Join Kingston urDrive changes the way you view USB flash drives
When it comes to USB flash drives, most of the time we would be wondering just what kind of improvements can be made to such peripherals apart from ever increasing storage space in addition to the data transfer speed. Well, Kingston has an idea – after all, they have been in the memory business for the longest time already, so why not leave it to them to figure out a way? Their latest brainstorming session has resulted in the Kingston urDrive, where it will turn your average USB flash drive into an active storage device.
urDrive will be a free pre-loaded application that will make its appearance on a range of Kingston’s DataTraveler USB flash drives, turning your average USB drive from passive storage mode to engaged, active storage. This will also enable consumers to easily access and organize your personal files, photos, music, games and videos. Heck, there will even be a built-in photo viewer and MP3 player that makes it a snap to check out your favorite digital moments, while rocking to tunes that bring back good memories.
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Apen A3 Bluetooth for Smartphone
I have reviewed pens that can interact with computers before, and I had a chance to try out the A3 Smart Pen from Apen. I’m going to share with you the pros and cons.
I’ll start with the cons. Fist of all, the unit that clips onto the paper that you see here has a fragile clip. It broke off on the first try, and I only tried to clip it to a thin magazine.
The Apen A3 advertises that it can interact with one’s smart phone screen in realtime. I will have to say that I have used two of these pens, and I wasn’t able to get it to connect with the Bluetooth on my Droid X, even though the A3 says it is compatible with Android OS 2.1 or above. In Apen’s defense, I have had problems connecting with devices before.
However, I will have to admit as a device that can clip to a piece of paper, and then download the images onto a computer, this is probably the most accurate that I have tried so far. It can also store up to 100 pages wirelessly before you have to download them to a computer. Another handy feature is the Apen A3 can be used on a mouse with the computer. You can actually draw and see your results in realtime.
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Cirago’s Bluetooth 3.0 High Speed Adapter
What you are seeing here next to the two bits is the Bluetooth 3.0 High Speed Adapter from Cirago.
Cirago boasted in the product’s Press Release that this High Speed Adapter (BTA7300) is “one of the only such devices on the market to combine the latest in Bluetooth 3.0 technology with 802.11n Wi-Fi capability on the same device”.
I got a chance to try out this Class 2 mini adapter, and I found that my computer recognized it after a few minutes. I’m not certain if most laptops have Bluetooth as a standard feature, but if your computer does not, then Cirago’s new device might be just what you want. I used it to pair with my new Kensington KeyFolio Pro Universal Removable Bluetooth Keyboard for 10-inch Tablets (check my last post to get the lowdown on that gadget).
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Razer Naga Epic MMO Gaming Mouse
We have reported on Razer’s products before, and I got a chance to try out the Naga Epic MMO Gaming Mouse. I have seen mice that are wireless, mice that are ergonomic, and mice with many buttons, and the Razer Naga Epic seems to do them all.
I’ll go ahead and start with the buttons. There are 17 of them in all, which include the 12 on the side. These buttons allow you to “organize your key binds and character abilities for any game by enabling you to fully remap and assign macros”. You can also get downloadable in-game add-ons and in-game support for popular games like World of Warcraft, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, and City of Heroes. By the way, you can also use the numbers on the side for simply typing in numbers.
As you can see here, the Naga Epic comes with a cradle, and this is so you can charge the battery inside for use as a wireless mouse. You can also just plug the Naga Epic in a USB port for wired use as well.
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Ali Spagnola’s Power Album Shot Glass USB
I would have to say that I have no personal experience with drinking games. I can honestly say that this product is not for me, and I don’t think I can recommend it simply because I didn’t try it out.
At least I didn’t try out the drinking part. The Shot Glass USB comes with a USB drive that has 60 songs, all of them approximately one minute long. As the first song by Ali Spagnola states, you take a drink after each song ends.
In case you are worried about getting too drunk to hold the shot glass, it comes with a removable lanyard. The USB drive full of the music stashes nicely underneath the cup itself.
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BluestSoft DiskArchiver OneTouch Home
Many a time, we are told to make a backup of all our work, but the daily (or weekly, depending on your backup schedule) discipline seems to escape us majority of the time. Well, we tell ourselves, “If only there was something that can perform those backups for us with minimal effort.” Come on now, if you value your hard work on the digital platform, surely you would take all the necessary precautions to ensure there is a copy somewhere? I suppose since you’re all busy folk, a gadget that takes out most of the guesswork is perfect.
Hence the relatively small BluestSoft DiskArchiver OneTouch Home being introduced, where this USB device shares somewhat similar dimensions with that of the iPhone – albeit carrying not the functionality of a portable media player cum communications device, but will be embedded with powerful backup software instead.
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IOGEAR Digital Card Reader/Writer is pink, for the cure
Considering that I have a laptop that is over five years old, I still have need of a memory card reader. My wife has a newer laptop, and the SD card reader is located right in front. I take it memory card readers are now a standard feature of laptops.
If you are in the need of a card reader, I would suggest this particular SD/MMC/MicroSD reader from IOGEAR. It has two memory card slots that support a variety of formats including T-Flash, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, MicroXC, SD, SDHC, MiniSD, MMC Plus, RS-MMC, and MMC Mobile. I realize that you can only see one card slot in the image, but rest assured, there is a smaller one underneath.
Not only that, this card reader is for a good cause. For every pink card reader sold between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012, IOGEAR is donating $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. If you are interested in hearing more about the Susan G. Komen organization, you should go here.
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AOC announces portable USB Monitor
When we talk about monitors, most of us would definitely think of the most common models that are sitting there, prim and proper on our desks. Well, AOC not only delivers said monitors, but they too know how some people feel about not getting enough viewing real estate whenever one travels. Guess this is why they have come up with what they deem to be the ultimate laptop accessory – a portable USB monitor that ain’t too small it might be deem useless, but is large enough to warrant more than a second look.
This lightweight and sleek 16″ monitor will boast a convenient built-in USB port which allows it to receive not only power, but also signal from the computer. Basically a single USB cable eliminates the need for you to tote around a power cord or VGA cable on your travels, now how about that? It isn’t only good for dual-monitor setups, but multi-monitor configuration as well.
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