Today LaCie announces the smallest SSD USB 3.0 drive, delivering speeds up to 260MB/s – LaCie FastKey. Small enough to hide in the palm of your hand, LaCie’s FastKey can transfer 1000 mp3 or five DIVX files in less than 60 seconds.
100 Times Faster than USB 2.0
While the FastKey can perform up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0, its peak performance goes far beyond that. Combining the performance of SSD, USB 3.0 and DRAM cache technology, the FastKey can write small files up to 100 times faster than your average USB 2.0 hard drive.
“With most flash drives, transferring a large number of photos and mp3 files can take a few minutes,” said Luc Pierart, Business Unit Manager, Personal Storage, LaCie. “With the Fastkey, transferring small files is immediate. You can back up or share your music and photo libraries as you head out the door.”
Compact Metal Design
Combining the highly robust solid-state flash technology, with sturdy aluminum casing, the FastKey ensures your data is as safe as it is mobile. But don’t mistake its high capacity for a 2.5” mobile SSD. The LaCie FastKey packs 120GB into a sleek flash drive (measuring just 26cm3) with no wasted space. And with the included strap, users can secure the FastKey to a keychain or bag for additional on-the-go convenience.
Full Data Protection
The LaCie FastKey not only protects data from the outside, it includes software AES 256-bit encryption – so your data is secure no matter how it’s used. Simply choose the amount of capacity you want to encrypt, and access it with a custom password. Now you can pass the FastKey to colleagues and friends and know your personal files are secure. If privacy is a priority, you can encrypt the full capacity.
For even more storage and sharing options, the LaCie FastKey also comes with 4GB of secure online storage from Wuala.
Availability
The LaCie FastKey is available in 30GB, 60GB and 120GB capacities through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, and LaCie Reseller+ starting at $149.99. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com.
Today LaCie spawns a new breed of USB key – the LaCie MosKeyto, an ultra-small flash drive that’s anything but pesky. Joining LaCie’s line-up of award-winning USB keys, MosKeyto ups the ante for power, portability and ease of use.
LaCie MosKeyto measures less than 20mm and weighs 10 grams, making it one of the smallest USB keys on the market. Offering capacities up to 16GB, you’ll be pleasantly amazed at how many bytes you can get from such a tiny MosKeyto.
The stealthy MosKeyto becomes nearly invisible when plugged into your computer, and can even travel with the computer in a protective sleeve or briefcase – just plug it, and forget it. Because it lies flush against your device, there is no risk of damage to the port, computer or key if the drive is knocked or bumped. Additionally, if it’s in your laptop, you won’t lose it.
Outfitted in sleek black plastic, the MosKeyto is also equipped with a durable nylon strap to attach to an accessible key ring and a cap to protect its USB connector – so you will never have to worry that its tiny form factor will disappear in the depths of your backpack or briefcase.
“While the MosKeyto resembles to a bug, with its small size and big bytes, this USB key is far from annoying,” said Alexis Kobassian, Accessories Product Manager, LaCie. “It provides high capacities in a low-profile connector, allowing you to insert it into your notebook and forget it. And with its low cost/gigabyte price, you can forget about that, too.”
Additionally, LaCie has integrated an extra 4GB secure online storage from Wuala into the MosKeyto, making storage and sharing more convenient than ever.
LaCie Moskeyto offers instant connectivity via USB 2.0 to Windows®, Mac® and Linux platforms.
Availability
The LaCie MosKeyto is available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, LaCie Reseller+ starting at $17.99. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com.
The iPad has opened another door, some say a safety door for a dying media, magazines and newspapers. First to the iPad party was Zinio, a magazine and book eReader (see our review) that has a history of bringing old media to new formats for nearly a decade. We loved Zinio’s iPad app to the point that we recommend getting an iPad because of Zinio. So imagine my surprise when Wired announced it was venturing out on its own with Adobe’s help to self-publish the Rolling Stone for geeks.
I had to figure Wired at least gave Zinio a look over and so I put in an email to Zinio for that answer. CEO Rich Maggiotto took time out of his busy schedule to discuss the Wired absence, but had to use caution in our conversation. I told Maggiotto that I was perplexed by Wired going out on its own. “(It’s) not really surprising,” said Maggiotto on the phone from his San Francisco office. Maggiotto went on to explain that Zinio was aware of Wired‘s venture long before its appearance on Apple’s App Store. He also knew that it had pinned itself in a corner using Adobe’s technology due to Steve Jobs updated rules and regulations for the SDK requiring coding in native languages without any “middle-men” involved. Wired is now faced with a bloated application that will have scalability issues that puts it in a very difficult position. Why? Because instead of grabbing files as the Zinio reader does, Adobe had to “stitch” the magazine together in a Coco application. Wired‘s premiere iPad is nothing more than an, “Interesting sewn together edition,” said Maggiotto, that is, “pretty simplistic.” “Nothing ground breaking,” Maggiotto confidently told me concerning the iPad app. “They (Wired) could have done a lot with us but chose not to.” When I asked Maggiotto if Wired would be coming to Zinio, he replied with confidence, “Anything’s possible.”
Personally, I can not understand why Wired went the direction it did. With Zinio’s proven, rock solid, stable platform, and exhaustive experience in electronic publishing, it really made no sense for Wired to snuggle up with Adobe in light of its tarnished image with all the issues it has with Flash. Maggiotto couldn’t venture to speak for Wired and its decision but feels that in the end, Wired will be coming to Zinio soon enough. The question is, how much self-inflicted pain will Wired endure before that happens?
Jeff Musa, the founder and former CEO of Cutting Edge Software, Inc (now operating as Quickoffice, Inc.), has launched a new company named One Moxie Ventures LLC. The new company is focused on developing quality mobile applications and web services for the education and lifestyle markets.
Mr. Musa’s previous company was a leader in business productivity applications for Palm OS powered mobile devices. The company’s core product platform, Quickoffice, earned numerous awards and served a user base of over 350,000.
One Moxie Ventures released its first iPhone application titled Math Flash Cards, which is available now (iTunes link) from the Apple App Store. The application has already broached the Top-20 list of paid-for educational applications.
The cool factor is Apple’s signature. Math Flash Cards combines rich graphics, a fun-to-use interface, and the educational outcome that parents are craving.
“The iPhone is a natural fit for education titles because kids are drawn to the crisp graphics and rich media on the device,” said Mr. Musa. “The cool factor is Apple’s signature. Math Flash Cards combines rich graphics, a fun-to-use interface, and the educational outcome that parents are craving.”
The company is in the process of developing several additional titles for the iPhone platform to be released throughout 2009.
The Veoh Web Player combined with SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drives provides users with a broad selection of video content on Veoh.com and the power of a peer-to-peer client in a single portable and password-protected application. With the Veoh Web Player’s Library and Import features, users can easily manage their personal video collection, both online and offline. When permitted by the publisher, users can schedule downloads of videos to their library to watch later or at another location. U3™ Smart technology, which was developed by SanDisk, allows applications to run from a SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drive, without having to be installed on a computer.
The Veoh Web Player and SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drive offer enhanced security features as well. Password protection on SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drives prevent unauthorized access to personal video files in case the drive is lost or stolen. And since U3 Smart technology doesn’t require a separate video application to be installed, users can enjoy video content without leaving any traces on the host PC.
“The Veoh Web Player is a perfect companion for SanDisk’s Cruzer USB flash drives because our customers often want to watch videos when they’re away from home and it often isn’t possible to install software on the computer itself,” said Yaniv Lavi, Director of Product Marketing for the consumer retail business unit at SanDisk. “Our SanDisk Cruzer USB Drives are ideal for watching and downloading videos because they come in capacities of up to 16GB1, are technologically capable of streaming high definition content and come equipped with security features that help protect user privacy.”
“SanDisk’s reputation for innovation in flash storage devices and portable applications makes them the ideal distribution partner to make Veoh’s extensive Internet video services more portable for our viewers,” said Joshua Metzger, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Veoh Networks. “SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drives are ideal for video and Veoh.com users. This partnership puts Veoh in their pocket – so videos are ready to enjoy whenever and wherever they plug in.”
Users who previously purchased SanDisk Cruzer® USB flash drives can download the Veoh Web Player onto their drives for free by visiting www.sandisk.com/veoh or by accessing the SanDisk Cruzer Program Wizard of the U3 Launch pad. More information on U3 is available at www.sandisk.com/U3.
Proporta have teamed up with Mixa to offer all Proporta customers the chance to win something rather special. Mixa is a pretty cool website which customises cassette tapes (remember them?) with bespoke designs and then sends them out ready to be recorded (and re-recorded) with all your favourite tunes.
Mixa have been kind enough to give Proporta three gift codes to supply their customers with free mix-tapes, which you will be able to design for yourselves online. All you need to do to be in with the chance of getting your mitts one is confess your deepest darkest secrets to Proporta…
Proporta believe that a problem shared is a problem halved and so are giving you the opportunity to own up and confess to your worst ever music purchase. Repent your sins and clear your conscience, by posting the name and artist of the song you’d rather forget about on their Confession Board. Proporta will then decide whose confession deserves a prize (so don’t be shy).
As not to leave anyone out (or if your secrets are going to remain as such) Mixa have also been kind enough to give Proporta an exclusive online discount which entitles Proporta customers to 15% off Mixa products. To use your discount simply enter ‘ProportaMIXA’ on the Mixa website.
PNY Technologies launch the Vintage Attaché a new look flash drive to add to PNY’s Flash range. The Vintage Attaché is the latest design and takes over from the popular Lady Attaché launched earlier on in the year, targeted at females that wanted stylish storage on the go!
The new limited PNY Vintage Attaché edition has a funky, vibrant and retro feel to the design, and has all of the core functionalities and performance; high speed USB 2.0 connection a read speed of 14Mb/s and a write speed of 6Mb/s. The 8GB Vintage Attaché, translated can store up to 120 hours of music, 4,000 pictures or 48 hours of video, making this an ideal stocking filler for Christmas.
The PNY Vintage Attaché 8GB will be available in stores from late October 2008. For more information please visit www.pny.eu
PNY Technologies and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announce the launch of a new 2GB USB preloaded with Sony Pictures’ 80′s comedy classic, GHOSTBUSTERS starring Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. This marks the first time for the release of a full length movie via a USB flash drive and will enable consumers to watch the film with one simple click on their PC or Laptop. The PNY GHOSTBUSTERS USB will be available from Argos stores nationwide from now, just ahead of the 25th anniversary year of Ghostbusters in 2009.
Stefanie Summerfield – UK & Nordic Sales and Marketing Director for PNY Technologies said “As a market leader in the USB market, PNY’s focus is to offer consumers added value by providing enjoyable blockbuster content on their USB. Standard features of a PNY 2GB USB stick include 12 hours of video play, 33 hours of music and 1080 pictures. This is all in addition to getting a preloaded movie on the USB flash drive.”
Andy Armstrong, UK, Managing Director for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment stated, “Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is delighted to partner with PNY to offer the first full length movie preloaded on a USB flash drive and ready to play on your PC/Laptop. We are committed to giving the consumer more choice in how to experience their movies either at home or on the go.”
The PNY 2 GB USB with Ghostbusters will be available in stores from now. For more information please visit www.pny.eu
Remember the first version of Windows Media Player that came with Windows95? Ya, it was a joke. A big one. When compared to Apple’s QuickTime (QT), Microsoft had a long road of acquisitions ahead of it. Instead of standing still Apple pushed the envelope with QuickTime and added innovating features such as QuickTime VR. QT VR allowed a user to “spin” an object 360 degrees around and look up and down a bit with the movement of their mouse. This was a decade before it showed up in Flash on web sites! As the web became popular, Apple’s attention to it gave programmers interaction (QTi in 1998) with its users.
But Apple’s direction seemed to have made a change by 2002 when it released 6.x. Now supporting the competition through Flash 5 and scriptable ActiveX controls, outside of MPEG-4 support, there was little innovation anymore. Certainly the release of 7.x and H.264 was a great addition; however, by this time, less and less use of QuickTime could be found on the web. Flash was king and QuickTime seemed to no longer sing. While Adobe was thrusting user interaction features to developers in Flash, Apple seemed to slowly add a bread crumb here and a bread crumb there to QuickTime ignoring the flashy San Jose-based company’s web progress.
What used to be considered an excellent medium for multimedia presentation on the web is now not even considered by most web developers today. Apple’s limited supply of user interaction has left it in the cold of consideration and oddly enough, Apple doesn’t even seem to care. Using the same underlying architecture created in 1991, QuickTime is the heart and soul of iTunes and thus seems to be Apple’s only true intention for this multimedia maverick. With all the money Apple paid Apple Records, Ltd. in settlement fees all those years ago, one would think any company with half the brains of Apple would push such a ground breaking application. So why the disinterest? What happened? While Apple announced QuickTime X this week at WWDC 2008, it won’t be out for at least another year in which its market share will have been even more eroded. Even upon release, will it deliver?
SvenOnTech has spoken to and heard many developers complain about QuickTime. The complaints range from how heavy QuickTime is now (does Microsoft make this?) to its near zero user interaction interface. Even though it looks great for movie trailers and other video footage, the latest version of Flash handles this just as well if not better because of all the other goodies that come along with it. QuickTime is just not usable anymore. Sad. Once die-hard fans of the multimedia application are now completely ignoring it, just like Apple.
Apple has always been well known for its commitment to education since its start over thirty years ago. Through that, many other companies have blossomed in the very arena Apple became a staple in. Today, a new company based on the East Coast is jumping into that arena but doing so more in the fashion of a Mötley Crüe concert where former drummer Tommy Lee performs his drum solo hanging over the crowd. Yes, Raybook is coming out in style.
Mark Williams, founder and CEO of Modality (parent of Raybook), sat down with me at Macworld over lunch to tell me a little about Raybook. Through the course of the conversation, I really found myself enjoying our lunch. Mark just seems to have that easy going feeling that rubs off on you like you’ve known him for ever. He told me of the company’s start and how he, as a professor in the medical sciences, found studying anything in the medical field difficult with the study aids available at that time. CD-ROMs and DVDs just weren’t a good stepping stone from the classic index style flash cards. Those flash cards themselves were large and bulky and made studying on the go nearly impossible. There had to be a better way and when he saw the iPod, he knew he had found that way.
He took a complex study, the brain, and made some amazing slides of it and wrapped it up with text book quality teaching to produce one excellent learning tool…all on an iPod. He distributed it to his students and it wasn’t too long before they were thanking him for this superb learning tool. “Students would come up to me and tell me, ‘I learned three new brain terms while standing in line for a latte’”, Mark told me with excitement in his voice. “Now,” he continued, “we have people asking us, ‘What iPod should I get for this?’” For students, Raybook is new jumping stone for an iPod.
After the incredible success of the medical “books”, Mark knew he had to take it further and bring his tool to a broader market. With the recent addition of the Brain Quest series for K-12 learners, Raybook is actively becoming a hallmark for great study. Other material includes my high school favorite, Mr. Notes, a.k.a. Cliffs Notes, Mosby, Netter, Stedman, BRS, as well as illustrated guides for medical students. While the Cliff and Brain Quest will be more familiar to most, the depth of knowledge here is incredible for such a young company. Mark wants to have hundreds of books online for immediate download by years end.
From public schools, to home schools, to colleges, Raybook is going to be boon for any student. With so many iPods lying around ones home now after years of upgrades, that old dusty iPod in your drawer now has a new use! Since each Raybook is pretty darn small, the density size of your iPod won’t even matter. In fact, the iPod nano is one of the supported models for Raybook. (If you’re wondering where the iPhone/iPod touch version is, it is being worked on via Apple’s SDK. Be patient.)
So how does this all work, you ask? Straight from Raybook’s page, “Raybooks combine text, images, and even audio and video, into a single package you can use on your iPod.” The web page goes on to say, “Study medical terminology with visual flash cards and audio pronunciations. Learn valuable skills by reading step-by-step instructions, then watching a video. Read about an out-of-the-way bistro in Paris, then pinpoint it on a map!”
Getting it onto your iPod is as easy as purchasing the book, downloading it, syncing it via the Raybook Manager, and — ta da! — using it. Once on your iPod, now you can study on the train, between classes, and yes, even while in line while waiting for a latte.