Being a self-confessed gadget freak, I’ve collected a large number of USB flash drives over the past few years and like most people, I use them for many purposes; storing pictures, documents, presentations, applications… you name it, it’ll be saved to one of my flash drives.

They are of course extremely handy, everyone knows that.  No bigger than a packet of gum, relatively cheap, nearly all are able to fit in your pocket or gear bag and with some manufacturers offering devices that can hold up to 256Gb of data, who doesn’t own one?!   However, have you ever thought about how secure this data is if you accidentally misplaced your flash drive?  I’ll be honest and say I have actually thought about it, but failed to look into it properly…..  until now. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Flash Drive, USB

IronKey Secure Flash Drive Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 25, 2010 at 11:30 am.

I am a sucker for anything that functions via USB.  Funky shaped flash drives, licensed character hubs that recite theme songs and quotes, and little creatures that perform random repetitive actions have all found their way to my desk at one time or another.  When a USB-based beverage warmer and cooler from Convenient Gadgets & Gifts became available for review I practically jumped at the chance to try it out.  Nearly every day at work I have that cup of coffee or glass of water that rapidly becomes lukewarm before I’ve had a chance to finish it.  This would appear to be the perfect gadget for ending the frequent trips to the kitchen for the microwave or ice… … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Home Tech, Reviews

Tagged: Beverage, USB

USB Beverage Chiller/Warmer Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 20, 2010 at 11:42 am.

Just looking at this joystick brings back memories of playing Pacman, Donkeykong and Pitfall Harry. The Clear Classic USB Joystick from Retro Thing is modeled after the iconic joystick that us 40 somethings remember from the 70’s and 80’s. It plugs into a USB port to play retro games on a modern PC or Mac. The stick is transparent plastic with a blue circuit board and a blue LED that illuminates the stick from within. The stick is a limited edition item and sells for $29.95, which includes the stick, numbered certificate of authenticity, USB cable and CD game collection including the Stella emulator and over 80 … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Gaming, Joystick, USB

Nostalgic joystick brings back gaming memories of your youth originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2010 at 7:41 am.

The Aegis Padlock is an external USB hard drive that is protected PIN number that you punch into the built in keypad. No software installs are required to setup your AES encrypted PIN numbers. Up to 10 different PINs and one admin PIN can be created and the drives are available in 250, 320 and 500GB capacities with either 128 or 256-bit encryption. The prices range from $99 – … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Hard Drive, Security, USB

Keypad Protected USB Hard Drive originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 23, 2010 at 12:58 pm.

It might look like something that Dr. Seuss might eat for breakfast, but this Green egg looking USB device is a button. The USB Green Button from Solutions has been designed to put your Windows or Mac computer into low power mode when pressed. This is one of those devices that no one really needs because Windows and OS X have options to go into power saving mode after a specified time of no activity. I guess this is for people that like to collect USB doo-dads. If you’re one of those folks, you can buy one for … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Green, Power, USB

Go Green with a Touch of a Button originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 17, 2010 at 12:45 pm.

Seagate’s new 500GB BlackArmor PS 110 portable external hard drive with the performance kit which includes a USB 3.0 PC Card, will give you three times more speed over pokey USB 2.0. Faster is always better, so you know you want one. They are available now directly from Seagate for … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Hard Drive, USB

Step up to USB 3.0 with a Seagate BlackArmor PS 110 External HD originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 5, 2010 at 9:03 pm.

The Eigenlabs Eigenharp Alpha is a radical looking USB electronic instrument that requires a Mac to play. The Alpha is a professional level instrument which allows the musician to play and improvise, change scale and key, transpose, alter tempo, program beats, create arrangements, switch and layer multiple sounds all while performing live on stage. Check out this extremely cool version of the James Bond Theme being played with two of these instruments. I would love to have one of these, but the $6450 price tag made me want to scream like a little … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Musical Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Instrument, USB

The Eigenharp Alpha will guarantee you a spot in the Star Wars Cantina Band originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 16, 2009 at 6:03 pm.

Warm mouse pad/w integrated 4-port USB hub

The idea of the ValueRays/IGMProducts Warm Mouse Pad is to provide some heat to your mouse hand via the USB ports on your PC.  It also touts a 4-port USB hub.  It is sold through ValueRays (the same folks who provides the Warm Mouse which I use every day and can endorse).  But you can skip this one.  It’s much too large, it doesn’t heat up very well, and when I tried to return it for a refund never heard back from them.  So I’m out in the cold for $29.99 plus the return … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Mouse, USB

(A cold) Thumbs Down: ValueRays Warm Mouse Pad Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 12, 2009 at 11:40 pm.

I’ll cut to the chase: Communique 01’s I’m In Touch Remote Access Secure Key works.  It works great.  It’s a USB flash drive that allows you to remotely access your desktop from another computer anywhere else. And ONLY you can access your desktop remotely and securely.  All you do is carry the USB flash with you, plug it into the USB slot on any computer and connect to your PC. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Reviews

Tagged: remote access, Security, USB

I’m In Touch Remote Access Secure Key Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 7, 2009 at 11:15 am.

Using an SD-Card, FlashDrive, or even a multi-Terabyte USB HardDrive, the CiragoTV Mini lets you playback videos, pictures and music that you downloaded or created at your computer on your television in beautiful 720P or 1080i ( and 480i & 480p for any tube owners ). This isn’t a networked UPNP media playback system with wireless or even ethernet: it’s a far simpler solution utilizing the classic SneakerNet to transfer files on a storage device. For around $70 retail, you’ll get a box a little bigger than a deck of cards with AV and HDMI output, a remote, AC adapter, and some composite AV cables. Plug your SD card ( Or USB hard drive/flash drive ) into the CiragoTV Mini, and it’s quickly being shown on your television in excellent quality. Read on for more information… … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, Reviews

Tagged: HD, HDMI, Media player, USB

CiragoTV Mini Media Player Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 1, 2009 at 1:26 pm.

Need a raise? There’s a gadget for that. It’s the thumbsUp USB digital voice recorder. It looks like an ordinary USB flash drive, but it hides a voice recorder that can capture up to 40hrs of audio in .WAV format. So go record one of your co-workers bad mouthing your boss. Voila, instant raise. You can thank me later. Thanks to Marcus Wright for emailing … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: USB

Covert voice recorder – USB thumbsUp originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 24, 2009 at 9:36 am.

So you look at these and think, “You gotta be kidding.”  This is what I have to put up with because my hands are freezing at the office?  Do I really have to sacrifice my dignity with these and subject myself to snickers and snorts just because I’m a wimp and hate cold hands? … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Miscellaneous

Tagged: Health, USB

USB Bear Head Hand Warmer Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 15, 2009 at 9:45 am.

Continuing their tradition of snow theme product names, Blue Microphones is announcing today the Yeti, the world’s first THX certified mic, USB for studio-quality recording at home. I still like and use the Blue Mic Snowflake microphone and can vouch for the fact that they make great quality gear. The Yeti will be priced at $149.99 and will be available beginning December 2009, at Apple, CompUSA, Fry’s Electronics, Guitar Center and directly through Blue Microphone. Press release junkies can get their fix after the jump. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: microphone, USB

The Yeti is no longer just a big hairy missing link originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 10, 2009 at 8:26 am.

Like most Gadgeteers, I have multiple laptops, monitors, and assorted tech cluttered on my desk.  I’ve always searched for many different ways of organizing my desk space.  That’s where the U-Board USB Multi-Board from Pyramid Distribution comes in.  I’ve always wanted a small second shelf, like a mini-hutch, for my glass desk.  The problem is that many places that sells them are made of wood, which doesn’t really match well with the glass desk.  Luckily the U-Board is made of tempered glass too. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear

Tagged: Stand, USB

UBoard USB Multi-Board Keyboard/Monitor Stand Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 22, 2009 at 5:30 pm.

Robin sent this to me this afternoon and I thought it was worthy enough to share with all of you. Do you suffer from cold hands? I sure do. Here’s a neat solution that can actually kill two birds with one stone. It’s the ValueRays Warm Mouse. It’s a regular USB mouse that heats up to keeps your hand warm. You can grab one for $24.95. The only problem is that it will only keep one hand warm … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Mouse, USB

Cure for frostbit fingers – ValueRays Warm Mouse originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 13, 2009 at 5:31 pm.

Earlier this year, we reviewed the Clickfree Portable Backup drive. Now they have an even smaller solution with more features. The new Clickfree C2 is a Windows and Mac OS X compatible drive. It is available in 250 or 500GB capacities and has a built in USB cable that snaps into the body when not being used. The C2 is able to automatically import music from iPods and iPhones, burn backed up files to CDs and DVDs, extract and organize all email attachments and protect files with … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Backup, Hard Drive, USB

Lose your Sidekick data? Don’t let the same thing happen to your PC – Clickfree C2 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 13, 2009 at 10:29 am.

With an enthusiastic nod to the original 80’s TV show and toys, Takara will soon release the Transformers Device Label line of functional tech gadgets that transform into heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons.   Fans will recognize Ravage, the panther-like Decepticon who originally transformed into an audio cassette (remember those?), and has now been updated to transform into a 2Gb USB memory stick ($42.99).  There are 5 total in the Device Line, which also includes Grimlock, the robot T-Rex who now changes into a laser mouse ($59.99), and perhaps the most impressive is Blaster, whose updated alternate form is a mini-laptop that is actually a USB hub ($59.99)!  All are available for preorder from BigBadToyStore, ToyWiz and other e-tailers.  Transform, and geek … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Geek Toys

Tagged: Flash Drive, Mouse, USB

“Ravage, eject!” originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 9, 2009 at 3:54 pm.

Cirago is claiming that their new CST-5000 is the smallest, thinnest USB hard drive on the market. I’m going to stack it up against the Aegis Apricorn A-25 to see how the claim measures up. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Laptop Gear

Tagged: USB, USB Drive

Cirago CST-5000 Slim USB Hard Drive Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 7, 2009 at 7:00 am.

OWC has announced today its newest OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro model – the first FireWire 800/400 and USB 2.0 bus powered 2.5″ portable drive offering 1TB of storage capacity in a pocket-sized portable storage solution for Mac or PC users.  It features data transfer speeds up to 100MB/s and is bus powered so it can be used without an AC adapter. The OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro 1TB model can hold up to 1,000,000 JPEG photos, 500 DVD movies, 76 hours of digital video, or 350,000 MP3 songs in its stylish, impact resistant acrylic case. How much will it cost you to carry around 1TB? An equally whopping $359.99 if you want Firewire 400, 800 and USB. Just want USB, then you can grab one for … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Hard Drive, USB

Is that 1TB in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 1, 2009 at 9:56 pm.

Poken was created to solve one simple problem: how do you remember the email addresses and screen names of everyone you meet? You Poken, of course. A Poken is a cutesy little dongle thingy with a flip out hand. When you meet other Poken owners in the real world, you can quickly swap information with them. No more writing down email addresses or long blog names. Just touch the little Poken hands together in a high four (I don’t make this stuff up folks) and they connect to transmit your contact info back and forth. Poken holds your name, address, email, mobile phone, and the rest, and it also holds your social networking account names such as FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn and other accounts. When you get back home, you plug the Poken into your computer via USB to download the info. Hmmmm, aren’t Vcards on cellphones supposed to allow this? … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Social Networking, USB

Do you Poken? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 1, 2009 at 9:58 am.

If you’ve been looking for a simple way to physically expand your computer desktop, you now have a few more options.  DoubleSight Displays has announced the release of their Smart USB line of USB LCD displays, ranging in price from $120 for a 7-inch display to $160 for a 9-inch display with a built-in webcam.  All three models in the line support both portrait and landscape mode, use USB for both power and video, and are PC and Mac compatible.  These displays are designed to be portable, each featuring a folding stand and including a snap-on screen cover for traveling.

The manufacturer web site indicates that their Smart USB displays should be available at a number of big-name retailers, both online and brick & mortar.  Press release is available after the jump. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear

Tagged: monitor, USB

DoubleSight ups the USB display ante originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 29, 2009 at 10:36 am.

The rumors had been circulating for weeks, but yesterday Wacom officially announced the addition of multitouch features to their Bamboo line of products:

• The Bamboo Touch ($69) provides multitouch functionality in a 5.4″ x 8.2″ tablet
• The Bamboo Pen & Touch ($99) allows both multitouch and pen input, is a slightly larger 9.8″ x 6.9″, and includes an assortment of software.
• The Bamboo Pen ($69) is identical to the Pen & Touch model, but forgoes multitouch in favor of a lower price point.
• The Bamboo Craft ($129) is identical to the Pen & Touch model, but comes in a silver finish and includes a more extensive selection of software.
• The Bamboo Fun ($199) is the largest in the line at 8.8″ x 13.3″, and includes pen & multitouch input, and the same software package as the Bamboo Craft.

All of the tablets in the Bamboo line are powered over USB, and support Windows XP through Windows 7, and Mac OS 10.4.8 or higher (though the press release specifically states that it supports 10.4 and 10.5, so support for Snow Leopard is unclear, though likely).

The complete Bamboo line of tablets are available for purchase now, both through retailers and through the Wacom online store.

Personally, I’m looking forward to finally being able to use MacBook-style gestures on my desktop.  Are you interested in multitouch on your desktop or non-multitouch laptop?  Please share your thoughts in the … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear

Tagged: Tablet, USB

Wacom releases multitouch Bamboo tablet originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 25, 2009 at 10:05 am.

If you have ever had a multi-monitor setup you know the added productivity it can provide.   The Diamond USB Display Adapter is a simple device that allows you to add an additional monitor using a spare USB port.  The adapter is basically a portable video card that works with your Mac or PC. The Diamond USB Adapter provides a portable solution for setting up multiple monitors, particularly ideal for laptop setups. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear

Tagged: Adapter, USB, Video card

Diamond USB Display Adapter Pro Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 24, 2009 at 7:27 am.

The Data Locker from Origin Storage is a device that combines a external USB hard drive with an added layer of security. It has a touch screen interface that can be programmed with a password of up to 18 digits. There’s also a self destruct response feature if it detects a brute force attack. There are 160GB, 320GB and 500GB versions available with 128 or 256-bit AES Hardware … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Flash Drive, USB

Keep your data safe with a Data Locker drive originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 7, 2009 at 5:05 pm.

Nothing can ruin a nice day outside quicker than unwelcome mosquitoes. Keep them at bay with this USB powered, ultrasonic insect repeller from Uxsight. It generates a low buzz, inaudible to the human ear while the mosquitoes do not like it and stay away. It is completely safe for adults and kids, as well as for your pets. It has an effective range of 1.5 square meters. You can get one for … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: USB

Wacky USB device of the day – Ultrasonic Mosquito Repeller originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 7, 2009 at 9:31 am.