Samsung Electronics  announced Optical SMART Hub, the SE-208BW optical disc drive (ODD) for backing up and accessing all your media files – pictures, movies, MP3s and data files.

The new Optical SMART Hub can be accessed from your tablet, smartphone, and Smart TV and up to four devices can access simultaneously. The Optical SMART Hub helps extend the storage on devices by acting as a personal cloud. The Optical SMART Hub allows CD and DVD writing function without ever turning on a desktop or notebook. With the addition of a Samsung application, users can enable their smartphone, tablet, and PC access to the Optical Smart Hub. The app for the Samsung smartphones and tablets are available now.

The new Optical SMART Hub allows users to:

  • Build a Wi-Fi home cloud system
  • Take advantage of Wireless, Ethernet, USB connectivity
  • Support mobile devices, PC, Read/Write devices
  • Establish scalable support for storage with external USB

The SE-208BW combines an external ODD with a wireless module to provide wider end-user benefits. Offering CD/DVD streaming and writing capabilities, the SE-208BW features Samsung’s APP to enable smartphone, tablet and PC users to wirelessly stream and play CDs and DVDs on their smart devices to listen to music or watch their favorite movies. Read the rest of this entry »


Roku Streaming Stick

Building on the success of the award-winning Roku streaming players, Roku unveiled a new solution to make a better Smart TV. The new Roku Streaming Stick is a wireless device about the size of a standard USB flash drive that will plug into a TV to instantly transform it into a Smart TV.

The Roku Streaming Stick will feature built-in WiFi, processor, memory and software to deliver Roku’s growing collection of streaming entertainment. With these new Smart TVs, consumers will enjoy a fully integrated high-definition streaming experience. Read the rest of this entry »


Wisair, the leading vendor of UWB and Wireless USB single chip based solutions, announced today the availability of its latest 2 in 1 wireless adapter, offering both PC to TV and Video Chat on TV.

New products based on this solution have been launched by Warpia and EZAir Wireless.

The new slim universal wireless adapter that sits on top of the TV is connected to it via an HDMI port available in any flat screen TV. It incorporates a camera and the TV adapter, both connected wirelessly to a laptop PC.

The adapter is the perfect solution for those who wish to video chat with remotely located family members or friends and is agnostic to the remote side video gear (can be a Smartphone, PC or Tablet with webcam). Students in dorms, businesspeople on travel, grandparents and others, can now see and chat with their loved ones without the limitation of seeing them one at a time or forcing them to try and push themselves into the frame. They can all sit conveniently in the living room in front of the TV and participate in the call.

The adapter is also truly universal since users are not limited to a specific video call application and can use any application they prefer, such as Skype, Messenger, Google Talk, Facebook Video, Oovoo, Vidiyo, QQ and any new video application that will be available in the future. Read the rest of this entry »


Cirago Launches New USB 3.0 Accessories at 2012 CES

  • Author: USB World
  • Filed under: USB News
  • Date: Jan 5,2012

USB 3.0 to HDMI Display Adapter Delivers HD Quality Video Resolution; Dual Hard Drive Docking Station Offers USB 3.0 Speed and Standalone Cloning without a PC

Cirago International announced the launch of two new additions to its growing line of USB 3.0 “SuperSpeed” accessories that provide faster data transfer speed and a better interactive experience to support the growing demand for high-performance connectivity between PCs, peripherals and accessories. The company unveiled the new USB 3.0 products at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

“USB 3.0 is quickly becoming the new standard in connectivity, offering up to 10-times faster data transfer for less wait time and improved latency, but with backward compatibility to USB 2.0 that enables you to continue using all of your current gear,” said Patrick Lo, Cirago CEO. “As more and more PC manufacturers implement USB 3.0 technology, our new USB 3.0 devices are a future-proof investment—even if you don’t have a USB 3.0-equipped PC now, the next one you purchase most likely will be, and you’ll be ready.” Read the rest of this entry »


USB-IF Announced New USB Audio/ Video Device Class Specification

  • Author: USB World
  • Filed under: USB News
  • Date: Jan 2,2012

The USB-IF announced its release of the USB-IF Audio/Video Device Class Specification. The specification supports the transfer of A/V data over USB to a wide variety of A/V devices, including cell phones, cameras, pico projectors, webcams, large HD displays and TVs. The A/V Device Class Definition enables manufacturers of small form factor devices to develop single-cable devices, which provide both power and display over one USB cable.

“The USB-IF is thrilled to have added the USB Audio/Visual Device Class Definition to its robust set of specifications,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President & COO. “This addition further establishes USB as an all-inclusive, comprehensive solution for manufacturers and consumers, while maintaining the affordability and ease-of-use that have made USB so successful. Continued USB advancements along with the technology’s scalability pave the road ahead for USB.”

USB provides consumers with an affordable, backward compatible solution that supplies not only data transfer, but also simultaneously delivers seamless audio/video capabilities, power, mass storage and more. In comparison, other technologies are designed only for a primary application. For example, many specifications are designed to just connect mobile phones and portable devices to HDTVs and displays. Additionally, the USB licensing obligation for the new Audio/Video Device Class Specification is on a reciprocal, zero-royalty basis. USB brings to market a complete solution, providing consumers with a myriad of use cases.

For more information on USB and the A/V Device Class Definition, visit http://www.usb.org.