It’s taken a while, but Verizon has finally released Mac drivers for its 4G LTE modems; well, at least one of them. The LG VL600 we reviewed – and were so impressed by its data speeds – is still Windows-only, but the Pantech UML290 now has official OS X support.
We’ve already actually seen an unofficial UML290 Mac hack, but this new release makes things a lot more official. The Pantech UML290 is priced at $100 with a new, two-year agreement; data plans range from $50 to $80 per month.
Media fans that use a Roku XD|S or HD-XR media steaming device will be glad to hear that a new update is coming for both of the devices. The new update adds a feature that lots of people that own the devices have been waiting for. The feature is called Rocku USB Media player.
You can probably guess exactly what the new feature allows you to do. The support allows the user to play content back from a connected USB drive directly. A few of the details are left out, but Roku has offered a pretty clear picture of how and what you can do.
The feature supports direct playback from USB drives for KV (H.264), MP4 (H.264), MOV (H.264), WMV/ASF (WMV9/VC-1), MP3, AAC, JPG, and PNG files. The firmware supporting the new feature is version 2.9 build 1529 that landed last week.
Just about every NAS offers a way to open up the contents of your network-attached storage to external access, allowing you to quickly retrieve a document or media file you’ve forgotten while on the move, but all too often the settings required are too tricky for the average user. Princeton reckons it has the answer, though, with the MyDitto DE-MD2H2T, a 2TB drive that comes with a USB stick that when plugged into a remote computer automatically gives access to the NAS’ files.
The MyDitto USB key loads a special management app and automatically negotiates the encrypted link between whichever computer you’re on and the NAS back home. Rather than having to remember passwords and login URLs, it’s a simple case of jamming in the stick and browsing the directories as if you were on your home network. Up to thirty keys can be registered to any one MyDitto unit (supporting four active simultaneously).
There’s also a pair of USB 2.0 ports for hooking up external storage, a gigabit ethernet port for your network, and UPNP/DLNA and iTunes server support. Princeton also offer an iOS app for remote access from your iPhone. The Princeton MyDitto DE-MD2H2T is available in Japan now, priced at 39,800 yen ($484) for the main NAS (with two keys); twin packs of extra keys are 2,980 yen each ($36).
Inserting a USB connector is generally a fairly simple task. But there’s always that little pesky split second you spend checking which side is on top. Now considering how many devices these days rely on us plugging and unplugging their USB connectors, we are possibly wasting loads of time each day. This problem may now be solved should the Double USB design from Yanko be adopted as a standard.
Yanko Designs has offered up another beautifully simple solution. The Double USB features two contact layers that expand and contract freely and hence would fit in either direction. When inserted, regardless which orientation, one of the contact layers will be pushed in allowing the right one to make contact.
Scosche unveils its new line of gear for 2011 back at CES early this month. Among that new gear that it was showing off was the flipSYNC II charging cable for your key ring. The original flipSYNC cable was a very cool device that you could get in a version for Apple gear of for USB charging gear.
The small cable made it easy to take one with you everywhere so you were never caught out without a charge. The flipSYNC II cable shown off at CES 2011 is very similar looking and comes in version for Apple gear and one for micro and mini USB gear as well.
The big difference between the new flipSYNC II and the original flipSYNC is the new second version has a full size USB connector without making it dramatically larger. Either of the flipSYNC II modes is available for $19.99 with Apple.com selling the iPod version directly.
Cutting through the back and forth surrounding Windows Phone 7 tethering are two new hacks, with one being markedly easier than the other to implement. After discovering the option in Samsung’s Focus and Omnia 7 late last year, engineering minds over at xda-developers have now uncovered a method to allow USB internet tethering on HTC’s smattering of Windows Phone 7 handsets. Unfortunately, you’ll need to unlock your device before any of this will work, but the case is definitely different for Dell’s Venue Pro. For that one, you’ll simply need to modify the .INF file — no unlock required. Hit the links below for the devilish details, and try not to set up a P2P farm using your phone’s 3G connection. We hear carriers are none too fond of that foolhardiness.
The folks at Plantronics are celebrating their 50th anniversary by announcing some brand new communication devices, software, and services. Amongst them, two items stand out: the Voyager PRO UC Bluetooth headset and the Calisto 825 speakerphone set. In addition to these two, a Plantronics Unified Communications Toolkit has been announced, “the industry’s first” totally complete set of tools, training, and documentation “for expanding the growth of unified communications solutions. Ken Kannappan, president and chief executive officer at Plantronics, notes the following: “We want to end the pain-points that people experience when trying to stay connected at work or home. We think everyone – from consumers to mobile professionals to the business world- should be able to simply communicate regardless of device or location. We want to deliver innovative products with uncompromising quality, an ideal experience and extraordinary service so everyone can simply communicate.”
The Voyager PRO UC Bluetooth headset will ring in at $199.95, and features a revolution in mobile phone and PC communications via some excellent smart sensor technology. Using advanced technology to make your whole entire experience completely simple this headset appears to be one that you just slide in and use.
The Calisto 800 Series, in particular the 825 (ringing up at $259.95) enables you to use multi-device hands-free connectivity with visual call management with a user interface they say is totally intuitive. Made specifically well for working with Microsoft Office Communicator and Lync, this device and it’s 800 family were made for private and home office workers who’ve just gotta have multiple communication devices (me! us!) to work and collaborate effectively. The Calisto 825 also manages calls between a PC and a mobile phone, and features a unique wireless mic that’s got unparalleled speakerphone audio quality and freedom of movement.
Check out the full press release below:
Plantronics Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation and Unveils New Unified Communications Products and Services
The Award Winning Voyager PRO UC, the New Calisto 825 and New UC Toolkit Accelerate Unified Communications Adoption and Deployments
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 26, 2011 – Plantronics (NYSE: PLT) today announced new additions to its Unified Communications portfolio that span communication devices, software, and services. Plantronics is delivering a vision of smarter, more intuitive communications and pioneering the next generation of mobile communications devices and technologies to help people stay connected regardless of location or device. Plantronics celebrates its 50 year milestone with a look to the future by offering the new Plantronics UC Toolkit, the industry’s first complete set of tools, training and documentation for expanding the growth of unified communications solutions and two new flagship products for the UC market, VoyagerTM PRO UC and Calisto® 825, also announced today.
The company’s celebration will be held at an event filled with customers, partners, industry influencers and employees at company headquarters in Santa Cruz, Calif. The guest of honor is world famous astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin who was wearing a Plantronics headset when he managed the Apollo mission that heralded the first moonwalk nearly 42 years ago. Aldrin will be joined on stage with Plantronics CEO Ken Kannappan to honor the heritage of the industry pioneer and celebrate continued innovation. The event will be streamed live online and replays can be seen here:http://www.plantronics.com/launch/
“This is a pivotal time in Plantronics history as we celebrate the half century mark and embark upon an exciting time of innovation and industry leadership. It’s an ideal time to introduce the world to our vision of Simply Smarter CommunicationsTM,” said Ken Kannappan, president and chief executive officer at Plantronics. “We want to end the pain-points that people experience when trying to stay connected at work or home. We think everyone – from consumers to mobile professionals to the business world- should be able to simply communicate regardless of device or location. We want to deliver innovative products with uncompromising quality, an ideal experience and extraordinary service so everyone can simply communicate.”
Simply Smarter CommunicationsTM
Behind the Vision
The “office” has transformed from four walls, a desk and a computer, to something much more fluid, mobile and familiar. No matter the location – home, airport, coffee shop or café – today’s distributed workforce requires instant access to information and people. People want solutions that save time, so they can conduct their business with more productivity and efficiency. Plantronics is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of this new world and create the “hub” for communications, whether users want to communicate via PC or mobile phones, deskphones or softphones.
Industry Supports the Vision
Today’s event will be filled with Plantronics executives, customers, partners, industry influencers and employees. Industry leaders Avaya®, Cisco® and Microsoft® will be speaking on the importance of unified communications in the enterprise and how Plantronics and they are working together to offer customers solution to simply communicate.
Plantronics UC Toolkit
Available today, the new Plantronics UC Toolkit is a portfolio of IT best practices, guidelines, recommendations, and training tools that encompass the entire lifecycle of a unified communications implementation. The Plantronics UC Toolkit empowers IT organizations so they can have the best UC audio device experience and adoption rates – and ultimately optimize their companies UC investment.
“Now, more than ever, enterprises are embracing the move to unified communications, said Bill Loewenthal, vice president of unified communications at Plantronics. “We created the Plantronics UC Toolkit by leveraging best practices learned through helping our customers deploy UC solutions. The only resource of its kind, the UC Toolkit is designed to arm and empower IT professionals with the best information to meet the demands of today’s business world. With the introduction of the Plantronics UC Toolkit, we are extending our legacy of 50 years of innovation to help our customers embrace our vision of Simply Smarter Communications.”
Plantronics Expands Product Portfolio for Unified Communications
The next generation award-winning Voyager PRO UC Bluetooth headset, announced today, revolutionizes mobile phone and PC communications through smart sensor technology. It uses advanced hardware and software that seamlessly eliminate communication complexity by detecting presence, integrating with your PC applications, and dramatically enhancing the headset experience.
The Calisto 800 Series, also announced today, are the first speakerphones in Plantronics’ unified communications product portfolio that combine multi-device hands-free connectivity with intuitive visual call management. Optimized for use with Microsoft® Office Communicator and LyncTM, these products were designed for private and home office workers who depend on multiple communication devices to collaborate effectively. The Calisto 800 Series also includes the Calisto 825, which manages calls between a PC and a mobile phone. The Calisto 825 features a unique wireless microphone that provides unparalleled speakerphone audio quality and freedom of movement.
Please visit www.plantronics.com/calisto to learn more.
Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements relating to Unified Communications (”UC”) and our Voyager Pro UC and Calisto 800 series. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated are: (i) UC solutions may not be adopted with the breadth and speed in the marketplace that we currently anticipate and (ii) our plans are dependent upon adoption of our UC solution by major platform providers such as Microsoft, Cisco, Avaya, Alcatel, and IBM, and we have a limited ability to influence such providers with respect to the functionality of their platforms, their rate of deployment, and their willingness to integrate their platforms with our solutions. For more information concerning these and other possible risks, please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2010, quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q, particularly the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Certain Forward-Looking Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as recent press releases. Plantronics undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Pioneer has outed a pair of new in-car stereos, the MVH-8300BT and MVH-7300, which each prioritize external digital media sources like iPods and iPhones. Each has a 3-inch LCD TFT display and a 7-way rotary controller; the button backlighting and wallpaper can be customized to match your dashboard, too.
Inputs include USB, an SD card slot and an aux-in, and if you hook up your iPod or iPhone you can see album art, playlists, videos and other content on the Pioneer’s display. There’s also App Mode, which displays content from third-party iOS apps on the head-unit, as long as those apps have some sort of video output support.
There’s MP3, WMA and AAC support, and up to 32GB SDHC cards can be read; Pioneer also throws in an 8-band equalizer and various audio DSP tech to tweak the best out of compressed music. Finally, the MVH-8300BT gets Parrot Bluetooth hands-free. No word on pricing or availability at this stage.
With more gadgets wanting to get their juice via USB, and the contents of our hardware bags quickly outnumbering the AC sockets on offer, manufacturers are getting clever to ways they can extend what power ports are accessible at any one time. FlipIt! may have a silly exclamation point in its name, but it also has a reasonably compact way of doubling up a standard US AC socket, sandwiching its connection in-between the wall and a regular plug.
As the graphic above suggests, the connections are hidden in the blue rotating arm; the body of the adapter can rotate 270-degrees. The output is a single USB port giving 5V/750mA, which should be plenty for a smartphone.
It’ll also work with international voltages, though since the two-prong plug isn’t a standard outside of North America you’d need an adapter; still, it could be a handy way to double the use from a single travel adapter. The FlipIt! USB charger is available now, priced at $15.99.
Next time somebody asks you if they can recharge their smartphone from your laptop’s USB port, you might be opening yourself up to a potential malware attack. Professor and student team Angelos Stavrou and Zhaohui Wang from George Mason University have figured out a system whereby a compromised Android smartphone mounts as a standard HID (human input device) when plugged into a Windows, OS X or Linux computer, potentially giving keyboard and mouse access to malware or even a remote hacker.
Because the new device installation happens automatically – and with little in the way of notifications or ways to prevent it from taking place – users might not spot that the phone is loading as more than just a mass-storage device. Although the proof of concept was done with a modified Android kernel, it could just as easily be modified to run on iOS devices like the iPhone 4.
“Say your computer at home is compromised and you compromise your Android phone by connecting them. Then, whenever you connect the smartphone to another laptop or computing device I can take over that computer also, and then compromise other computers off that Android. It’s a viral type of compromise using the USB cable” Angelos Stavrou
Device contamination could come from a downloaded app or browser exploit, or it could be spread by plugging a clean device into an infected computer; Stavrou says it will also work with direct USB connections between smartphones. Meanwhile antivirus software wouldn’t necessarily spot the malware in action, because it would appear to be normal keyboard/mouse activity. The duo presented their research this week at the Black Hat DC conference.
