Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!
Latest Gear Live Videos
It’s a 256MB USB Flash Card…and a Calculator!
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Storage,
Avid readers of this site know there’s an endless amount of nutty USB-related gadgets out there. But here’s one that’s actually handy, in the office or on a business trip. The QMemory USB Card Disk with Calculator is pretty self-explanatory: it’s a wallet-ready 256MB flash card—that’s also a solar-powered calculator! It even includes security software to protect your files. No batteries, chargers or software required. Although we think 256MB is way too small in this day and age, we love it’s functionality and price of $15 USD. You can also order them in bulk, with your company’s logo.
Read More 
| Flash Memory Store via Chip Chick
Gallery: It’s a 256MB USB Flash Card…and a Calculator!
Advertisement
Canon Unveils Autonomous Recorder
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Home Entertainment, Movies, Portable Audio / Video, USB,
Canon has introduced its DW-100 Recorder, which will accept both MPEG-2 in SD and HD video with AVCHD. It will also accept Blu-Ray and PS3 so everybody should be happy. At a mere size of 179 × 70 × 275 mm and a weight of 1.9kg, it will record and play 12 cm DVD-R/-R DL/-RW. Compatible with PC or Mac, connect by included USB 2.0 cord. No price has yet been released, but expect availability by March 2008.
Read More | Canon (translated) via Akihabara News
Gallery: Canon Unveils Autonomous Recorder
The USB Roll-Up Drum Kit
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Music, PC / Laptop, Toys,
Is there anything that handy USB port can’t be used for? For instance, check out this cool USB-powered Roll-Up Drum Kit, which has 6 drum pads, and pre-programmed sets of music for genres such as rock, African and Jazz. You can also customize the drum sounds, record tracks to email to friends, and there’s even a tutorial. According to the website, the drums are compatible with Windows XP and Windows 2000, but there’s no mention of the persnickety Vista, so beware. We suggest you bring it in on your last day of work…to guarantee you go out with a bang. Check out the website for a demo video. Available for $28 USD.
Read More | My Virtual Zone
Gallery: The USB Roll-Up Drum Kit
Phone Prototype Features USB Port
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Design, Storage, USB,
We got pretty excited before we knew this was only a prototype. Created by French Designer Vincent Palicki, it shows a USB port going into a Sony Ericsson Phone, an extremely clever idea. How nice to be able to download files, videos, and/or photos with only a flash drive. We think perhaps this will lead to the concept of doing the same with handhelds. Come to think of it, we could attach all those very cool USB gadgets to our phones like mini-Christmas trees or mini-fans on a cold day.
Read More | Yanko Design
Gallery: Phone Prototype Features USB Port
A Wintertime Treat: Warmkeyboard Heats Things Up
Posted by Jenny Lewis Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Peripherals,
Cube farm dwellers, say goodbye to stiff fingers. Uncontrollable climate control systems can often leave us with numb digits, something that all of the “Cozy Legs” heaters, blankets and trips to the coffee machine in the world can’t fix. Finally, someone has tried.
Whether you file this internally as just another USB accessory or a legitimate peripheral, Warmkeyboard has the potential to be useful in more than just the “inputting characters” way that your run-of-the-mill keyboard is. Like your run-of-the-mill keyboard, it’s a standard 104-key plug and play keyboard with media hotkeys. However, unlike your standard issue keyboard it has heating elements underneath the keys that keep your fingers nice and toasty while you work.
Powered by both the USB plug and an AC adapter (unfortunately you can’t type AND be warm without two power sources), Warmkeyboard can be yours for $49.99.
Gallery: A Wintertime Treat: Warmkeyboard Heats Things Up
AT&T USBConnect 881 bringing 3G over USB to PCs and Macs everywhere
Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Broadband, Internet, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Wireless / WiFi, USB,
AT&T just announced their USBConnect 881 - an HSDPA/HSUPA modem for Macs and PCs that connects via USB. The minuscule 1.25oz modem claims to give an average download speed of 600kbps to 1.4Mbps, with uploads clocking in at 500kbps and 800kbps in HSUPA markets. While it may not be as slim and sexy as an Expresscard modem this looks like a great option for those with an older laptop, or a Macbook looking to quench their hankering for high speed laptop data on the go.
Available now for $50 with a 2 year contract, or for $299 without a commitment to AT&T.
Read More | AT&T
Gallery: AT&T USBConnect 881 bringing 3G over USB to PCs and Macs everywhere
Finally, someone has devised a flash drive that won’t loose its top. The PD USB 2.0 Flash Drive has a cover that swivels 180º and a hole to attach to your key chain. Enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost, the PD is the minute size of 34 x 18.3 x 3.2 mm and a weight of only 3g. At a starting price of $37.00 and available in black or white, we are grateful that there will be one less thing to misplace and hope that other companies will follow suit.
(Thanks, Fanny)
Read More | Brando
Gallery: PD Flash Keeps Its Head
While we don’t keep up on all the latest animation characters, Domo (Domo-kun in Japan) is too special to pass up. The creative people of mimoco have decided to release him to the States before his debut on the Nicktoons Network in the form of three Limited Edition mimobots. Included with the USB 2.0 flash drives Domo X, Rasta, and Ninja are 23 original shorts and desktop personalization that includes wallpaper, screensavers, icons, avatars and the soundByte that plays random Domo sounds when the mimbot is used. As per usual, the Series 1 is available in 1GB ($49.95,) 2GB ($69.95,) and 4GB ($109.95) capacities.
Read More | mimoco
Gallery: Domo Coming to U.S.
Elecom’s MF-NU2 series of USB Storage Sticks features built-in PASS (Password Authentication Security System,) which eliminates the need for identifying yourself on up to 3 computers. Available in 4 colors and holding up to 16GB data, it also hampers use by others who decide to see what’s in your wallet
pocket. On sale later this month, it is compatible with Windows Vista/XP/2000 and Mac OS X:10.3 or later.
Read More | Elecom (translated) via Akihabara News
Gallery: USB Memory Stick Has PASS
The J. Lo USB Flash Drive, for “Brave” Ones Only
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Music, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Storage,
These days, making fun of Jennifer Lopez is the equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel. And the Latina diva is not doing herself any favors with this gadget she‘s endorsed. To promote the release of her new CD “Brave”, the multi-hyphenate, along with luxury cellphone company Gresso, released a limited edition 1GB flash drive, made of African mahogany and engraved with her initials. The drive also includes a copy of “Brave.” Not so bad…until you discover the drive costs a whopping $70 USD! This writer actually likes some of Jenny’s songs and flicks (yeah, I said it), but feels the expectant mom is in serious need of an ego check.
