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Belkin N900 DB router review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi, USB
Belkin announced the N900 DB router back at CES. The Advance N900 DB is a dual-band Wi-Fi router that supports 802.11a/b/g/n connections, capable of reaching 450 Mbps speeds due in part to its six MultiBeam antennas. The Belkin Advance N900 DB also sports a feature called IntelliStream, which automatically prioritizes video streaming, gaming, and VoIP data. The router also packs a 600 MHz multi-thread processor, and two USB 2.0 ports that you can connect hard drives to for access to that data from network devices. The Belkin Advance N900 DB is available now for $199--but is it worth your hard-earned Bejamins? We answer that question in our review.
Click to continue reading Belkin N900 DB router review
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Apple prepping MacBook Pro with Retina display, USB 3.0
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Rumors, USB
Apple is preparing to launch a redesigned MacBook Pro that'll be sporting all sorts of new features. According to multiple sources, the new MacBook Pro will feature a new, ultra-thin unibody design, USB 3.0 ports (a first for Apple,) and at the center of it all, a "jaw-dropping" Retina display.
How's Apple gonna achieve making a thin notebook even thinner? With the removal of two components. First, the optical drive is going bye-bye. Apple started phasing out optical drives with the release of the original MacBook Air, and then continued the trend with the latest Mac mini. With the release of the Mac App Store, and broadband being to ubiquitous, it stands to reason that digital files and downloads are here to stay. Apple does still sell an external optical drive that connects via USB for those who need it.
Click to continue reading Apple prepping MacBook Pro with Retina display, USB 3.0
This is a good look at how far companies like Western Digital have come in the storage game. The small, black device is a new 2TB My Passport portable hard drive. The larger silver device behind it is a 1TB MyBook that's probably about 4-years old. Yep, the new My Passport is probably 90% smaller than the older MyBook, and holds twice as much data.
Western Digital My Passport portable storage line hits 2TB
Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Storage, USB
Western Digital has announced the availability of its new My Passport line, which tops out at 2 TB of storage. Yup, you read right, 2TB. WD VP Jim Welsh went on the record saying, "It's the perfect blend of monstrous capacity, reliability and user-friendly technology in a sleek form factor." Also, the storage devices come in five colors, so you can have your storage device color coordinate with your shoes, if that’s a selling factor for you. The hard-drives are priced at $250 and feature USB 3.0 for quick transfers. There are other sizes as well, if 2TB is overkill. Pricing is as follows: $129.99 for 500 GB, $149.99 for 750 GB, $179.99 for 1 TB, $199.99 for 1.5 TB, and $249.99 for the new 2 TB edition. Check out the entire line on Amazon. You can read more from the press release after the jump.
Click to continue reading Western Digital My Passport portable storage line hits 2TB
Microsoft readying Kinect for Windows PCs
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, USB, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Video Games
Microsoft is adjusting firmware and optimizing certain hardware components to ready its Kinect motion-sensing input device for PCs running Windows, the company said Tuesday. Microsoft currently sells Kinect as a peripheral for its Xbox 360 game consoles, but has announced a Kinect for Windows commercial program that begins in early 2012.
"Coupled with the numerous upgrades and improvements our team is making to the Software Development Kit (SDK) and runtime, the new hardware delivers features and functionality that Windows developers and Microsoft customers have been asking for," Craig Eisler, general manager of Kinect for Windows, wrote in a blog post.
"Simple changes include shortening the USB cable to ensure reliability across a broad range of computers and the inclusion of a small dongle to improve coexistence with other USB peripherals," Eisler elaborated. "Of particular interest to developers will be the new firmware which enables the depth camera to see objects as close as 50 centimeters in front of the device without losing accuracy or precision, with graceful degradation down to 40 centimeters. 'Near Mode' will enable a whole new class of 'close up' applications, beyond the living room scenarios for Kinect for Xbox 360. This is one of the most requested features from the many developers and companies participating in our Kinect for Windows pilot program and folks commenting on our forums, and we're pleased to deliver this, and more, at launch."
The announcement comes the same day that Microsoft acquired VideoSurf for $70 million with an eye towards integrating the San Mateo, Calif.-based company's online video search technology into its Xbox Live ecosystem.
Click to continue reading Microsoft readying Kinect for Windows PCs
2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Twelve South PlugBug
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, USB, Apple, PC / Laptop, Techies, Under $100, Under $250, Under $50, Under $500
The next featured gadget in our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide is the Twelve South PlugBug. It's a device that's so simple that it's hard to believe no one has come up with this until now. The PlugBug snaps onto your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air wall charger, giving you a powered USB port in the process. The results? You can then charge both your Apple notebook, and a USB device (like an iPhone or iPad) at the same time, using just one outlet. Genuis! This means that when you're on the go, you can carry one less charger, and you'll have one less outlet to try and find. You can get the PlugBug on Amazon for $34.
Read More 
| PlugBug
Mac OS X Lion now available on USB thumb drive for $69
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software, USB
Apple is now selling its updated Mac OS X Lion operating system as a $69 thumb drive.
The device is currently shipping within one to three business days.
"OS X Lion is available on a USB thumb drive for installation without the need for a broadband Internet connection," Apple said on its Web site. "Just plug the drive into your USB port and follow the instructions to install."
Click to continue reading Mac OS X Lion now available on USB thumb drive for $69
Seagate announces GoFlex Turbo external drive
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, USB, Peripherals, Storage
Seagate on Monday announced the availability of the new GoFlex Turbo hard drive, with a speedy 7200 rpm drive speed as well as SafteyNet data recovery.
The GoFlex Turbo gets its speedy moniker by first using a 7,200 rpm hard drive mechanism, faster than the usual 5,400 rpm mechanisms found in portable hard drives. It extends the speed with an included USB 3.0 interface, which is also compatible with older USB 2.0 ports (at a slower speed). Last, but not least, the drive has "Turbo" lettering on the side of the hard drive's case, which of course lets you know that this drive is the fast one.
Click to continue reading Seagate announces GoFlex Turbo external drive
Deal of the Day: 39% off 1 TB Toshiba Canvio USB 2/3.0 external drive
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, USB, Hot Deals, Storage
Today eBay caught our attention with their awesome deal on the Toshiba Canvio 1TB USB 2.0/3.0 portable hard drive, so we're making it our Deal of the Day. This is a great price on a USB 3.0-compatible device, and these normall sell for $140, but this deal gets it to you for $84, saving you 39% off the regular price. Shipping is free:
Don’t forget, if you’re looking for other deals, be sure to check out our Newegg Promo Code thread. Oh, and if you're on Twitter, be sure to follow @TechPromos for the latest deals, or you can Like TechPromos on Facebook.
Read More | Toshiba Canvio deal
Ubiquisys attocell will be a personal femtocell for the iPhone
Posted by Reza Malayeri Categories: Accessories, USB, Cell Phones, Wireless / WiFi
Today Ubiquisys announced a new smartphone accessory called attocell; a personal femtocell for the iPhone and other 3G mobile phones. "This remarkable device is a personal mobile phone signal, with a range so tiny it can be used anywhere that your laptop has an internet connection. It provides a great mobile service anywhere in the world, and calls are made and received as though on the home country network."
Depending on the local signal regulations, the device can operate in either the 5mm mode, or it can broadcast a signal within a room. This allows the attocell to intelligently scan the surrounding cellular networks and make sure that it does not have any negative impact on the local operators cell signal.
Travellers across the globe will soon be able to carry the attocell along on their trips, and avoid paying those hefty international roaming rates.
Read More | Ubiquisys Attocell
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