USB anywhere and everywhere

USB - Universal Serial Bus, a connection technology for attaching peripheral devices to a computer, providing fast data exchange. These used to be simple and mostly tied to PCs with limited data storage. Not any more.
USBs are part of many different devices and technologies, though they still serve the same purpose, storing data and connecting peripherals. Most computers come with two or more USB ports. It is very unusual to see anything less. Those are USB connectors, that come in many different types (Types of USB Connectors). These days USB has moved on to many other devices. It is part of new TVs, handheld devices, some phones, tablets, memory storage devices and much more.
USB flash drives are small and portable. They come in many different forms, shapes, sizes, and even colors. One example is the Transcend Jetflash Rugged USB flash drive. It comes in variety of colors, but most importantly it comes within a rubber casing that can survive shocks, splashes, dust, and drops from several feet. Making it a great storage gadget to take on a trip. It is available with 16 GB of memory to store a ton of travel photos, videos, and more.
All the gadgets with the USB connection built-in also need to be charged somewhere if the computer is not immediately available such as during traveling. And that is where devices such as the Traveler3USB, come in. With several USB charging ports, it allows travelers the ability to charge cell phone, MP3 Players and other portable devices easily and quickly. Though if traveling abroad don't forget to also take along a Travel Power Plug Adapter compatible with voltage in country where you are traveling.
A green alternative to charging your devices on the go is the Lenmar Solar Powerport USB battery charger. As the name implies this portable charger can power any USB-compatible cell phone or media player from a 3-hour solar charge. Hopefully your travels will take you to places with at least that much of sunshine available to keep your gadgets juiced and ready for use.
For more demanding gadgets such as tablets and netbooks, there is high-powered though still compact travel charger and battery back up. XeMilo from Revolve (revolveusa.com/index.php?p=1_55_xeMilo) has a 4,400 mAh built-in battery that can be powered from outlets or from the sun. Making it a powerful yet eco-friendly travel gadget.
Another type of device utilizing USB storage is a voice recorder flash drive. One example is the Sony ICD-UX71 Digital Voice Recorder. This gadgets are small, easy to use since they come with simple functions. No software to install. No cables or batteries to worry about. Depending of amount of storage, can capture audio up to 40 hours. It also can be used to store MP3s and other media. Great to have on a business trip or an exploration.

Update 07/08/11: Today stumbled across a new cool USB gadget, Ice Cube-inspired Topaz Desk USB Lamp. Check out more info about it here.

USB Battery Charger - charge two AA Batteries in four to six hours while on a computer or plugged into wall outlet adapter. Just plug the power station into any USB Port and the LED light will blink while the batteries are charging and turn off when they are fully charged. The USB Battery Charger has a safety circuit that prevents overcharging.

Some interesting USB flash drive designs:

The secret is out ... Comfortable in-flight Travel supplies

While flying to the business meeting that I mentioned in the previous post, I got reaffirmation just how uncomfy airplanes can be. It is especially more so these days with a lot less extras available on planes. There were no blankets on the seats, no giving out of headphones to listen to music and or videos. We did get a tiny bag of peanuts and pretzels.
Awhile back I came across Magellan's site that has a large variety of travel supplies. It has clothing, accessories, gadgets, trial-size items, guides, and much more. The latest portion of the site that I found is the Get Comfortable En Route collection. It is an awesome gathering of things that would make a flight a lot more comfortable, clean, dry, and relaxing. As part of its listings this collection, of course, also has headphones. I have mentioned noise-canceling headphones in several of my entries (10 Travel Gadgets for the warm weather travel, Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?, How Do Noise Reducing Headphones Work?) and just how much of a benefit they are for a relaxing and more enjoyable flight.
Travel Pillow is a great idea to have along to not strain your neck or end up on someone's shoulder while relaxing or taking a nap. I have one and usually take it with me for a long flight, though I did forget it for this one.
On the flight back home, the plane did not even have a built in video player in the back of the seat. So it was up to you to entertain yourself and hopefully you have some airplane travel gadgets. I had a laptop with me that provided something to do and get good use out of the time, however it did not last long as the battery was drained. So having a portable multimedia player is also a great idea to have. And once I upgrade my phone from a media phone to a smart phone when I am up for a renewal, I will have multimedia player with me anywhere I go. Can't wait. Though for now, it was a good book and some Sudoku puzzles the rest of the flight

Other great collections:
Ease Airport Security Checks
Getaway Essentials
Packing For Carry On

Make boring business trip and meeting more exciting

This week I was on a business trip for a great big small company sales conference.

While out and about one of the sales reps pleasantly surprised everyone when she turned on some music. It was surprising since the music was loud and for the most part clear, yet it was not coming from a boombox. It was from an iPhone that was connected, at least at that time, to a set of small rectangular speakers. Quite a few people were interested to find out what kind of speakers those are and how come she had them with her on a business trip. Her answer was very interesting and both cool regarding the gadget and insightful regarding its application.
The speakers that she had along were Jawbone JAMBOX. The 12-ounce box can produce extreme high and low frequencies from a small dome speaker. The Jambox promises up to 10 hours of continuous play. She brings this little gadget, which is about 6x2x2 inches, to meetings with clients. That is such a great idea. What is a better way to lighten up a mood of another business meeting and break the ice than with some good music. Music revitalizes, divert, and entertains. The client coming into the room with one expectation, but a greeted with a much better one.
This speakers can be connected either through Bluetooth or wires. Since the sales person already has her iPhone with her at all times, her music is also there waiting to be released. It makes a great accessory for a trip to lighten the mood and share the tunes.

Comment below and let us know if you use any gadgets to entertain the clients or yourself that might be a bit of a different tune

Why good to have on a trip:
- compact size
- great sound
- easy connectivity, can be used with no wires
- music lightens the mood and great to share

Did You Know?:
Music has the ability to strengthen or weaken emotions. It can calm, inspire or energize you. It transcends language, culture, gender and age. Music affects us whether we know it or not. Music can help you concentrate or distract.

New gadget by US Government and what you need to know about it

In the last couple of years, State Department has started issuing E-Passports. Anyone applying or renewing their passport will now receive these technologically enhanced travel document.
E-passport has a RFID chip on its front, you can see the comparison pictures below of previous version of the passport and new. It also has more colorful pages inside.
I got one of those when I renewed my passport. It was brand spanking new with hard cover pretty pictures inside, though not of me, and the extra technology. It a cool feature that allows for easy and faster access to information and getting through passport check. However, with new technology there is also concern of digital information being a target for not so scrupulous folks. Here are some details of that the new features are and how the work for the new passports

What is an Electronic Passport?
An Electronic Passport is the same as a traditional passport with the addition of a small integrated circuit (or “chip”) embedded in the back cover. The chip stores:
- The same data visually displayed on the data page of the passport;
- A biometric identifier in the form of a digital image of the passport photograph, which will facilitate the use of face recognition technology at ports-of-entry;
- The unique chip identification number; and
- A digital signature to protect the stored data from alteration.

The special features of an Electronic Passport are:
- Securely stored biographical information and digital image that are identical to the information that is visually displayed in the passport;
- Contactless chip technology that allows the information stored in an Electronic Passport to be read by special chip readers at a close distance; and
- Digital signature technology that is used to verify the authenticity of the data stored on the chip. This technology is commonly used in credit cards and other secure documents using integrated circuits or chips.

How does the ePassport work?
The chip in the ePassport is a proximity contactless chip that must be held within ten centimetres of a reader in order to be read. Moreover, the data on the chip cannot be accessed unless the machine-readable zone on page 2 has first been read, which means that the passport book must be open. It is therefore extremely unlikely that the data stored on the chip could be read without the knowledge of the passport holder.

Border authorities equipped with ePassport readers will insert the traveller's ePassport into a scanner, which will read the machine-readable zone, thereby opening the chip so that it can be read as well. The machine also checks other security features, such as the country's signature. Border authorities who are not equipped with ePassport readers will continue to examine travellers' passports as they do now.

Will the ePassport contain any kind of tracking device?
No. The chip in the ePassport is passive, which means that it does not have a power source. It cannot transmit signals over long distances. An ePassport reader must be held within 10 centimetres of an open passport book before it can capture the information on the chip. The ONLY information that is on the chip is the information from page 2 of the passport. The chip does not transmit or record any other information.

Why good to have on a trip:
- Automated identity verification;
- Faster immigration inspections; and
- Greater border protection and security

Did You Know?:

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