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IronKey has just announced the availability of its 8GB secure USB device to the masses. Just how secure it is, you ask? For starters, this is a rugged, waterproof and tamper-resistant USB flash drive that boasts always-on hardware encryption, strong authentication, portable applications and a zippy memory to make those file transfers but a snap. With cross platform capability and remote policy enforcement, it makes it easy to deploy rapidly in heterogeneous environments while retaining complete control. The 8GB model will see it join the 1GB, 2GB and 4GB counterparts that are already in the market, providing double the storage capacity of its previous high flier.

As with all other IronKey devices, this is but a snap to use since there is no need whatsoever to install drivers or software before you get it up and running. All users data within the IronKey is encrypted with high-speed military-grade hardware encryption. Providing always-on protection that cannot be disabled unlike software-based encryption, you will find yourself safe from the attempts of cold-boot and brute force attacks. Should a thief attempt to to break into an IronKey and exceeds a policy-determined number of failed login attempts, the IronKey Cryptochip will automatically lock out the encryption functions and securely erase all the encrypted data with its patent-pending Flash Trash technology.

IronKey won’t ship this USB flash drive empty handed as it will come pre-loaded with a suite of applications and services, ranging from a portable version of Firefox to IronKey Password Manager, RSA SecurID and a Secure Sessions service. Interested? While $299 might sound like a whole lot to pay for an 8GB USB flash drive, do take into consideration the amount of security this model offers. After all, better to lose a $299 USB flash drive that is nigh impossible to break into compared to having all your bank account information stored within made available to the thieving rascal, right?

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The SIYOTEAM USB Card Reader + Bluetooth Combo is pretty nifty as it adds Bluetooth functionality to older computers that are missing this module, while enabling you to dabble with a myriad of memory cards such as :-

• SD/SDHC
• miniSD
• microSD/SDHC
• MMC
• Memory Stick Micro (M2)
• Memory Stick
• Memory Stick Pro
• Memory Stick DUO
• Memory Stick Pro DUO

This $15 peripheral measures a mere 69mm x 23mm x 17mm and makes for the perfect traveling device.

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AOL is no longer carrying feeds from satellite radio provider XM now that contract the two companies had has expired. Presumably this also means that subscribers to XM’s online streaming service will no longer have access to AOL Radio. The announcement has been particularly upsetting to listeners from outside the U.S. and Canada, where XM service is unavailable. AOL radio was the only way for them to enjoy the over 80 commercial free music channels XM provides. XM does offer online streaming of their channels, but the service is once again, available to U.S. residents only. In an effort to make up for the loss, XM is offering a special deal to AOL subscribers in which they can sign up for the online service for just $2.99 a month. The company is currently awaiting FCC approval for its much anticipated (and for some, dreaded) merger with rival Sirius Satellite Radio.

Via [CrunchGear]

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The Buddha cell phone probably does not adhere to the Buddha’s Middle Path in design or appearance, but incorporates Buddhist aesthetics – down to the startup screen and ringtones!

The specs for this customized Nokia N70 are downright flashy – a “golden” outer case that has apparently been made by using 24-carat gold plating over a steel base, a huge “jade” button for video (looks more like plastic), and a jewel encrusted camera. The other “regular” features include bluetooth, mp3/mp4 compatibility and video or still photography (duh). The screen also has handwriting recognition – which means, for example, you could just pull out the pen concealed at the side and write down insights that you might want to share with others. Pretty handy.

by Darren Murph, posted May 1st 2008 at 1:42PM
If you’re already taken care of on the HD media streamer front, Mvix is hoping you’ll look its way for a more portable solution. The pocket-friendly MV-2500U checks in at just 5- x 3- x 0.8-inches and makes room for a 2.5-inch internal hard drive. The simple, LCD-less exterior means that you’ll need to access the interface on-screen after plugging in the (component, we presume) cables to your HDTV, after which you’ll be able to watch video files encoded in MPEG1/2/4, DVD (VOB, IFO), DivX, XviD, BivX or VCD (DAT) for both PAL and NTSC systems. You’ll also find support for AC3, MP2, MP3, WMA, OGG and M3U audio formats, and even JPEG photos can be shown in beautiful 720p / 1080i. Unfortunately, this wee piece will run you a stiff $149 before you even go hard drive shopping, but Mvix will happily add an 80GB, 160GB or 250GB HDD in there if you’ve got the coin.

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Portable Video

by Nilay Patel, posted May 1st 2008 at 6:34AM
Just hold on a little while longer, Canadian Zune-lovers — it seems that your wait is almost over. A job listing just popped up on the Vancouver Craigslist, looking for a “Microsoft Zune Program Coordinator” who will “represent our client Microsoft on their launch of Zune in the Canadian marketplace.” The job calls for applicants to be available between May 12 and June 20, so if it’s legit — and we hope it is, just because we prefer to believe no one is sad enough to fake this — it looks like the Zune will finally roll into Canada in just a few weeks.

It might be in a slightly smaller posse, though: the crew over at ClicZune recently took a gander at Microsoft’s Canadian Zune promo page and noticed that the Zune 30 and the green flash Zunes are conspicuously absent. (Also missing is the recently released red Zune 80, but that was announced after the pages in question were made.) It’s hard to tell what this means — do Canadians hate green things? Are the 30 and green on their way out in the US as well? — but hopefully we’ll get some answers in just a couple weeks.

[Via ClicZune, thx Penny]

Read - Craigslist ad
Read - Microsoft Canadian Zune promo page

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

by Joshua Topolsky, posted May 1st 2008 at 10:07AM
Now that AT&T has full control of wireless hotspots like Starbucks and Barnes and Nobles, it looks like they’re doling out freebies to their favorite customers: iphone users. Apparently, if you’ve got one of Apple’s devices, you can hop on the WiFi networks for exactly zero dollars provided you enter your phone number at a login screen. Great for iPhone owners, but a raw deal for everyone else, right? Not so fast, apparently a dumb hack gets you the service on the house too — just switch your browser’s user agent to Mobile Safari, and presto! Free internet. We can’t imagine this is a hole that won’t get plugged real fast, so get it while the gettin’s good.

[Via TUAW]

Read - AT&T Providing Free Wi-Fi Access to iPhone Users
Read - Hotspot hack

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Filed under: cellphones, Networking

by Joshua Topolsky, posted May 1st 2008 at 11:49AM
It used to be if you signed up for a new checking account, a bank might throw off a toaster, alarm clock, or in extreme modern cases, a 1GB ipod shuffle. Well times, they are a’changing, and boy do we wish we lived in Canada right now. Up north, RBC Royal Bank is offering a free ASUS Eee PC when you switch to their checking account service. That’s right, you get an actual computer after completing the move (and dealing with a lot of red tape). Sure, it’s only the 7-inch, 2GB version, but it still runs Xandros way better than this solar calculator we got from our bank.

[Thanks, Matt]

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Filed under: Laptops

While we are yet to see an official announcement from AT&T, or any of the available locations there are reports of iPhone users being allowed free Wi-Fi access at a variety of locations. As you can most likely guess, thanks to all the recent switch over news that Starbucks is included in this offering, but there has also been some success reported at Barnes and Noble. With AT&T’s whopping 71,000 available locations that include many airports and McDonalds locations as well as the previously mentioned Starbucks and Barnes and Noble this should be welcome news to just about every iphone user.

The first logon will present you with a special login window that prompts you for your telephone number, and of course asks you to agree to the terms. While we would never suggest that anyone break the terms, however there has also been a mention that this can be faked to gain access on laptops.

I think I may have to take a trip over to my local Starbucks today, to give this a testing. All in the name of tech though, not like I need any extra excuse to grab another Latte.

Via [MacRumors]

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by Thomas Ricker, posted May 1st 2008 at 5:30AM
With a sample group of one, it’s a bit too early to call the Dell Vostro 1310 keyboard a problem. Nevertheless, reader Jake is livid about Dell’s chosen keyboard configuration for his UK-shipped 1310. Especially as it looks nothing like the layout pictured on Dell’s UK site. As tethered keyboard jockeys we’d have to agree. Any other UK readers seeing the same massive left-shift key and offset-zed (and thus, the entire row scooted to the right) layout on their new Vostro? Bigger images after the break.

Update: Jake’s been on the horn with Dell who confirms the issue exists on all 1310s (and possibly others) in the UK. We’ll update you again once Dell sorts out a fix.

Update 2: Dell issued us a statement regarding the keyboard screwiness: “A limited number of Dell Vostro 1310 and 1510 laptops in Europe have been sent out with the wrong keyboard layout. We are working diligently to offer a solution to impacted customers and correct the error before any additional units are shipped. We will be contacting impacted customers directly to both apologize and instruct them on next steps. This issue is under investigation, and we will come back with more detailed information as soon as possible. We thank you and your readers’ for their comments - we agree that a mistake has been made and we will be acting as quickly as possible to find a satisfactory solution for our customers.” Guess that’s that!

[US model image courtesy of NotebookReview]
US layout

UK layout

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Filed under: Laptops