Technabob » adapter

JTT Adapter for iOS Devices Adds the Ports that Apple Won’t

Lambert Varias — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:00:23 +0000

Japanese manufacturer JTT has released an adapter that adds a variety of connectivity options to your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It has both an HDMI out and analog AV out, a USB port and a mini-USB port that you can use to charge your iOS device. Unfortunately they forgot to give it a memorable name, so I’ll just stick to its product code, IPHDAVAD.

The IPHDAVAD essentially combines Apple’s Camera Connection Kit and digital AV out, except it doesn’t have an SD slot and has an analog AV out, cables included. Speaking of cables, the adapter also comes with a mini-USB-to-USB cable, so you can charge and sync your iOS device while you’re playing video or transferring media.

The IPHDAVAD seems to be limited to Japan as of now; JTT is selling it on their website (JP) for ¥4930 (~$63 USD). That’s not a bad price considering its features. Hopefully it’ll be available internationally, and with a better name.

[via Akihabara News]

dualCharge & dualCarCharge: Two Ports, One Plug

Lambert Varias — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:17:14 +0000

It’s great that more and more gadgets are compatible with USB chargers, but if you don’t have enough ports or outlets you’ll still be stuck with a dead device. Fortunately CableJive, the same company that makes the convenient duaLink USB sync cable, has a solution: the dualCharge and dualCarCharge chargers.

As their names imply, the dualCharge is a wall charger with two USB ports, while the dualCarCharge is a car lighter plug that also has two USB ports, so you can charge two devices at once.

Of course you’ll still have to have two USB cables to charge your gadgets, but if you find yourself frequently in need of recharging multiple devices then these may do the trick for you. You can order the dualCharge and the dualCarCharge from CableJive; they each cost $15 (USD).

[via Lifehacker]

AC Adapter Hidden Camera: Plug and Play

Lambert Varias — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:07:02 +0000

If you’re looking for a hidden camera that would blend in your office or appliance-packed house, this just might be the thing you need. Just plug it in and it’ll start recording as soon as it detects motion. It records 720 x 480 video at 30fps and backs it up to a microSD card.

You do have to plug it in to an actual, working AC outlet because that’s where the camera gets its power. If the microSD card runs out of space, the camera will write over the oldest footage, so it’s practically maintenance free.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can order the AC Adapter Hidden Camera from Brickhouse Security for $295 (USD); it comes with a 4GB microSD card, although the camera itself supports cards up to 32GB. If you want to have the option to record video 24/7 or have timestamps on your recordings, you’ll have to shell out $100 more for the Pro version. For those prices you’d better have some conveniently located AC outlets, otherwise all you’ll get are videos of legs and feet.

[via The Gadgeteer]

Dual SIM Battery Pack for iPhone 4 Lets You Make Calls on Two Networks at Once

Lambert Varias — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:13:34 +0000

Last year we featured a case for the iPhone 4 that lets you switch between two SIM cards. That case has now been upgraded – now you can use two SIMs at once, no need to switch, plus you get an 800 mAh extra battery. The case has one slot each for a Micro SIM and a Mini SIM.

Even though the case enables two SIM cards to be simultaneously online, you’ll still have to pick one to use as a master SIM, which will have access to all features of your network provider and the iPhone 4, including web surfing via 3G. The non-master SIM will only be able to send and receive calls and SMS messages, nothing more. Not even a phonebook of its own. Here’s a demo of the case receiving calls on two different numbers:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

USB Fever sells the Dual Standby/Dual SIM with Power Pack case for the iPhone 4 for $250 (USD), although it’s out of stock as of this writing. Also for that price you might as well get a second phone if you don’t mind carrying an extra gadget.

[via Gear Diary]

Dongle Adds HDMI to iPhone and iPad

Chris B. — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:08:29 +0000

HDMI output for the iPhone? Surely not! You’d think that something as basic as an HDMI output wouldn’t be a big deal for a gadget like the iPhone. I mean, in this world of HDTVs, many devices ship with such a port standard. Heck, the iPhone 4 even shoots in 720p, so why not push that out to your TV with a simple HDMI cable? Well thanks to Sanwa, you can.

This iPhone HDMI Adapter from Sanwa looks much like the SD card reader that Apple offers. There’s not a lot to look at here, as it simply plugs into your 30-pin connector, and offers up a regular HDMI port. It will give you 720p output, and only works with the current iPhone 4 and iPad. The best part? It will set you back $72 (USD). At that price, you almost expect it to be an officially-licensed Apple product.

[via Akihabara News]

Mad Catz Rock Band 3 Midi Pro Lets Real Musicians Save Money

Lambert Varias — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 12:52:12 +0000

…or at least those who own a MIDI-capable set of drums or keyboard. In case you didn’t know, Rock Band’s gaming peripherals can be crazy expensive. Drum sets can reach as high as $300, and the new money-grabber, the keyboards, can go for as much as $190. But if you already have a MIDI-capable drum kit or keyboard, you can now enjoy Rock Band without springing for a video game version of your instrument, thanks to Mad Catz and their new Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro adapter.

Just plug in your instrument via the built-in USB cable, and the game will recognize it as a Pro instrument. The best part? The adapter sells for just about $40 (USD). As of this writing only the PS3 version is available at Amazon, but the Xbox 360 and Wii versions are incoming.

[via GameFront via OhGizmo!]

Trendnet Wireless n Adapter is Smaller Than a T-Rex’S Brain

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:57:54 +0000

For years, we had to put up with network adapters for computers that were huge. You know the ones I mean, big fat adapters that were three inches long and blocked USB ports around them. We had the same problem with wireless adapters for keyboards and mice too until Logitech and others started making them tiny.

Trendnet is finally fixing the issue of gigantic wireless adapters with a tiny little adapter that looks a lot like the Logitech line of Unifying Receivers for wireless keyboards and mice. The tiny little Trendnet TEW-648UBM is hailed as the world’s smallest 802.11n adapter and it supports speeds up to 150Mbps.

The tiny adapter measures 0.59″ x 0.74″ x 0.28″ and only sticks out of the USB port 0.3″ when installed. That means the thing is small enough that you can plug it in and just leave it. The adapter has a list price of $39.99 (USD), but they’re selling right now for just $15.99 over at the TrendNet online shop if you get over there quick.

Dual Sim Case for iPhone 4 Lets You Switch Networks on the Fly

Technabob — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:10:25 +0000

Say you’re sick of AT&T. Assuming you’ve jailbroken your iPhone 4, you can now bounce between two cell networks of your choice courtesy of this unusual case.

The iPhone 4 Dual SIM Adapter case comes with a ribbon cable that pops into your iPhone’s SIM slot, splitting it into two card slots. Then, snap the clear case around your phone to keep the SIM cards neat and tidy. According to the instructions, you just need to go into the phone settings and choose the SIM of your choice and wait 1 to 2 minutes for the network to connect. That’s it.

You can get your hands on the iPhone 4 Dual SIM Adapter case over at USBfever for $28.99 (USD).

[via Engadget]

Ixp1-500 USB iPad Adapter: Cashing in on Apple’s USB Stupidity

Lambert Varias — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:56:46 +0000

The iPad can be charged via USB using the proprietary charge/sync cable. But on older Macs, and worse, in some modern PCs, sometimes the darned thing won’t charge. It seems that the problem is that the iPad doesn’t get enough power from the USB ports of slightly older machines. By slightly older I mean even computers sold in 2009 – check the comments on this Cult of Mac article. In these USB ports the iPad will only charge if it’s turned off, but some users have also noticed that if they used an iPhone cable to charge the iPad, the iPad gets juiced even when it’s on. So is it the cable or the port? XMultiple says it’s the cable, and that they have the fix.

That’s the iXP1-500 iPad adapter, and it’s only purpose is to ensure that an iPad can be charged on any USB 2.0 port. If this thing works as advertised, that means the iPad’s cable is borked. And if Apple can afford to give away free bumpers for the iPhone 4′s uncommon antenna problem, then Apple should also give this adapter to all iPad owners. Until then, you’ll have to buy it from XMultiple for $5 (USD).

[via gizmag]

Wii2hdmi Adds Hdmi Output to Wii, Still Not HD

Technabob — Thu, 27 May 2010 03:31:34 +0000

If you’ve got a Wii and an HDTV, you might want to check out Neoya’s Wii2HDMI, a handy adapter which converts your Wii’s output to HDMI.

Unfortunately, the Wii still only can handle 480i, 480p (NTSC) and 576i (PAL) resolutions, so you won’t all of a sudden have high-def graphics with this thing. That said, if your display or receiver has more available HDMI inputs than component ones, this might be worth a look.

You can grab the Wii2HDMI over at Neoya’s shop for $39.95 (USD).

[via Chip Chick via SlipperyBrick]

Xcm Vbox2 Advanced Adapter Lets You Play Console Games on Your Pc Screen

Technabob — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:10 +0000

Let’s say you’ve got an video game console sitting in your room, and already have a computer with its own monitor. Unless you’re fortunate enough to have a computer display with auxiliary video inputs, you’d need a second display for your console. If you happen to have a laptop or netbook, you’d be SOL… until now, that is.

The ever-industrious console hacking gods at XCM have come up with this new gadget which lets you take any console with a component video output and connect it to your PC via the computer’s USB port. The Vbox2 Advanced can handle signals from the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PS3, PS2, Xbox, GameCube or even the PSP 2000/3000 series. As an added bonus, the box lets you actually capture video or screenshots from your games.

Since the device supports USB 2.0 “plug-and-play”, you don’t even need to do any configuration to get it up and running. While the Vbox2 does support Windows 7, Vista and XP, it doesn’t work with Mac OS or Linux. Oh well, there’s always something.

At this point, XCM hasn’t announced pricing or a release date, but you can probably pre-order one over at Extreme Mods or TotalConsole or ConsoleSource.

Cassette Tape Mp3 Player: Why Didn’t I Think of That?

Technabob — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:45:29 +0000

Plenty of companies have made cassette tape adapters for connecting MP3 players to your car stereo, but this one wins the award for ingenuity. Not only does this gadget let you play your digital tracks through your old school tape player, the cassette IS the MP3 player.

Chinavasion’s MP3 Cassette Player is a completely self-contained media player that just happens to slip inside your tape deck for easy playback through your car stereo. It’s not the world’s most feature-packed player, handling only MP3 format files, and zero on-board storage. You’ll have to add your own memory through the player’s SD/MMC slot.

I’ve always thought it would be cool if I could just dock my iPod directly into the cassette player in my car, but for now, this’ll have to do.

Charge Box: Hide Those Unsightly Chargers and Cords

Technabob — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 00:13:23 +0000

Design firm ding3000 designed this slick, modern box which lets you turn that rats’ nest of cords and A/C adapters into a presentable piece of home decor.

Designed for German housewares company Konstantin Slawinski, the Charge Box SL12 was designed to conceal the most unwieldy and unattractive part of today’s gadgets. Your portable electronics sit on top of a bright red felt pad, and the cords gracefully drape inside to a hidden outlet strip. Made from coated steel, it’s not cheap looking like some of those plastic cord management solutions out there.

Pricing information was not immediately available, but I’ll be one of the first in line for one of these if they’re not too expensive.

[via Moco Loco]

Powerbug: iPod Shuffle Charging Made Easy

Technabob — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 04:36:53 +0000

Now that you’ve picked up your brightly colored new iPod Shuffle, maybe you’d like a way to keep it charged when you’re not near your computer.

The DLO Powerbug is a compact wall charger that connects to your iPod Shuffle and provides charging any place you have an outlet. Just plug in the included USB cable, and voila out comes a fully charged iPod in a couple of hours. It’s just $22.99 and comes with cables for both 1G and 2G iPod Shuffles.

[via Newlaunches]