Drobo - your friendly data storage Robot

Drobo 4-bay 2nd generation

Have you been looking for an easy to use redundant and secure storage solution for your home or small office? Hold on to your butts because we have just what you have been looking for. Introducing Drobo - your personal friendly data storage robot. Designed and built by Data Robotics in Santa Clara, California... Let's cut to the chase. There aren't enough good things we can say about Drobo but when asked to describe it these are the words that come to mind:

- user friendly & easy to use
- redundant & secure storage
- expandable capacity
- mix and match drives
- file & operating system agnostic
- no software or drivers needed

Drobo S 5-bay 2nd generation

Just to give you an idea of how easy it is to use Drobo... First, insert two or more drives of any capacity and speed into any of the bays in your Drobo. It takes two drives to protect your data from a drive failure. Plug-in your Drobo into any computer and the rest is just like using any other external hard drive or flash storage device. Drobo takes care of the rest and automatically protects all your data from drive failure. When you are ready to add more storage to your storage array just insert a new drive or replace an existing drive with a larger capacity one and enjoy the rest of your day because your work is done. Since the drives are hot-swappable you can add or remove a drive on-the-fly at any time. It's that easy!

Of course there are many different Drobo models offered these days(originally there was just one) including an entire line of Enterprise grade units but the following are best suited for home and small offices:

Drobo for home and small office comparison chart

Feel free to check out the entire Drobo lineup at the official product web site.

Technical specifications:
- 4 bay capacity for Drobo, 5 bay capacity for Drobo S and Drobo FS
- 4 bay unit protects from one failed drive, 5 bay unit protects from up to two failed drives
- utilizes 3.5" SATA I or SATA II hard disk drives
- mix and match drive capacities, disk brands and speeds
- FireWire 800, High Speed USB 2.0 (Drobo, Drobo S)
- eSATA, USB 3.0 (S)
- Seamless Integration with Apple Time Machine (FS)
- 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port (FS)
- supported network data transfer protocols: AFP and CIFS/SMB (FS)
- supports NTFS, HFS+, FAT32, EXT3 file systems
- supports Windows 2003 Server, XP, Vista, 7, Mac OS X 10.4+ operating systems (Drobo)
- supports Windows 2008 Server, 2003 Server, XP, Vista, 7, Mac OS 10.5+, Linux operating systems (S, FS)
- power consumption: idle system = 5 watts, busy system = 40 watts (Drobo)
- power consumption: idle system = 12 watts, busy system = 56 watts (S, FS)
- noise level: normal operation: 20.9 - 24.2 dB (Drobo)
- noise level: normal operation: 31.8 dB (S, FS)

Features at a glance:

AirLink AWLL5088 Wireless N 150 Ultra Mini USB Adapter

AirLink AWLL5088 Wireless N 150 Ultra Mini USB Adapter

This is perhaps the smallest draft-N USB wireless adapter in existence. Perfect for a laptop or a desktop still using older 802.11b/g wireless technology. Super compact design means it won't protrude much from the USB port and can be left permanently plugged into a laptop. Visit AirLink web site for other network products.

- 802.11n
- Power saving technology
- WPA/WPA2 and WEP 64/128-bit wireless security
- Ultra compact design
- Backwards compatible with 802.11b/g/n network devices
- RoHS compliant
- 2.4GHz frequency
- USB 2.0 interface
- Supports data rates up to 150Mbps
- Built-in chip antenna
- Dimensions: 34 x 14 x 6mm (L x W x H)
- Link/Power LEDs
- 1-year warranty
- Works with Windows and Mac

Standardized phone chargers are just around the corner

That's right folks you've heard it right - phone chargers as we know them will soon adopt a common standard. Talked about for years the European Commission is finally working out a common standard for phone chargers and amazingly enough ten major phone makers agreed to embrace the new standard. Among those enlightened companies are Apple, Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG, NEC, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung and Texas Instruments.

The new universal charger will be based on a micro-USB connector already common on many phones these days. The rollout plan initially calls for new phones shipping with new chargers included and gradually phasing the chargers out at which point phones will ship without them.

micro USB

This move will make end consumers happy while keeping landfills free of the ugly entanglement of wires. Phone makers will benefit from cost savings associated with manufacturing and shipping of chargers. This looks to be a win-win situation for all including the environment.

No longer would you have to roam the hall ways looking for someone with a similar phone to borrow a charger from.

Makers of other gadgets and electronic devices should really take heed and start thinking towards standardizing their plugs.

Apple AirPort Express simple draft-n wireless solution

Apple AirPort Express

If you are like me and have been looking for a fast yet simple wireless solution for your home take a look at the AirPort Express from Apple. It is small and compact and has no power cords - just plug it into electrical outlet and it comes to life. AirPort Express supports the latest n-draft wireless for fast transfers and is also backwards compatible with a/b/g. And of course Apple makes the setup easy.

Specifications at a glance:
- 802.11a/b/g/n wireless
- NAT firewall, DHCP, PPPoE, VPN Passthrough (IPSec, PPTP, and L2TP), DNS Proxy, SNMP, IPv6
- MAC address filtering
- 3.7 inches (94.01 mm) x 2.95 inches (75.00 mm) x 1.12 inches (28.5 mm)
- Weights 7.4 ounces (210 grams)
- WPA/WPA2 and WEP wireless security with 128-bit encryption
- One 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port for connecting a modem or Ethernet network
- USB port for a USB printer
- 3.5-mm audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound
- Power supply is built-in so no power cord
- 2.4GHz or 5GHz bandwidth
- Time-based access control
full specs


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Ultra slim Samsung 9 Series laptop takes on MacBook Air

Samsung 9 Series laptop

Newly announced Samsung 9 Series laptop is putting some serious pressure on Apple's MacBook Air. It is a tad bit lighter and thinner and looks like Air's evil twin brother. This new 9 Series packs a 1.4GHz second generation Sandy Bridge Core i5 processor, with Intel's much-improved integrated graphics, and a respectful 6.5 hours of battery life. This awesome laptop comes with 4GB of RAM, 128GB Solid State Drive and a 1.5 watt subwoofer. Other features include USB 3.0 and a 4G WiMax. Available this February it will set you back $1600. A more beefed up version will also be available featuring Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.  Great things come in small packages. Watch out Apple.

Specifications at a glance:
· CPU: Second Generation Intel® Core i5 Processor 2537M (1.40 GHz, 3MB; turbo up to 2.3 GHz)
· Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium/Professional (64 bit)
· Memory: 4GB DDR3
· Storage: 128GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
· Screen: 13.3-inch HD LED-backlit SuperBright Plus display (400 nit)
· Resolution: 1366x768
· Graphics: Intel HD GT2 Integrated Graphics
· Speakers: 3 watt (1.5W x 2) stereo speakers and 1.5 watt sub-woofer
· Battery: Lithium Polymer; up to 6.5 hours
· Wireless: 802.11b/g/n; WiMaxi
· Weight: 2.89 lbs

2011 CES gadget highlights: tablets tablets and more tablets

If 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is any indication I would say this year is going to be the year of the tablets. If there is one thing that is good about the tablets war it is the fact that in the end the consumers will ultimately profit from it. This competition between manufacturers should bring out better and more innovative tablets as well as lower their prices. In the end, we consumers win. In the meantime check out the plethora of tablets heading your way:

Asus Eee Pad Slider

BlackBerry PlayBook

Dell Streak 7

Motorola Xoom

NEC double-screen Android tablet

Fujitsu Oak Trail Windows 7 tablet

Lenovo LePad

2011 CES gadget highlights: Tablets

NEC double-screen Android tablet

NEC double-screen android tablet - android cloud communicator LT-W

NEC has showcased a double-screen book-like tablet running Android that would make a perfect e-reader. Here are some of the features of the NEC's new hinged tabled:
- dual 7-inch 800x600 pixel LCD touchscreens
- runs Android 2.1
- 1GHz mobile processor
- rear 3 megapixel camera
- video recording
- two USB ports
- wifi and bluetooth


Fujitsu Oak Trail Windows 7 tablet

Fujitsu Oak Trail Windows 7 Tablet

Fujitsu announced a new 10.1-inch slate tablet running windows 7 and powered by Intel built Oak Trail Atom Z670 processor which optimizes performance and battery use. Fujitsu developed their own graphical user interface that promotes ease of use. This tablet packs front and rear cameras, 2GB of RAM and a removable battery. An Android version of the tablet is slated for a future release.


Lenovo LePad - windows 7/android and tablet/laptop hybrid

Lenovo LePad a Windows 7/Android and tablet/laptop hybrid

Lenovo LePad is truly hybrid in both software and hardware. When used as a tablet it runs on Android but when attached to the hybrid dock it works like a regular laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium edition. Here are some of LePad's hardware features at a glance:
- 10.1-inch screen
- front and rear cameras
- headphone jack
- mini-USB port

Lenovo LePad with optional detachable keyboard

2011 CES gadget highlights: Blu-ray players

Samsung BD-D7000

Samsung BD-D7000
This tiny slot-loading Blu-ray disc drive from Samsung comes packed with features like faster disc load times, built-in Wi-Fi, and some 2D-to-3D up-conversion as well as support to popular streaming services: Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Pandora, Blockbuster, and Twitter.

Panasonic DMP-BDT310

Panasonic DMP-BDT310
While this Panasonic Blu-ray player may look somewhat ordinary do not let the looks fool you.  DMP-BDT310 can make Skype video calls, has built-in Wi-Fi and provides user with control over some 3D effects like picture depth.  You can also control it with your iPhone.

Motorola SB6120 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 eXtreme Broadband Cable Modem

Motorola SB6120 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 eXtreme Broadband Cable Modem

If you are looking for a new broadband cable modem - look no further! This slick Motorola modem packs a punch into a small form factor. It is using the latest Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification - DOCSIS 3.0 standard which supports channel bonding. Channel bonding enables multiple downstream and upstream channels to be utilized at the same time by the same subscriber. Thanks to channel bonding users get to enjoy blistering fast download and upload speeds - up to 160 Mbps down, and up to 120 Mbps up.

Features:
- 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Port offers incredible wired speeds
- DOCSIS 3.0 Certified
- Up to 160 Mbps downstream, and up to 120 Mbps upstream
- Intuitive and easy to understand front panel with status LEDs
- Works with Windows®, Macintosh®, and UNIX®
- Slim design saves precious space

2nd generation Apple iPad 2 rumors

iPad 2 rumors started spreading almost as soon as the first iPad hit the store shelves. Some seem preposterous while others appear to be more likely to wind up in the next gen iPad.

Here are some of the rumored features we think are more likely to appear on the 2nd gen iPad:

- same 9.7 inch display size
- slightly slimmer screen bezel (3mm)
- flat back covering instead of a slightly rounded as on the 1st gen
- front and rear facing dual cameras for Face Time video chat
- a bit slimmer case than the original
- new super high-resolution display technology (alike iPhone 4's Retina Display)
- built-in dedicated SD slot
- multi-axis gyroscope
- a dual Qualcomm GSM/CDMA chipset (enabling data support for other carriers like Verizon)
- a larger, wide-ranged speaker protected by metal mesh
- 3 different versions of iPad that support Wi-Fi, UMTS and CDMA
- new faster A5 processor (similar to ARM Cortex A9 - 1GHz dual-core processor)
- more memory (at least 512MB)
- will likely release in Spring 2011 (around April)

iPad 2 - cases

iPad 2 - larger, wide-range speaker covered with metal mesh

Netflix streaming comes to new tiny Apple TV

Apple TV

The new Apple TV introduced in 2010 like so many great things comes in a small yet potent package. This latest revision measures only 3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9 inches and weights in at 0.6 pounds. Unlike the older Apple TV this new unit supports Netflix streaming so if you are in a market for a Netflix streaming device there is now yet another alternative to a Roku player.

Features at a glance:
- HDMI out (720p HD)
- Optical audio
- Netflix and YouTube streaming
- Stream music and photos from iTunes on your computer
- 802.11n Wi-Fi (a/b/g compatible, 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
- 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
- Aluminum Apple Remote

Apple In-Ear Headphones

Apple In-Ear Headphones with mic and remote

Apple's in-ear headphones offer impressive sound and good noise isolation. Each earpiece packs two dedicated drivers: woofer and tweeter, which deliver crispy clear sound with plenty of bass. Thanks to the included soft silicon tips that come in three different sizes most of the outside noise is easily minimized. Convenient control capsule located on the cable includes a microphone and three buttons which enable one to answers calls, control music and video playback and adjust volume. A cool looking carrying case is thoughtfully supplied for convenience.

Specifications:
- Frequency response: 5Hz to 21kHz
- Impedance (at 100Hz): 23 ohms
- Sensitivity (at 100Hz): 109 dB SPL/mW
- Drivers: Custom two-way balanced armature (woofer and tweeter in each earpiece)
- Cable length: 1065 mm from audio jack to splitter; 330 mm to earpiece
- Weight: 0.4 ounce (10.2 grams)
- Four-conductor 3.5-mm audio jack

Frequency Response

iStubz & Shortz - iPhone and iPod miniature cables

iStubz - only 3 inches long

Stubby and short these teeny tiny minimalist iP[od|hone] cables take cable management to extreme. Borderline unuseful but sometimes exactly what you need they occupy a rather narrow niche. In my case one such use is in my car where an iPod happens to be right next to the USB plug and an extra-short purpose built cable seems very appropriate.

iStubz - keeps your desk clutter free

Tiny USB Car Power Adapters

Do you need to charge your phone or another USB powered device in your vehicle while on the go? Are you tired of those ugly unnecessarily oversized and protruding car power adapters? If you answered YES to any of the above you will be pleasantly surprised by these tiny modern usb car adapters.

The tiny shiny metal adapter on the left side is from ThinkGeek and sells for $7.99 on ThinkGeek.com. The LED power indicator glows red when plugged in and matches nicely with the red interior lights of my car. The metal body of this USB adapter feels refined and sturdy unlike the plastic ones which can at times feel cheap. It's slim profile and good looks make it suitable to be always plugged in. -Tiny USB power adapter for your automobile -Fits snugly in a cigarette lighter socket -Charge your phone or other USB devices in your vehicle -Super-low profile: sits nearly flush with the dashboard -Red LED power indicator -Input: 12V - 24V -Output: 5V -Dimensions: 1.75" or 4.4cm

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Roku XDS Netflix Streaming Player 1080p

Roku makes a great little player for Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand that would make a great addition to any entertainment system. If you have not tried Netflix yet I can honestly say that you are missing out. The setup is a breeze and the commercial free selection of streaming items is constantly growing. In addition to unlimited streaming you get DVDs and Blu-rays delivered to your home. This beats any commercial TV in my books.



Roku XD|S Streaming Player Specifications:

Networking
802.11n Wi-Fi (b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA and WPA2 support
Dual-band 802.11n (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz)
10/100 Base-T Ethernet
Video Outputs
Composite video (480i)
Component video (720p/480p). Requires Roku XDS component cable (sold separately)
HDMI (1080p/720p/480p)
Video Modes
1080p High Definition (HD)
720p High Definition (HD)
16:9 anamorphic / 4:3 standard
Audio Output
Analog stereo (left/right RCA)
Optical digital audio (5.1 surround sound pass-through and stereo)
Digital over HDMI (5.1 surround sound pass-through)
Remote Control
Roku enhanced remote (with Instant Replay, Back and Options buttons)
Compatible with various universal remotes
Power Input
External AC adapter (5V, 2.5A)
Other Ports
USB 2.0 port (enabled via free software upgrade expected Dec 2010). Video support: MP4, M4V (H.264). Audio support: MP3, AAC, M4A. Image support: JPG, PNG
Power Consumption
6 watts peak, 4 watts in standby
Size
4.9 x 4.9 x 1.2 inches (125 x 125 x 30 mm)
Weight
7.2 oz (203 grams)