The Asus Xonar U3 USB surround sound card with a built-in headphone amplifier is perfect for those who use their notebooks as personal entertainment centers. Weighing at just 25 grams, the device enhances treble and bass while driving high fidelity headphones with impedance up to 150-Ohm. The Xonar U3 adopts the company’s exclusive hyper-grounding technology, which works like a watershed to separate audio signals from noise to provide clean and clear sound. What’s more, the device offers a wide range of Dolby Home Theater Technology such as Dolby Headphone, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Virtual Speaker and Dolby Digital Live. The Xonar U3 is also ideal for gamers, with built-in GX 2.5 Gaming Audio Engine which is compatible with EAX 5.0 audio signals. Installation is easy and with multiple pre-set equalizer settings and modes for gaming, music, movies and headphone use, upgrading notebook sound is quick and simple. No word on pricing at this time. [Softpedia]
If you are searching for a new USB flash drive, then check out the Green House PicoDrive VC. What makes this portable storage device special is that it features a hardware-based automatic encryption (AES 256bit) for data protection and a pre-installed Trend Micro antivirus to keep malware away. Measuring 61mm x 20mm x 5.9mm and weighing 9grams, the Green House PicoDrive VC supports a USB 2.0 interface. The PicoDrive VC starts at $79 for 2GB with 1-year subscription and tops at $265 for 16GB with 3-year subscription. [TCMagazine]
Synnex has started selling its new product in the form of the monoDO USB fan. Measuring 135mm in diameter, the fan features a voice-controlled function, allowing you to turn it On or Off without even touching it. Available in black and white, the Synnex monoDO voice controlled USB fan retails for 2,980 Yen or around $35. Read more
The Continuance is a set of batteries with a USB interface on the side. Designed by Haimo Bao, Hailong Piao, Yuancheng, the battery can be recharged via a USB connection. You can also use this battery to recharge your gadgets via a USB port. In addition, the Continuance battery concept is an iF concept design entry for 2011. [Yanko]
Buffalo Kokuyo will release a new USB Bluetooth 3.0+EDR dongle in Japan. Known as the BSHSBD05BK, the device comes with a maximum effective distance radius of 100 meters with a 0.5mW/MHz output. The Bluetooth 3.0+EDR USB dongle also supports A2DP Bluetooth profile. The company will launch the BSHSBD05BK in April 2011 for 2,509 Yen ($30). [Buffalo]
The Hercules XPS Diamond 2.0 USB speaker kit is designed to look like jewels. The speaker consists of two mini-satellites that feature a black lacquered finish along with a see-through base. Each satellite measures just 3.5-inch in diameter. The kit comes equipped with an exclusive black velvet carrying pouch. The Hercules XPS Diamond 2.0 USB speaker kit will be launched in April 2011 for $39.99. [Hercules]
Art Lebedev is back with a new creation, the Cardboard USB drive concept. This environmental-friendly USB stick can be torn from a strip and then quickly used to transport data safely from one place to another. See more pictures after the jump to get more details. Read more
Kingston today introduced its new secure USB flash drives for business and enterprise use in the form of the DataTraveler 4000 and the DataTraveler Vault – Privacy Managed. The Kingston DT4000 supports FIPS 140-2 Level 2 military-grade encryption for the entire cryptographic module as opposed to just the security processor. The Kingston DataTraveler Vault comes bundled with the SafeConsole server software from BlockMaster to provide password control, device state management, file audit log and file restriction options. The DataTraveler DT4000 will be available in capacities from 2GB to 16GB, while the DataTraveler Vault drive will be available in capacities from 2GB to 32GB. [Kingston]
The Hiddn Crypto USB Adapter is an easy way to encrypt thumb drives, external drives, and other USB-connected storage media. The device offers robust and easy to use protection of all your externally stored data through two-factor authentication in the form of a smartcard storing all encryption keys and a PIN-code. The Hiddn Crypto USB Adapter uses FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and Common Criteria EAL4+ certified Hiddn Crypto Module. No word on pricing or availability at this moment. [Product Page]
Active has launched a fancy USB flash drive, the Active Flip. This USB 2.0 flash drive features a “flip-open” design. Just flip open the front lid and you can instantly access your data. It is designed to fit easily on a keychain or clipped to a backpack. Available in 4GB and 8GB of storage spaces, the Active Flip drive retails for $12 and $20, respectively. Read more
