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USB key struts stuff on fashion runway

The trend of computing peripherals as fashion items has led to some egregious excess, but SanDisk is trying to bring good design to the relative masses. Its glossy black "Cruzer Contour" is a high-speed USB flash drive that has "the elegant look and feel of a fine fountain pen or wristwatch," according to Fareastgizmos. While we're all in favor or tasteful equipment, we're still not sure if we would invest $90, $150 or $240 (for 2GB, 4GB or 8GB) just to flaunt a USB key. For that kind of money, we might want a … Read more

Pioneer sees USB as the way to MP3

Pioneer is following Ford and Microsoft in its adoption of USB ports for the playback of digital audio in the car. Here at CES, Pioneer is debuting the snappily named DEH-P6900UB and DEH-P690UB, two new stereo head units that come with built-in USB jacks for hooking up portable media players or thumbdrives.

When connected via USB, media players, such as iPods and Zunes, can be controlled entirely via the head unit, giving drivers high-speed control over their digital media, including content subject to iTunes (Fairplay) and Windows Media digital rights management. As well as a built-in USB port, both head … Read more

Philips aggressively prices upcoming 1080p 63-inch plasma TV

Vizio is making news at CES 2007 with a $3,000 60-inch plasma TV, but Philips has a big-screen plasma model of its own that it's going to price very aggressively at $3,500 (MSRP) when it arrives in stores in June. At 63 inches, the Philips 63PFP7422D is actually bigger and features 1080p resolution, USB connectivity for displaying digital photo slide shows and MP3 playback, and a motorized swiveling stand. That $3,500 is a suggested retail price, so we expect the real price to be even lower, possibly closer to $3,000. Of course, the Vizio will … Read more

USB keys for 'Year of the Pig'

Items like this appear to leave little doubt that Western capitalistic values have taken firm hold in China.

Lenovo and the Beijing Zhongshi Boda Company have released a pair of gold and silver USB drives made from 30 grams of the precious metals. Spluch says they're being sold as a limited-edition set to commemorate the "Year of the Pig" according to the lunar calendar, inscribed with Chinese proverbs, for $1,280 in Beijing. That's a lot of money, especially in China, but it's still a bargain compared with this single USB key from Japan that … Read more

'Snow Drive' released; skiers sneer

There's something of a generation gap at Crave, but we try not to get into that whole skiers-vs.-snowboarders thing. Even those of us who have never set boot in a board can appreciate the concept behind the "Snow Drive" USB storage keys. Pclaunches says ACP-EP Memory designed the drives in conjunction with top snowboard makers, as well as endorsements from such athletes as X-Games star Eddie Wall, who has lent his name to a special signature series. But if you're not into winter sports, you can wait till summer to break out a "Surf Drive&… Read more

New Year's Resolution: Stop caring about pointless USB devices

In the end-of-'06 wrap-up madness, there are a whole lot of people talking about Web 2.0, YouTube, social media, connected-home technology, the Wii and its corresponding Wiinjuries...the list goes on. But there's been almost no mention of the rash of completely useless USB-powered devices that infested the gadget market in 2006 with a viciousness that can only be compared to bubonic plague in a medieval village or head lice in a kindergarten classroom. I mean, they were everywhere. They're so ubiquitous, in fact, that I've decided I'm not going to touch 'em in '… Read more

USB Webcam key does double duty

As much as it pains us to admit it, some of us at Crave don't have the latest personal technologies in our personal possession. One such glaring omission, for example, is a laptop with a built-in Webcam.

As shameful as this is, we hope to still be able to partly make up for this shortcoming with something like the diminutive "Volvex," a USB stick with built-in camera from Sunyang DNT. Unfortunately, PClaunches says this little combo gadget will be available only in South Korea until further notice, starting at $59 for a model with 512MB storage. But … Read more

Laser mouse needs to cut the cord

Sometimes, we have to wonder what manufacturers are thinking when they sit down at the drawing table. Case in point: a corded mouse with a built-in laser pointer.

We understand the concept, that people presumably would find some value in having a pointer for presentations to impress their clients and bosses. And Fareastgizmos notes that the pointer in Kokuyo's wired USB optical mouse will never run out of batteries. But how sophisticated would it look when the mouse is pulled just a little too far and yanks your laptop clean off the desk?

It's the same issue we … Read more

World's smallest USB hub

It seems like not that long ago when USB hubs were nearly the size of the computer itself. In fact, it seems like not that long ago when few people even knew what USB meant. But then again, we're pretty old. Anyway, enough depressing digression.

Chip Chick has found what appears to be "the world's smallest USB hub," which seems to be barely bigger than most USB storage keys. The "T3Hub" can serve up to three devices, including one high-power gadget if needed. We wish these were around before the days when desktops and … Read more