Tag Archives: USB

Conversion Kit Allows You to Use a Typewriter as a Keyboard

Conversion Kit Allows You to Use a Typewriter as a Keyboard

Sometime in April, news broke out that the last remaining typewriter factory was closing its doors. While the news was not all that surprising – who uses typewriters these days? – it still struck a chord in the hearts of many people. After all, many of us probably still remember the good old days of being bent over a shiny machine, happily listening to the clickety-clack of the keys and the mechanism that made the imprints on the paper. Alas, the news was apparently bogus. While that particular Mumbai-based company has indeed closed shop, one can still find typewriters made by other companies. In fact, a quick search on Google Read more »

XBox 360 Update Allows USB Hard Drives

XBox 360 Update Allows USB Hard Drives

When the XBox 360 first came out, the hard drive that came standard – at least on the higher up model – just seemed like it wouldn’t be enough. After all, with all the DLC that Microsoft was planning for the console, there was no way that 20GB would be enough. The upgrades kept coming along, Netflix was added, DLC got bigger and bigger … Well, you know the result. So Microsoft decides a little while back to offer a 250GB drive for the 360, and decided to price it at $129. Even the most expensive 250GB drive on NewEgg is still $30 cheaper, and the pricey drive just feels Read more »

Storage Problem? 1TB Toshiba Canvio Introduced

Storage Problem? 1TB Toshiba Canvio Introduced

Got a storage problem? I know I do. That’s why when I first head about these new portable hard drives by Toshiba, I got a little excited. They come in four different flavors: 500GB, 640GB, 750GB, and 1TB, all for under $200. These are USB 2.0 drives, with no eSata or Firewire options. Right now the suggested list prices start at $119.99 for the 500, and move up to $199 for the 1TB, but Toshiba Direct has the 1TB now for $189, thanks to a $10 instant-savings deal. If black isn’t your thing, they also come in silver, blue, green and red, so you’ve got some options there as well. Read more »

Design Concept: Stackable USB Connectors

Design Concept: Stackable USB Connectors

I imagine that a lot of our readers have a USB hub somewhere on their desks, just like I do. I also imagine that they don’t often wear pants, but maybe that’s just me. Literally. Anyways, my USB hub has cords going all over the place from it, and it’s gotten to the point where I have one stacked on top of the other just to gain some extra space. It’s a little frustrating at times. That’s why when I see designs like this, I get a little excited. It’s from Yanko Design, and although it’s just a concept right now, I certainly hope someone figures out how to make Read more »

The U-Socket: USB charging from the wall

The U-Socket: USB charging from the wall

Whatever happened to wireless USB? I don’t doubt you can get it, but it does seem that most of the gadgets that are powered via USB are still very much wired. How annoying is it when you don’t want to charge up your electronic items from your laptop’s USB ports, but you also don’t want a load of bricks sticking out of regular power sockets? Enter Fastmac’s U-Socket wall outlet. Pictured is a US version, though I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to install it on international power sockets either. Yes, it has two USB ports: one on each side of the power sockets. It costs $19.95 and is available Read more »

This Turntable Can Rip Your Vinyl Records

This Turntable Can Rip Your Vinyl Records

If you grew up in the 60′s and 70′s (and even before), you probably have a handful of vinyl records lying around in your attic or garage. Many of these are probably classics by now–some songs obsolete, but some perhaps brought back to fame due to recent events. For instance, there was a clamor for Michael Jackson’s music after his death. I should know; I know some relatives who tried to scour their attics for their much-loved, but long-forgotten MJ records from old. While newer technologies are constantly surpassing older ones in terms of quality and features, vinyl records do have some novelty in them. There’s this certain sense of Read more »

Desk Genie: All-in-one cellphone stand, charger, USB hub, card reader

Desk Genie: All-in-one cellphone stand, charger, USB hub, card reader

When you’re after an all-singing, all-dancing desktop accessory offering multiple functions, you could do worse than investing in a Desk Genie. First up, it’s a stand for your mobile phone. It uses a high-tech rubber sticky surface that holds your cellphone in place yet leaves no marks on the handset. It comes with multiple charger tips so, no matter what brand of cellphone you have, you can recharge the battery. There are also two USB ports and four card reader slots, so you can transfer data and charge or use all your USB gadgets as well. It’s all powered via USB, and if you want to use it on mains Read more »

Update your laptop to latest wireless standard with D-Link

Update your laptop to latest wireless standard with D-Link

Go back a few years and it wasn’t uncommon to get hold of a laptop without built-in Wi-Fi capability. Those days have all but gone, though there are still a lot of laptops that only have the 802.11g wireless standard. Not a pushover when it comes to speed, but not as fast as the latest 802.11n standard. Enter D-Link, offering what they claim is the smallest 802.11n USB stick currently available. The DWA-131 Wireless N Nano USB Adapter offers a one-click secure connection to a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) access point using WPA2 encryption. It won’t break the bank, either, coming in at £34.99 in the UK — that’s about Read more »

Plug In That USB And Smell The Love

Plug In That USB And Smell The Love

Well, maybe not love, but you will definitely smell something with the USB Aromatherapy Oil Burner that you can get over at ThinkGeek. It is probably not a novel idea – heck, practically anything or any idea that can be incorporated into the USB mold has been thought of! I would have to say, though, that if you are looking for a cool gift this Christmas that will not break your back, then this might be it. Read more »

You Heart GMail So Much You Need a Gboard

You Heart GMail So Much You Need a Gboard

So, you live by GMail but you don’t have it synchronised with your desktop mail software, and you can’t remember the keyboard shortcuts to execute a range of useful commands? No, it doesn’t sound like me, either, but if you are, or know someone who is, the Gboard might be what’s needed. It’s a 19-key preprogrammed USB keyboard which has a number of GMail’s important features available, so you no longer have to worry about what keyboard shortcut does what. I’ll be honest, I’d much prefer to get a programmable external keypad that could be used with a variety of different applications. Though email is important to me, it’s not Read more »