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Latest Gear Live Videos
Vroop’s Liveboard: A Real-Time Baseball Scoreboard
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi,
We recently told you about the Baseball Mouse, and now we have the perfect thing to go with it. Vroop’s Liveboard is a miniature replica of a baseball stadium scoreboard for your computer. After Liveboard wirelessly syncs to the included software via Bluetooth (a USB adapter is also included), it can track and display what’s going on during any Major League Baseball game, including the score, how many are on base and the count on the batter—all in real-time. There are three modes to choose from: follow your favorite team, a game in your team’s division, or all games in play (each displayed for 60 seconds). As baseball fans we love it, but feel the $299 USD price tag is too high. For that we’d rather buy a Yankees mini-plan, and watch the game in person.
Read More 
| Liveboard via Gearlog
Gallery: Vroop’s Liveboard: A Real-Time Baseball Scoreboard
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Superfrothco Record Label to Release Solely in USB Flash Drive
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Music, Storage, USB,
Superfrothco appears to be the first independent record label to switch its format to USB Flash Drive alone. Its debut album will be from Jeffrey Scott Holland in September, who performs a combination of modern jazz, cabaret, dixieland and show tunes. The company will also be releasing the back-catalogued Hasil Adkins “Night Life” and the soon to be released Grillo the Clown, a Kentucky street performer whose thing leans mostly towards the Weird Al variety. We are thinking that if more record companies begin to do the same, they might want to start including a package deal that would include a hub with every few purchases.
Read More | Superfrothco
Gallery: Superfrothco Record Label to Release Solely in USB Flash Drive
Brando Unveils Memory Strap
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Storage,
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Our buds at Brando have released their USB 2.0 Memory Strap that will carry up to 2 GB of flash memory around your neck. The 55 x 26 x 10 mm plug-and-play device weighs only 13 g and supports Windows 98/ME/2000/XP and Mac OS 9.0. We think this wooden key is a great way to store data and information, and yet still make a fashion statement with something so easily lost in the shuffle. You can find one now at Brando for $32.00.
(Thanks, Fanny)
Read More | Brando
Gallery: Brando Unveils Memory Strap
Superbooster Allows USB in Any Room
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech, USB,
The Superbooster Wall Plate lets you run USB via ethernet for accessories such as cameras, printers, printers, or projectors up to 150 ft. away. This is truly plug-and-play with no software or drivers needed. You can place the white wall plates in more than one room, provided you run ethernet cording through walls. The Superbooster comes with one transmitter and one receiver to make the two Leviton Decora compatible plates and can be connected with standard cat5, cat5E, or cat6 UTP cable. At a price of $129.99 and with a 1 year warranty, get yours at Cables To Go.
Read More | Cables To Go
Gallery: Superbooster Allows USB in Any Room
Visomate Corrects Vision and Posture While Sitting at the Computer
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Science,
What we love about the USB-fixated folks at Brando is that along with some pretty nutty items, they also sell some pretty useful stuff as well. Consider the Visomate, which helps you reduce neck and eye strain while at the computer. The innocuous-looking disc is placed on top of your monitor, plugged into a USB port, and using an “ultrasonic sensor” helps you determine the proper way to sit if front of your monitor. LED lights and help you position yourself, for ergonomic goodness: Blue means “Not Recommended”, while Red means “Too Far”. Pretty helpful, and great for both kids and adults. The Visomate is available for $26 USD.
Read More | Brando
Gallery: Visomate Corrects Vision and Posture While Sitting at the Computer
Pop-Up Pirate Becomes USB Hub
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Toys,
SolidAlliance, who create USB gadgets of the cutesy and almost edible variety, have unveiled their latest creation, the Pop-Up Pirate USB 2.0 Hub. With four inputs in the back, the 105 x 150 x 105 mm gadget works with Windows XP or Mac OSX. From what we could detect from the translation, the 16 colored swords will issue a response out of the little buccaneer every time you jab him. Available later this month, you can get your own Pirate for 5,250 Yen (~$43.00.)
Read More | SolidAlliance (translated)
Gallery: Pop-Up Pirate Becomes USB Hub
The latest offering from Brando comes in the form of two gift sets, one for each sex. Both contain USB mini-vacuums and mood light pen holders with a 4 ports power hub. The one for men features a cup warmer (cup not included) and an LED desk lamp. Opt for the women’s and you get a USB fan and lighted mirror. How very considerate of them to make the girly version in pink, our least favorite color in the spectrum. Each are available for the mini-price of $29.50.
Read More | usb.Brando
Gallery: Brando Offers His and Hers Gift Sets
The Mickey Mouse Mouse
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, PC / Laptop, Peripherals,
We’re wondering if Mickey Mouse is secretly jealous of Remy, the rodent-of-the-moment and star of Pixar’s smash hit “Ratatouille”. Why? Because maybe Mick feels the need to up his profile, hence the sudden glut of Mickey Mouse gadgets, including an MP3 player, USB wrist band and now—USB optical mouse. The peripheral not only contains a removeable toy Mickey, but features LED lights for that extra pizazz. We think it’s time Disney make a computer-animated movie starring our old friend, before his attention-seeking antics reach Britney-like proportions.
Gallery: The Mickey Mouse Mouse
Judging from all the wacky USB gadgets we’ve featured from their website, we suspect the folks at Brando are a fun, if slightly nutty, bunch. But lo and behold they clearly have a cerebral side, too, as evidenced by their USB Chess Set, allowing you to play against your computer with real live chess pieces (you can also play against a friend). Ideal for both beginners and seasoned chess pros, as you can track (and record) your moves, obtain hints, and email results to your friends. Plus, the set is portable: just roll up the board and you’re good to go. The Brando website states the USB Chess Set is compatible with Windows XP, so we don’t know if Vista (and pre-XP) users can join in the fun. Available for $42 USD.
Read More | Brando
Gallery: Become the Next Bobby Fischer with USB Chess
Belkin to Release Wireless USB Hub
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Cameras, Smartphones, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi,
Belkin has been very busy of late. Their latest offering is a Wireless 2.0 Hub that allows you a USB connection up to 30 feet away to devices such as scanners, printers, storage drives, and cameras. It will transfer at speeds of up to 480Mbps, and comes complete with hub, dock, and USB and power adapters. Available in North America in late August for $199.99, those of you in Asia, Europe, and Australia will just have to wait a bit longer. Contact Belkin for more information or to find a retailer near you.
Read More | Belkin
