Linux gets first driver for USB 3.0

The NEC USB 3.0 controller is due to hit the streets this month, and already Sarah Sharp (the, um, "Geekess") has been able to crank out a Linux driver for the device. Sharp states that she is "working with Keve Gabbert (the OSV person in my group at Intel) to make sure that Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Red Hat" pick up the driver, meaning that Linux users will likely be the first to have their Super Speed dreams become a reality. Are you a hardware manufacturer with some hot USB 3.0 controller prototype that wants to out this guy through its paces? Hit that read link to get started.
[via engadget]

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iHome shows its input peripheral side with LifeWorks tie-up

Clearly not content with just pumping out one iPod alarm clock after another, iHome has decided to broaden its horizons a bit by creating a new LifeWorks line of input peripherals and computer accessories. Slated to launch in earnest sometime this summer, the new line contains just a few standout inclusions. The iPhone-friendly iConnect Keyboard (pictured above) and HTPC-centric Media Keyboard both look like formidable options for those needing a new set of keys, and there are also a gaggle of mice, webcams and headsets to choose from if those items are more your style. Unfortunately, true innovation is still few and far betwixt, but at least your USB ports will appreciate the effort.

[via engadget]

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Video: MakerBot's build-it-yourself 3D printer in action, replicator in the works

We just bumped into the MakerBot industries folks and got a quick look at the CupCake CNC rapid prototyping machine (3D printer, for us luddites). The thing extrudes Lego-type plastic into fairly detailed shapes, and MakerBot sells it as a kit for $750, or fully assembled for $2,500. What's most exciting is that the MakerBot folks are now working on a 3D scanner kit, which once combined with the CupCake CNC will make a full-on homegrown replicator. Diamond Age, here we come! A quick demo of the CupCake is after the break.

[via engadget]

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Econo-Keys EK-76-TP portable keyboard packs a touchpad on the flipside

It's not all that easy to make a keyboard that stands out these days, but the folks at Econo-Keys have managed to do just that with their new EK-76-TP model, even if they may not have gotten the whole "usefulness" thing down pat. As you can see above, this one's claim to fame is a trackpad on the underside of the keyboard, which the company says can be "conveniently" used if you flip over the keyboard, or "used from underneath while typing." The keyboard also looks like it'll hold up well to life on the road, with it conforming to IP67 standards for dirt, dust and water resistance, and able to hold up to hospital-grade cleaning agents. Just don't expect it to come cheap, as Econo-Keys is asking $146 for this little wonder.

[via engadget]

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Engadget's recession antidote: win a NZXT Panzerbox PC case!

This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff / companies stop sending things. Today we've got an NZXT Panzerbox gaming chassis on offer, ready to consume whatever gaming components you've got laying around in search of a home. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Check after the break for some photos of the prize!

Huge thanks to NZXT for providing the gear!

The rules:

* Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too.
* You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
* If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
* Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
* Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) NZXT Panzerbox gaming PC chassis. Approximate retail value is $119.99.
* If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
* Entries can be submitted until Wednesday, June 10th, 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
[via engadget]

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Brando offers up wireless HTPC keyboard with multitouch trackpad

Brando may be best known for some of its slightly off the wall products, but it also carries plenty of less fanciful gadgets, like this HTPC-minded keyboard with a still relatively uncommon built-in multitouch trackpad. As you can sorta see above, that also doubles as the numeric keypad, and you can switch between the two functions at the press of a button, but not a swipe, apparently. Otherwise, you'll get a 2.4GHz RF USB transmitter that can be tucked into the keyboard itself if you don't feel like actually using it, along with 18 presumably customizable hotkeys, and support for Windows XP and Vista, but not Macs. $69 and it's yours.

[via engadget]

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Nokia hopes to one-up Touchstone, harness wireless power for "ambient" phone charging

Like a page torn right out of the government's top secret files on Nikola Tesla, a Nokia research team is working on a wireless energy harvesting mechanism, which sucks up all that cancer-giving RF floating through the air and turns it into electrical current. Their goal is about to capture about 50 milliwatts of power for "ambient charging" -- which would at least be enough to top off the battery while the phone is off. Unfortunately, right now their current prototypes are only pulling down 3 to 5 milliwatts, and many in the industry are convinced it can't be done (don't worry, Nokia, that's just The Man, keeping you down). To be honest, we're not totally sure were comfortable with the thought that there's enough RF floating around to make this even theoretically possible, but as we slowly come to grips with our own mortality, we imagine we'd gladly pay an extra $70 or so for the privilege of never having to charge our phone again. Nokia itself isn't over promising: they plan on supplementing this juice with solar power, and thinks it'll be three or four years until it makes its way into a handset -- probably around the time your existing iPhone contract dries up.

[via engadget]

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Logitech V220 notebook mice now features colors, patterns, psychedelia

Hey old man, with your "sensible shoes" and your "401(K)" and your "Mr. Acker Bilk," we don't need your boring old Logitech mouse. Your scene is so yesterday, man! We just got an eyeful of the new V220 notebook mice and we gotta say -- these bad boys are outtasight! They feature the same RF-based USB wireless dongle action of its boring gray brethren, but now the three-button peripheral comes in several psychedelic hues, including blue, pink, purple and red. If that weren't enough, three new patterns are also available -- sure to blow the minds of any squares who might accidentally wander in to your hip pad. Ships today for $30, and we got one more pic for you after the break. Now, where did we put that Moby Grape album?

[via engadget]

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ExpressCard 2.0 standard finally finalized, faster than ever

A final spec has been promised for over a year now, but the PCMCIA folks have just now finally settled on the long-awaited ExpressCard 2.0 standard which, among other things, incorporates the new SuperSpeed USB spec to allow for faster transfer rates. In real world use, that should translate to transfer rates up to 5Gbps, or roughly 10 times faster than the previous ExpressCard 1.2 standard. Otherwise, you can naturally expect full backwards compatibility with existing ExpressCards and, as PCMCIA hopes, even more products using the format in the future now that it has all that extra bandwidth, although it seems Apple didn't get that memo.

[via engadget]

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Wii Balance Board Power Up Charging Stand from Mad Catz just dares you to revert to AAs

There's just something so defiant about this "Power Up" charging stand from Mad Catz -- it seems specifically designed to take up as much cubic footage as possible, and even the name is domineering. The stand is bizarrely formed in the likeness of a miniature Wii Balance Board, with a replacement battery pack included in the kit with contact charging points to take out all the exertion of flipping the B-Board and swapping out batteries. A foot pedal release mechanism pops the Balance Board out of the stand, and there are a couple of free-spirited USB ports on the thing for charging up whatever other awkwardly-shaped gadgetry you might have around the house.
[via engadget]

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A-DATA's NH92 is "world's slimmest" portable HDD

Unfortunately for mankind, we can't say we've kept a running tally of dimensions for portable hard drives. Thus, it's hard for us to actually prove or refute A-DATA's claims that its NH92 is indeed the slimmest portable HDD this world has ever seen. Still, with a case that's just 12 millimeters thick and 5.36 ounces, we'd wager that this one won't be weighing you down. The all-aluminum chassis contains a single 2.5-inch drive ranging from 250GB to 500GB in size, comes in the delightful array of colors you see pictured above and sports heretofore undisclosed prices.
[via engadget]

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