While SD cards are the most common denominator for memory cards these days, we see more and more devices taking on microSD cards as the storage medium of choice due to the extremely small size that can hold just as much data as its full-sized brethren. OCZ Technology has recently released a three-in-one solution in the form of the OCZ Trifecta. This unique storage device comes in the shape of a regular SD card, but when the situation calls for it, you can always remove the microSD portion from the "adapter" and plug it into cellphones, portable media players, and other devices of its ilk.

What happens when you need to transfer data from the SD card itself, but are lacking in a memory card reader? Fret not, the OCZ Trifecta features a bottom section which can be removed to reveal a USB connector, whereby you will be able to plug it in directly into any available USB port and treat is as a flash drive. The OCZ Trifecta will be available in 1GB and 2GB capacities, featuring a high read speed of 66x. Each purchase comes with a 5 year warranty, by which that time the SDHC format would have long been the de facto standard.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Kingston has recently unveiled the DataTraveler Secure and DataTraveler Secure - Privacy Edition USB 2.0 flash drives that are capable of keeping your data well protected even under extreme conditions without the sacrifice of performance found in other flash drives available on the market. The DataTraveler Secure range of drives come in a rugged and waterproof design which are capable of withstanding harsh operating conditions, boasting hardware-based encryption to keep your data within safe from malicious parties. A titanium-coated stainless steel case keeps the 8GB worth of data inside virtually safe from external physical threats, while 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard encryption does away with the need for special software to encrypt and decrypt information.

In fact, the Privacy Edition boasts advanced security measures, including a complex password protocol that locks out any potential attacks once it detects ten consecutive failed password attempts. The DataTraveler Secure line of USB 2.0 flash drives come in capacities of 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB. Each purchase boasts a read rate of 24MB/sec and a write speed of 10MB/sec.

Source: Let’s Go Digital

Popularity: 4% [?]

Delayed flights no longer need to be one frustrating experience, if the Virtual Fitting Room (VFR) is anything to go by. The VFR offers a free service whereby users will be able to fit into their choice of clothes without going through the hassle of removing current articles. The Philadelphia Airport will be the first public building to debut with this service currently offered by Intellifit. The VFR comes in the shape of a cylindrical kiosk that measures seven feet in diameter and eight feet high. All you need to do is stand in the middle of the VFR for approximately 10 seconds and let the "antenna wand" pass through, where it will collect more than 200,000 data points which will be used to match your measurements against those of brand-name clothing stored in the company’s database.

Once your measurements are stored, you can begin your online shopping immediately without worrying about whether your ever-expanding girth will be able to fit into that lovely little black dress. Current brands that work with Intellifit’s technology includes Nordstrom, Levi’s, Lands’ End, GAP, Nautica, Dockers and Jos. A. Bank.

Source: PR Newswire

Popularity: 4% [?]

Sometimes we get calls for users complaining that their computer will not turn on.   If you are ever faced with this problem there are a few things you can try.   These tips are for those that are comfortable with removing parts of your computer.  Please do not attempt this if you are not familiar with the basic inner workings of your desktop computer. 

1)   1) Determine that the problem is not power plug related.  Hopefully your computer is connected to a battery backup or at least a power strip.  Try another strip first, and also use an alternate power receptacle to make sure the problem is not with your wiring or plugs. Battery backups do have a shelf life and I’ve also seen power strips go bad for no obvious reason.
      

2)      If your monitor light is on, swap the power cord with your monitor to test the power cord. 

More tips after the jump…

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Popularity: 4% [?]

I’ve been trying to get better at organizing my cable mess, so recently I bought a beautiful black box from The Container Store and hid all my power strips along with cables in it. The cables come out on one end to plug to my computer, and only two cables go out of the box to plug into the wall. It’s better than having a small mess of roll-up cables on one corner. My next project is going to focus on labeling cables. I currently have all those extra cables in a box, and it gets confusing trying to figure out what cable belongs to what gadget. I’ve been looking for an easy way to label those wires, and I’m glad I found the ID Pilot Wire Identification Labels. Three types of sticky labels are available (Office, Electronics, and Household) so you don’t ever have to wonder what cable goes to what. At $6 a package, these ID labels are a great buy.

Popularity: 9% [?]

I wish this was a concept design, but it’s not. Hammacher Schlemmer actually sells this Seven Person Conference Bicycle for a whopping $19,000! The circular bike supports up to 1,400 pounds which means you can take Mom, Dad, Uncle Joe, Aunt Betty, the next door neighbor, and his family on a joyride at least up and down the street. The bike has seven sets of pedals that propel the bike forward, while one person steers the bike along. The shiny red bike is so popular, it’s actually sold out.

Popularity: 4% [?]

I swear that USB-powered devices are the next best thing since sliced bread, but sometimes you go overboard and amass way too many of such devices compared to the paltry amount of USB ports currently available on your computer. Short of setting up a veritable mess of daisy chained USB hubs on your computer, it would make much more sense to pick up USB-powered devices that come with extra USB ports on them so that you will never run out of them. One such device is the Ritek Yego USB flash drive that comes in a Y-shape, boasting flash memory inside in addition to a couple of USB 2.0 ports for expansion options.

Capacities range from 128MB (who uses those these days?) to 4GB, and each Yego flash drive measures 69mm x 28.8mm x 13.5mm and weighs 17g. In addition to its USB-hub functionality, the Ritek Yego also features advanced partition and security functions that make it possible for users to create password-protected sectors for the storage of personal or highly confidential material.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

With MP3 functionality being integrated into virtually every device you see these days (cellphones, cameras, GPS navigation systems), it makes you wonder just how large an MP3 chipset would need to be. The MOTZ D.I.Y. Music Box offers an alternative to creative techno geeks, giving them the chance to insert MP3 functionality into virtually any other item they can think of. This basic kit is small enough to fit into a variety of items, so with a little know how, you will be able to groove to your favorite tunes on your alarm clock, mouse, or even clothing!

Don’t expect the sky with the MOTZ D.I.Y. Music Box though, since it offers the most basic functions at best. For $40 (minus shipping from Korea), you will get USB 2.0 connectivity, 256MB of internal memory, and support for MP3, WMA, and Ogg files. If you had the technical ability, where would you fit in this diminutive little Music Box?

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Popularity: 4% [?]

I take it that the majority of our readers out there aren’t exactly millionaires, as paying off the monthly bills alone are hard enough. The rich and uber rich, however, do not worry about such trivial matters in life, not when they have other things to mull over such as the next business to dive into, preserving their portfolio to "retire" comfortably, lining up that money shot at the golf course, or racking their brains on how to dote upon the latest trophy wife who has been constantly nagging about getting a new laptop just because her current Vaio has run out of hard drive space.

What’s a tycoon supposed to do then? Go out and get her the top-of-the-line Alienware gaming rig? No sir, you see, what a trophy wife wants is something functional and yet has plenty of bling to go round, making this cool $1 million laptop the perfect choice. This laptop comes with pretty spiffy specifications such as a 17" LED backlight display, a 128GB hard drive (that’s a weird number for a hard drive if I ever saw one), and a slot-loading Blu-ray drive. The reason why it costs so darn much is due to the fact that you need to insert a specific diamond that comes along with each purchase into a form-fitting receptacle to turn on the laptop. In addition, there is an integrated screen cleaning device that prevents your favorite blonde gal from breaking her newly-painted fingernails while she’s at it.

Source: Gizmag

Popularity: 4% [?]

Sprint Nextel has upped the ante in the fast expanding music phone market by bringing you the new Samsung Upstage. If you experience a sense of deja vu after laying eyes on the Upstage, chances are its because you have already seen it back at CES where it went by the moniker Samsung Ultra Music F300. The Upstage is not entirely the same handset since it is no longer a GSM device, although it retains the unique 2-face styling in a shape that is reminiscent of the iPod nano. Sprint executives horsed around, claiming Samsung planned to upstage Apple’s iPhone, and hence the name.

A quick glance at the specifications show that that is not the case since the Upstage and iPhone are world’s apart. While the Upstage features EV-DO 3G data connectivity that the iPhone sorely lacks, other features are pretty ho-hum, such as Bluetooth 2.0, a 1.3 megapixel camera, 45MB of internal memory, and a microSD memory card slot crammed into a 4.07" × 1.73" × 0.37" body. Sprint will start selling the Upstage from April onwards for $149.99 with a spanking new 2-year contract.

Source: Mobile Tracker

Popularity: 4% [?]