Hasta La Gadget!

You heard it here first, folks: SuperSpeed USB is a reality. After waiting around for what feels like ages, USB 3.0 can now say it has its first certified product in NEC’s xHCI host controller. We know this may not be the most exciting first product to get the all-important seal of approval, but you’ve got to start somewhere. And hey, for those who know a thing or two about building a product to spec, having a legitimate host controller could sure come in handy. We spoke to Jeff Ravencraft, president and chairman of the USB-IF (the group that oversees certification and the like), and he stated that (officially) the group is still anticipating end products to hit shelves in early 2010. That said, this here host controller is available now in the open market, and he did confess that a number of manufacturers would likely try to get USB 3.0-equipped wares onto store shelves before that magical day in December.

He also noted that a smattering of companies would be showcasing USB 3.0 gear at upcoming trade shows, with a Buffalo external hard drive, an ExpressCard-to-USB 3.0 adapter and even a full-on laptop with a functioning USB 3.0 port making a stop at IDF later this week. Aside from the aforesaid ExpressCard adapter — which will let existing lappies enjoy the spoils of SuperSpeed USB — he also noted that a PCI card would be available for desktop users looking to add a few sockets to their rig. We were also informed that USB 3.0 receptor ports will play nice with USB 2.0 cables and gadgets, albeit at USB 2.0 speed; additionally, USB 3.0 wares will be able to connect via older USB 2.0 sockets, though again at a slower rate. We’ve got to say, the dual-backwards compatibility is pretty sweet.

We also asked him about cabling and the general market transition to USB 3.0, and he did note that USB 3.0 cables will be physically different inside. In other words, a USB 2.0 cable cannot carry data at USB 3.0 speeds, end of story. To enjoy USB 3.0, you’ll need a USB 3.0 receptor port, a USB 3.0 cable and a USB 3.0 product; if you swap any of those pieces with USB 2.0, everything slows to USB 2.0 rates. Jeff also noted that the USB-IF would be coordinating the release of end products and cables, and he even said that older USB protocols may actually never completely fade from the market. After all, wireless keyboards would never need USB 3.0 speeds unless some sort of display were integrated, and particularly in cheaper products, using an older USB chipset could help keep costs down and MSRPs lower. So yeah, USB 3.0 is officially here, but the public can’t play with any USB 3.0 gear just yet. But if our hunches are correct, we’d bet on at least one or two big players pushing out SuperSpeed-packin’ wares before the year ends.

Filed under: Peripherals

First USB 3.0 product gets certified, floodgates get closer to breaking originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With USB 3.0 on the horizon, we can only hope that the world’s purveyors of crap have a little respect for the forthcoming standard. By and large, USB 2.0 is plenty fast to handle the awful data transmissions between USB hand grenades, alien flash drives, moody card readers, Japanese fans and your PC, and frankly, we’re not sure if the world can handle oodles upon oodles of SuperSpeed rubbish. Have a peek at the latest roundup from the worst of the worst, but please, not while you’re eating.

Read – Bear hand warmers
Read – Solar cap fan
Read – USB hand fan
Read – USB moody card reader
Read – Alien flash drive
Read – Mosquito repellent USB dongle
Read – USB hand grenade

Filed under: Peripherals

Crapgadget: ‘Hopefully USB 3.0 can avoid this path’ edition originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last night at Pepcom’s Holiday Spectacular media event in mid-town Manhattan, Toshiba was showing off these cool little Transformer computer accessories, just in time for the 25th anniversary of the popular cartoon/comic book/action figure/movie franchise. There’s not a ton of details about the products yet, as Toshiba hasn’t officially officially announced them.

The devices will be out in the fourth quarter of this year (in time for the holidays, naturally) and will run $50 for either the USB key or the mouse, both of which have fully articulated transforming abilities.

Check out a picture of the mouse, after the jump.

Finally, a product that might finally make this whole internet thing worthwhile by allowing someone to copy a file over it. Amazing, right? Okay, facetiousness aside, it’s a little hard to get too excited about a product that will obviously cost something yet replicates a task easily performed for free, but the iTwin does make the process even more easy. It’s basically a double-sided thumb drive that splits apart in the middle; plug one half into one computer and the other into the second and instantly you can drag and drop files from place to place. An absolute computer novice could handle this, but we have to wonder: how many computer novices are swapping files anyway? If this also allowed remote terminal control so that you could fix problems on your mother’s computer while beaming over the latest pictures of the kids (and their illegally downloaded music) we might be a little more optimistic. No mention of price or availability, but there is a video demonstration below proving the tech works — even if the demo touchpad apparently doesn’t.

[Via TechCrunch]

Continue reading iTwin lets you share files over the internet

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

iTwin lets you share files over the internet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re inhabiting one of the few but increasingly common localities with WiMAX internets beaming through the airwaves, you’re probably looking for the least bulky and most efficient way to get connected. Motorola’s latest doesn’t look particularly more svelte than its previous USBw 100, but the USBw 200 is more efficient, requiring less than 1.5 watts of power despite the new “power boost” mode to connect more quickly to networks. Like its predecessor, it supports 2.3, 2.5, and 3.5GHz bands, and now includes Windows XP and Vista drivers on the device itself, so no pesky installation CD is required. No word on pricing or availability, but those figures will be largely be left to the discretion of wireless providers anyhow.

[Via jkOnTheRun]

Filed under: Wireless

Motorola’s USBw 200 WiMAX adapter takes less power, packs more drivers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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