation Link can only manage photo stills at this resolution. Imation Link is competing with Intel WiDi; the only difference is that the Link is trying to grab third party PC/Mac accessory market while WiDi can only be found on most recent Windows 7 laptops. The Imation Link Wireless AV Extender is immediately available for $149.99 on Amazon.
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A-Data Nobility N004 Dual Interface is shaping up to be the next hot trend in storage. The 2.5″ SSD appears to be yet another commodity external drive, but it’s actually a speedy SSD with SATA-II sitting alongside USB 3.0. What makes this special is that while you need a $40 USB 3.0 enclosure to convert a regular SSD into an external drive, the A-Data N004 provides instant SuperSpeed connectivity. The plush aluminum chassis should offer at least some protection, but with capacity up to 256GB, N004 could turn out to be insanely expensive so we would recommend at least a silicone case.
The 70g
A-Data Nobility N004 combo with 8-channel technology is truly a speed demon. If you are going to install it as your primary drive, you will see a very impressive performance jump to 250MB/s and 180MB/s for sequential read and write respectively. For those with enough dose to afford the N004 as backup drive, you can expect read and write speed up to 200MB/s and 170MB/s respectively. A-Data got all these benchmarks from CrystalDiskMark. If we have to choose, the A-Data N004 might be a better choice than the
OCZ Enyo though the latter (rated at 260MB/s read & 200MB/s write) is even faster.
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Though late to the game, JVC is still trying to play catch-up with Flip and others in the budget handheld camcorder market. Its first pocket camcorder – looking like a a teen girl’s bedazzled cellphone – is kinda lame as it failed to differentiate from other similar offerings. JVC now returns with two Picsio pocket cameras, both of which are armed to the teeth. The Picsio GC-FM2 and GC-WP10 both take still pics at 5-megapixel resolution without interpolation; and up to 1080p/30 HD video as well as 960×540/30p (Apple’s beloved iFrame format) motion picture. The latter format ensures seamless compatibility with none other than Apple iMovie.
You’ll also find a 3″ touchscreen viewfinder which has
found its way into various handheld camcorders lately. The screen’s also sensitive enough for those wearing gloves. The two models are fundamentally the same except the IPX8-certified GC-WP10 is waterproof to a max. operating depth of 30ft. / 3m. Its nature also explains why the GC-WP10 doesn’t allow the slide-out USB connector that is found on the GC-FM2. Other connectivity options are the identical, from SD/SDHC/SDXC card to Eye-Fi SD card compatibility and mini-HDMI port as well as a headphone jack. Despite of the appealing features, the
Sanyo Xacti VPC-PD2 is still one-step ahead with its 3x optical zoom and built-in flash. Expect to find the two Picsio’s in September for $179.95 and $199.95 (waterproof version). Video demo after the jump.
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Kodak has released a new point and shoot camera that would be perfect for taking family photos while on trips to Flatland. That’s a nerdy way of saying that the Kodak EasyShare M590 is really thin. This point and shoot is very nearly the thinnest camera we’ve ever seen and packs a whopping 14 mega-pixel sensor into the nearly 2 dimensional body. The M590 boasts optical image stabilization and a 5x optical zoom. Getting moving lens elements to produce this level of zoom is hard to believe. This is the equivalent of a 35-175mm zoom lens. A lens that size for a DSLR could easily weigh more than a 6 pack of these cameras.
Roughly half the size of a deck of cards, you also get 720p video recording options buffering with 32MB of internal memory onto MicroSD cards. There’s a handful of notable in camera digital offerings, but the other biggest standout of this little guy is it’s greatest power. Finally and from on high, this camera can charge by USB. Hoo-ray, no more lost chargers in the i-forgot-to-pack-it bag. From the pictures available, it looks to be our favorite
microUSB port. If this is a standard cable, we’ll be ordering one as soon as the first review hits the blogosphere. All other features aside, if this helps get rid of the tangled mess of chargers and adapters we have to keep track of, the EasyShare M590 will be worth twice the $200 MSRP.
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We cover a lot of products centered around desktop security but this is a slightly different type and MUCH more fun. Dream Cheeky has upgraded its hilarious O.I.C. Missile Launcher for more range and better remote control. The O.I.C. Missile Launcher is an internet toy, O.I.C. stands for Over Internet Control. It’s a remote control nerf-type missile launcher and when we say remote we mean remote, as in, anywhere in the world. You can control this mini launcher from any place that’s connected to the internet, via MSN Messenger.
The included software CD installs itself and integrates into MSN Messenger for Windows. Versions for Facebook, Mac and Skype are coming later this year. The silo is equipped with a webcam and with the remote controls you can zero in on your target. While the control is remote, the O.I.C. USB Missile Launcher is tethered to your machine by a 4 foot USB cable. Even on that leash, you can protect your desktop from all threats foreign and domestic at ranges up to 30 feet. This might also be a perfect tool to teach your cats to stay off the counter. Available soon for under $50 or you can register to win one on their fan page on
Facebook.
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LaCie, a company that has made its reputation on making storage fashionable, has a new pair of flash drives for your approval. These new drives take two completely different paths to get data into your hands and out of your way. The cleverly named MosKeyto is a flash drive of the nano variety, our favorite USB development to date. The drive barely extends outside of the USB port on your computer, but this tiny nubbin drive holds either 4 or 8GBs and can be had for as low as $18 from their online store.
Also released today is the
WriteCard, which is the right tool for the write job. Similar in concept to the Swiss Card from Victorinox, it substitutes a flash drive for the pen knife. Besides the ultra thin flash drive, they also incorporate a tiny ink pen and business card size pad of paper. Now unfortunately, this will only hold you teeny tiniest of thoughts but it’ll do in a pinch. It might be a bit better served as a business card holder but the exact dimensions of the notepad compartment aren’t available. The slide out flash drive comes in 3 sizes, 4, 8 and 16GB capacities. The WriteCard starts at only $23 and should be available at their same online store in a few weeks.
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NXT has announced big plans for its latest stereo amplifier module that boosts audio output to 15W per channel, all powered by a single standard USB port. NXT cited this is the synergy between the company’s proven Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) and Audium amplifier chip technology. This paves way for high-output portable speakers, useful whenever an external power source is unavailable.
Bus-powered USB speakers have only traditionally been able to deliver up to 2W or sometime
3W with BMR technology. These USB speakers sell like hotcakes, largely thanks to the inferior netbook audio, but they do lack power. So, five fold increase in audio output seen in DyadUSB is nothing short of breathtaking. This is certainly a very interesting development; that is, if this works just like NXT claims.
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