New Features of USB 3.0

GigaOM posted several new features of USB 3.0. These are my favorites:

• Did I mention it was 4.8gbps?
• Fully backwards compatible (as expected)
• It’s more energy efficient
• Backed by every major company

USB 3.0 Hardware

There still isn’t a lot of hardware available for USB 3.0 yet, but what is available is getting good reviews. For example, this USB 3.0 external hard drive is already getting rave reviews for reliability and speed. If you have a desktop computer that accepts PCI cards, you can upgrade your computer now with this USB 3.0 PCI card and one of these cables.

How Fast is USB 3.0? is a post from: Mobile Meandering

How many times have you found yourself with your USB sync cable, a dying iPhone, but no USB power adapter? If you’re like me, it’s happened enough time to want one of these.

The new TruePower U-Socket power outlet not only works as a normal three-pronged AC wall outlet, it also lets you plug in your mobile devices via USB, so you can recharge them.

TruePower U-Socket Power Outlet Details (Model: ACE-7169)

The TruePower U-Socket power outlet solution includes two Universal Serial Bus (USB) charge ports in addition to the two standard three prong power outlet ports.

Perfect for charging any USB powered device including- mobile, iPod, iPhone, iPad, PDA, MP3, PSP, MP4 player & digital camera.

Specifications for the TruePower U-Socket Power Outlet

• Input voltage: AC 100 to 240V 50/60Hz
• USB input current: 80mA
• Output voltage: USB: DC 5.0V 600mA
• Operation temperature: -15 to 45 Degrees Celsius
• Relative humidity: < 95%
• Air pressure: 86 to 106kPa

TruePower U-Socket Installation

This item can be installed on any existing wall outlet.

USB Power Outlet for Recharging Your Mobile Devices, Like iPhones, iPods, iPads is a post from: Mobile Meandering

It looks like L5 Technology may have a hit on their hands. They’re releasing a remote control for the iPhone called the L5 Remote. The cost is going to be about $50 when it’s released in February, 2010. It will also come with a free iPhone app.

How Does L5 Remote Work?

Consumers purchase the L5 Remote hardware – an adaptor measuring 1.25 x .85 inches – and plug it into the iPhone or iPod touch docking port. They will then be prompted to download a free app from the iTunes App Store, which allows them to simply drag-and-drop to create their own customized remote control interface. The app will guide them through a short process of programming the app to control the infrared devices.

Using infrared technology, the L5 Remote can control any number of devices in any number of rooms. Consumers can easily set it up to control products in the living room, bedroom, office, or any other location. The L5 Remote will work to a distance of approximately 30 feet.

The L5 Remote is portable and does not require batteries, Wi-Fi or external power to work. The product can control thousands of devices, including TVs, cable boxes, stereos, DVD players, ceiling fans, air conditioners, and many other products.

iPhone Remote Control for Your TV is a post from: Mobile Meandering

I just ordered a Jawbone Prime Bluetooth headset. The Jawbone seems to have very good reviews and it’s supposed to work off the vibrations of your jaw bone (hence its name.) There’s a small piece of plastic on the inside of the headset that rests on the side of your face, which is supposed to do the trick. It’s also supposed to have some of the most advanced noise cancellation features, which will be nice if it works.

I should get it sometime this week and will spend several days putting it through the ropes. I’ll let you know if I like it or not.

Jawbone Prime Bluetooth Headset is a post from: Mobile Meandering

The iPod Nano got a video camera and the iPod Touch didn’t. In an interview with Steve Jobs in the New York Times by David Pogue, Jobs explained it’s absence as being related to price and market interest.

…Apple is really pitching the iPod Touch as a game machine these days. And to do that, you have to make it as inexpensive as possible.

“Originally, we weren’t exactly sure how to market the Touch. Was it an iPhone without the phone? Was it a pocket computer? What happened was, what customers told us was, they started to see it as a game machine,” he said. “We started to market it that way, and it just took off. And now what we really see is it’s the lowest-cost way to the App Store, and that’s the big draw. So what we were focused on is just reducing the price to $199. We don’t need to add new stuff. We need to get the price down where everyone can afford it.”

Another interesting thing about the video camera in the iPod Nano is that it can’t take still pictures. Jobs explained that it couldn’t, because of differences in the size of hardware that enable it to take still pictures versus capturing video.

iPhone 3.1

Apple updated the iPhone software from 3.0 to 3.1. The main new features included:

• Genius is now supported for applications
• Access to 30,000 ringtones (woop-de-doo!)
• Voice control now works over Bluetooth
• Keeps original copies of videos after editing

iTunes 9

iTunes experienced an upgrade. Overall, I like the new polished look and features. The main new featured included:

• Manage your screens for iPhone
• Support for new multimedia enhancements for albums
• Tweaks galore!

Of course it also included one more new feature, breaking the Palm Pre syncing. Haha, suckers! Oh, and the other suckers are iPod Touch owners, who still have to pay for the iPhone 3.1 update.

iPhone and iTunes Gets Updated is a post from: Mobile Meandering