Check out these new USB “Key”-shaped flash drives that you can link on your keychain.

Aexea KeyXpress Flash Drive is a fashionable and stylish mass storage device. You can hook it on your mobile phone so that your data and information will be there wherever you go. Just plug it into the USB port, and the computer will automatically detect and configure without restarting.

via techfresh, brando

I do admit to daily organization of my SVIDEO and audio cables to hook up my PC to my HDTV for online movies but here’s a new Wireless USB to VGA Kit from IOGear that will let you clone a monitor to another without the wires.

IOGEAR to Debut Industry-First Wireless USB to VGA Kit that Streams PC Content to An Alternate In-Room Display

Allows users to view spreadsheets and photos wirelessly on a larger screen

Irvine, CA – August 25, 2008 – Consumers who desire a simple way to view content on a bigger screen can now extend or clone their desktop to their HDTV or projector and enjoy increased visibility by utilizing IOGEAR’s Wireless USB to VGA Kit, certified by the USB Implementers Forum. The product is the first of its kind to receive certification in the US, which guarantees that a device is backward- and forward-compliant with previous and future USB technology.

The Wireless USB to VGA Kit provides HD video streaming between a PC and TV or projector up to 720p within a 30-foot in-room range. Users can edit grids and documents, view photos or browse the Internet on their HDTV’s big screen, without any cable clutter. Consumers can also utilize a TV’s picture-in-picture function to multitask, such as watching a football game while viewing a Fantasy Football grid on the same screen. The Kit consists of one Wireless USB adapter to connect to a laptop or desktop and one wireless VGA adapter to plug into a VGA display.

The product is an ideal solution for surfaces that are difficult to wire, such as marble and fireplaces. By communicating between devices wirelessly and eliminating material waste, the Wireless USB to VGA Kit is an eco-conscious choice for users who want an environmentally-friendly way to streamline entertainment and work spaces.

“At IOGEAR, we strive to bring the most innovative products to market to meet the demands of consumers,” said Miranda Su, executive vice president of IOGEAR. “Our new Wireless USB to VGA Kit eliminates the hassle of multiple tangled wires, providing wireless communication between popular home and office devices.”

The Wireless USB to VGA Kit is compatible with Windows XP 32-bit (Service Pack 2) or Vista (32-/64-bit) operating systems. The product will be available in September 2008 for $229.95 (MSRP) from all major catalog and online resellers, as well as select retail outlets.

via engadget

Check out this really cool little Crayola keyboard for kids.

Teach your little one how to type with Crayola® EZ Type Keyboard. Works alone or with other Crayola computer accessories!

via redferret, Product Page

I don’t think Jerry Seinfeld will help the sales of Vista operating system, but at least the commercials will be funny enough to watch.

What do I think about Microsoft still trying to push their Vista operating system?

It’s basically worthless operating system bundled with so many features you can’t use unless you buy a computer with Vista installed.  Even then, your Vista is not guaranteed to work with all your peripherals with constant, annoying firewall prompts.

Microsoft Corp., weary of being cast as a stodgy oldster by Apple Inc.’s advertising, is turning for help to Jerry Seinfeld.

The software giant’s new $300 million advertising campaign, devised by a newly hired ad agency, has been closely guarded. But Mr. Seinfeld will be one of the key celebrity pitchmen, say people close to the situation. He will appear with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates in ads and receive about $10 million for the work, they say.

via wired, wsj

via

Microsoft Ultimate Office is supposedly being sold for $59.95 for a limited time only.

We think this is just another horrible act by Microsoft to make money off their outdated software before everyone starts realizing that most of Microsoft’s software can be now replicated by Google Docs or other free software.

But if you do need MS Office, you can get one for $59.95.

REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 21, 2008 — As part of Microsoft Corp.’s commitment to education, the company is re-introducing The Ultimate Steal program this school year, inviting students who are actively enrolled at educational institutions to purchase Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 at a low student price of $59.95 (U.S.). This program begins in the United States today with additional countries to be launched throughout the year. The offer will be available to students throughout the academic school year.

via gadgetell, Microsoft, Press Release

I do prefer wooden USBs over plastic ones simply due to the fact that they are more shock-absorbent upon dropping them from high floors.

This one is from Japan and does indeed look pretty cool.

I like this Wooden Thumb Drive. Its casing is made of cedar wood and provides 1GB of storage capacity. The Wooden Thumb Drive retails for approx. $62 in Japan.

via techfresh, Product Page, Product Press Release

Related:

Wooden USB Flash Drive

How to convert your USB drive into a wooden USB

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

Here’s a really cool PC Case mod, a DIY on how to make mirror-finish PC Case surface.

Spray paint your PC case and give it a mirror finish.
You won’t need expensive painting equipment and supplies.
You’ll find most of the products I used at hardware and
automotive stores.

3M Perfect It III Compounds and 3M Imperial Hand Glaze is usually sold in Autobody Supply Stores, but I’ve linked them to an online resource.
I prefer using carnauba type car wax, but any automotive wax will work fine.
Regardless of wax used, you must allow paint to cure for at least 30 days before applying wax.

via make, core77, DIY Page

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

As a person who owns both a regular old flatbed scanner separately from the keyboard, I can appreciate the importance of having the scanner closer to the mouse.

This Keyscan Keyboard comes with a 4800dpi scanner attached to the top of the keyboard for easy document scanning.  I think this is a pretty good idea.

Scanning type: Sheet-Feed scanner
Scanning mode:
Color: 24/48** bits high quality
Gray: 8/16** bits gray level
Black & white
Media size: 8.5″x30″ ……2″x3″
Document release:
Bi directional automatically triggered by
document length
True-Optical resolution: 600 dpi
Optical technology: High quality and reliable color CIS technology
Output resolution:
From 50 dpi to 4800 dpi
Scanning speed: High-speed USB2 scanner
Fast functions:
4 dedicated fast scan function keys
PC interface: High-speed USB2
Software interface:
Twain interface and USB2 driver
Power adapter: AC 100~240V

via wired

For Do-It-Yourselfers, making your onw multi-touch input device has never been easier with the DIY Multi-Touch Kit.

TouchKit is a modular multitouch development kit with the aim to make multitouch readily available in an open source fashion. It is a sister project of the CUBIT multitouch system and aimed at rapid implementation of multitouch projects.

via make, Product Page