USB

Authentication errors in OS X may be rooted in peripherals

When you attempt to install a program or perform other administrative tasks in OS X, the system will prompt you for a username and password before continuing. Generally when such prompts show up they will not go away until you press either the OK or the Cancel buttons; however, sometimes errors might occur in which the authentication window might unexpectedly close.

When this happens, upon performing an administrative task the system will display the prompt but immediately close it without letting you supply credentials and authenticate.

Recently MacFixIt reader Scott wrote in about an experience with such a problem when … Read more

Cufflinks with Wi-Fi hot spot turn you into a digital 007

Let's face it. What's the point of wearing any fashion accessory that doesn't help you move your data around? I mean, that would just be a waste.

Fortunately, Brookstone has you covered with this slick pair of Wi-Fi-enabled cufflinks. These silver oval 'links keep your cuffs together without the embarrassment of using some silly analog plastic buttons, and also double as a USB thumbdrive with 2GB of storage and an embedded wireless hot spot. … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 81: We need more power! (Podcast)

Phone manufacturers and the aftermarket wage war against crappy battery life and Google does battle with poor app design on this week's episode of Android Atlas Weekly.

NEWS:

-Woz concedes Android advantages over iPhone

-iPhone 4S helps iOS close the gap on Android

-Google evangelists release bible of good Android design

-The Android sloppy interface when guidelines are not enough

-NSA Releases Secure Android Version

-LOL, Seido 3800mah extended battery for Galaxy Nexus

-Galaxy Nexus nfc feature requires original oem battery… Read more

Disable USB devices on your PC with this compact freeware

Makesoft's USB Manager is a great idea, a utility that prevents various devices from connecting to your computer via USB ports. It doesn't disable the ports but their drivers. Attached devices show up in Devices & Printers but show trouble icons. USB Manager can disable storage devices like thumbdrives and removable disk drives as well as printers, scanners, and audio devices. The program offers optional password protection, a Hide mode, and configurable hot keys. If you have to leave your PC running at home or at work and want to prevent unauthorized access to your printer, scanner, or (… Read more

Create bootable USB drives with WinUSB Maker

Once upon a time, creating a bootable floppy was high on the list of "things to do when installing Windows." Bootable floppies made system recovery much easier. WinUSB Maker creates a bootable startup disk on any removable USB drive or similar location. It does much more, too, such as creating bootable ISO image, GRLDR, and DOS disks as well as full drive backups. And it's extremely easy to use. You'll need your Windows installation disk or an existing setup disk, ISO image, or folder to use the program, and be sure to use a USB drive … Read more

Mimoco uses the Force to make media card readers cool

LAS VEGAS--I am such a sucker for "Star Wars"-related merchandise--well, with the exception of burgers--so it was no surprise that I squealed with delight when I saw Mimoco's new media card readers.

Known for its line of adorable flash drives, Mimoco is branching out with its Mimomicro line of USB drive and media card readers. Announced at CES 2012, the Mimomicro is expected to ship in March and offers a geektastic way for carrying and sharing your files.

The Mimomicro features a slot for your microSD card and a flip-out USB plug (no need … Read more

Blue's USB Tiki mic sports old-school soul styling

LAS VEGAS--USB mics aren't known for being fashion plates. Looks aren't tops on your list when you're Skyping or jockeying a teleconference. Blue Microphones is changing that with the new Tiki mic.

The Tiki portable USB mic has some pleasant specs like CD quality audio, a multicolored LED status indicator, and an extended docking cable. Also, it's less than 3 inches. … Read more

Get a 1.5TB external hard drive for $99.99 shipped

Hard-drive prices, oy.

As you may have heard, flooding in Thailand last year damaged factories involved in hard-drive production, creating shortages and sending drive prices skyrocketing in the last couple months.

Indeed, back in October, today's deal wouldn't have been much of a deal at all. Today, it's downright stellar.

While supplies last, Buy.com has the Fantom GreenDrive 1.5TB external hard drive for $99.99 shipped.

Granted, 2TB drives were routinely selling for $70 to $80 not long ago, but beggars can't be choosers right now. This is one of the best storage deals … Read more

Cobra JoyRide transforms Android phones into driving machines

With the help of Cobra's newest charger, your Android phone can automatically reconfigure for driving when connected to your car.

The Cobra JoyRide is no ordinary car charger. This 12-volt plug utilizes the Android Open Accessory framework to automatically trigger the launch of a companion app on an Android phone when connected via its micro USB port.

The Cobra JoyRide app features a car-specific interface that presents the user with large buttons to trigger functions such as voice command, hands-free calling, or launching a GPS navigation app. The JoyRide app can also automatically trigger the changing of phone settings--for … Read more

Toshiba to debut 64GB USB 3.0 Flash drive at CES

Toshiba will introduce new USB 3.0 flash drives next week at the Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas, as products using the faster USB interface begin to trickle out.

"SuperSpeed" USB 3.0 is about 10 times faster than current USB technology and will become standard in virtually all laptops when Intel's Ivy Bridge silicon begins shipping this spring.

Toshiba says its TransMemory-EX flash drive will deliver speeds up to 22 times faster than previous models. That's read and write speeds of 220 megabytes per second (MB/s) and 94 MB/s, respectively. … Read more