Fresco Logic has Big Plans for its Uber-fast USB 3.0 Host Controller
The lack of native chipset support for USB 3.0 has created a large demand for discrete host controllers. This upsurge in demand has compelled a number of fab manufacturers, including NEC, ASMedia, Texas Instrument, VIA and etc., to enter the market to fill the void left by Intel. Now, even smaller companies want a piece of the pie.
Fresco Logic's latest two-port USB 3.0 controller, dubbed FL1009, makes full use of PCI Express 2.0 x1. While this chip aims at notebooks, motherboards and add-on cards, it is also optimized for low-power consumption without compromising performance. Fresco Logic claims this is possible due to its GoXtream xHCI Accelerator Engine. The same architecture additionally allows each USB port to sustain full bandwidth of USB 3.0 throughput. This is quite an ambitious goal. So, how good is the FL1009 exactly? At Taipei Computex, the company has successfully demoed FL1009 capable to delivering over 350MB/s. This means you could easily run a SSD in RAID-0 mode and possibly streams uncompressed 1080p HD video simultaneously.
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Philips' Super Slick Travel USB Speakers are a Rare Burst of Style & Innovation
Philips hasn't exactly been an innovator in the area of style in our opinion. No disrespect intended, they are a bastion of quality and durability. Every Philips product we've ever owned is still running, boring but running. These "Dancing Twin" USB PC speakers, out today, are form and function that you might only expect from Apple or LaCie. The portable speakers have a very modern look and are solely powered by USB. They provide their own digital audio through the same USB cable, driverless of course, for both PC and Mac, and they are indeed a pair of really nice, modern looking speakers perfect for the dorm room or Pompidou.
Once you are done with them, they can be pressed together in an oblong egg shape about the size of a soda can. The USB cord tucks away for a perfectly portable pair of picturesque players. No cord mess, well protected and able to dole out decent volume on the go. It's hard to put a price on fuss-free peripherals, harder still, because Philips hasn't disclosed their MSRP. Best guess, expect to pay $50 to $80 for these upon release.
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BOSS DS-1 Distortion USB Mouse Cool but Not Very Comfy
We've seen Steampunk mice but this might be just plain Punk. This Compact Mouse from BOSS is modeled after the DS-1 distortion pedal used by many guitarists. While this may make for a fun novelty mouse, the cool factor doesn't quite make up for the discomfort. Just looking at this mouse makes my hand hurt. When are people going to realize that USB drives are the way to express yourselves, mice should be ergonomic and functional. Mice should fill the palm in a natural position. There's just no excuse for a square mouse, even to the greatest of guitar heroes.
About the only place this would be acceptable is the cash register at a guitar store. The hard edges and rickety buttons just won't cut it in a high use role. This unwieldy cramp machine is available from the BOSS website for just over $43. Only serious fans should inquire.
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