USB Company
December 21, 2009

A Pokket Mouse that goes Everywhere with You

Pokket-Mouse

Computers continue to get smaller. New ideas like netbooks continue to redefine modern computing. Unfortunately, the computer mouse hasn’t always kept up with this revolution, and most full featured mice are too big and bulky to cart around.

Early attempts at creating a portable mouse relied on making an existing design smaller. Unfortunately, these mini mice didn’t fit well into the hand and the buttons felt cramped. Worse, they didn’t always track well, causing the cursor to jerk across the screen.

The new generation of pokket mice are much more ergonomic. More important, they are small enough to fit in your pocket yet deliver a full sized mouse experience.

The secret is the shape. Instead of making a mouse designed to fit in your palm smaller, these new pocket mice are thin and rectangular, providing you with a tremendous amount of precision, and most important, comfort.

The Pokket Mouse from the USB Company is a good example of thoughtful design combined with great features. The mouse uses an optical tracking system so you don’t have to worry about the surface you’re working on. The optical system is extremely accurate. It is also low maintenance since you don’t have to keep it squeaky clean like the old roller mice.

It’s also extremely portable. Measuring just 13 x 50 x 84 mm, the Pokket Mouse fits easily into a shirt or pants pocket. A travel pouch is included to help keep the electronics clean. It’s not really necessary, but it is a nice touch.

For those wanting to make a powerful presence with their promotional and branding efforts, the Pokket Mouse is a perfect choice. The mouse comes in your choice of blue, white, black and red. For added impact, your logo lights up with a simple touch of the mouse so your marketing message is always visible, even in a darkened aircraft cabin.

Don’t be put off by its small size. The Pokket Mouse is full featured and a delight to use. It can go anywhere your laptop or netbook goes and will always offer dependable and precise tracking and clicking, so you can enjoy your computing experience without having to work on a trackpad all the time. As anyone knows, trackpads look like a cool innovation, but if you’re used to working with a mouse day in and day out, a trackpad can feel alien and greatly reduce your productivity.
If you’re looking for a high value, high impact promotional item for your next event or campaign, consider the Pokket Mouse.

Posted in Promotional USB Gifts | Tagged , ,
December 21, 2009

Chromium OS on a USB Flash Drive

portable-google-chrome-chromium-for-your-usb-drives-300x243

A sneak peek at the next-generation Chromium OS from Google

Chromium OS isn’t supposed to be released by Google to the public until late next year, but the early betas are already showing promise. If Chromium OS lives up to its initial hype you can count on having an open source operating system that is fast, simple and more secure than any existing OS on the market today, including Windows 7, Mac OS X and Linux.

We’ve had the chance to test the new operating system on a netbook. Specifically, this is the Hexxeh USB build, which allows the Chromium OS to be booted from a USB flash drive or stick. Within 7 to 8 seconds after hitting the power button, the fully loaded Google Chrome browser has you ready for work. It’s lightning fast and could become the future of mobile computing.

One reason it shows potential is that the Chromium OS is designed for today’s computers. No matter how much Microsoft or Apple operating systems are updated they are still based on a computer framework that is more than 30 years old; a framework that dictates that the OS is the center of a computing universe.
But these operating systems were developed long before the Internet and web-based computing. As such, they’re akin to using a Betamax VCR with a high definition television – the technologies can’t make the best use of each other.

Access to the Internet is just a small part of a computer’s capabilities even though the Internet has become central to the user’s experience as they increasingly access files, games, multimedia, social networks and online applications.
Of course, Google isn’t ready to tout Chromium OS as the be-all do-all in their formal communications just yet. They still need access to Windows, Mac and Linux code to make their browsers work with existing platforms. But we believe they see the writing is on the wall and that Internet-based applications are the wave of the
future.

If this is the case, then Chromium is spot-on in its objectives. It is open source, promoting innovation and ready access to the development community. It is designed to be fast, simple and secure. And it is designed specifically to give you plug and play access to the Web for true mobile computing, taking advantage of applications that live within the browser, not the computer itself. Since there’s no central collection point of processing, security is simplified because each application has its own security sandbox, which makes it much harder to infect your computer. If there is a virus, it will stay isolated in the application, at least that is the theory.

But the commitment to security runs much deeper than that, according to Google. Every time you start your computer up, it verifies the code. If something is wrong, the operating system is designed to fix itself during a reboot. Even if a malicious code is added, the system will delete it.

The real beauty is its speed. So far, Chromium OS is proving to be extremely fast and responsive and the company says this is going to remain a high priority, to the point where developers are receiving specifications to ensure that the system doesn’t become bogged down with extraneous code and bloatware.

In our own tests we’ve been booting up our netbook with Chromium OS, setting the preferences so the computer boots off the USB as priority 1, with the hard drive #2. It has proven to be extremely faithful and consistent in booting up. And best of all, all of our settings, preferences and passwords go right along with us, regardless of the computer we’re using.

That’s true mobile computing and hopefully, Chromium OS will only get better as it undergoes more thorough testing and additional builds, along with the addition of new developer apps to enhance its capabilities.
We’ll have more on Chromium OS as it goes through its beta testing.

Posted in Technology News | Tagged , ,
November 24, 2009

Top Ten Tips On Buying Promotional USB’s

Bulk Packaging

USB flash drives (sticks) are quite simply the most versatile and memorable item in the promotional gifts marketplace today. They allow you to pre-load information, giving the user quick and easy access to your latest catalogue or marketing campaign. I’d like to see a pen or mug do that…

But, what should you be looking for when buying promotional USB flash drive.

1. Quality
Make sure you choose a supplier who specialise in sticks and not a company offering everything. You’re looking to raise your profile, which will not be achieved by branding sub quality goods with your logo.

2. Marketing Message
A branded stick with your brochure or catalogue pre-loaded is a great way of getting your message across. In most cases we discourage the use of auto-run. It does not work on Mac’s and many administrators have blocked it.

3. Sales Vehicle
Using a stick as an incentive is a great way to get clients to buy a premium product. Alternatively it can be used as a bargaining tool for your sales staff. People love free gifts.

4. Speed
A good quality stick will have a minimum of 3MB/s writing speed and 15MB/s reading speed. Based on this a low quality 1GB stick would require approximately four minutes to fill up. A good quality one would take just under two minutes.

5. Packaging
A stylish gift box branded with your logo adds value to the stick. If you don’t have any specific packaging requirements we recommend using trays, which is more environmentally friendly.

6. Model
A professional supplier will be able to suggest a model to suit your requirements. Customising the shape or colour of the stick is a good way of making sure that you stand out from the crowd. A premium model may cost a little extra but will pay ultimately pay dividends.

7. Accessories
Adding a keyring or lanyard to the stick will allow the user to safely attach it to their person. Incorporating password protection is smart practice if sensitive information has been pre-loaded.

8. Branding
There are four types of branding which are commonly used, here are their pros and cons:
Silk Screen
Pros: cheap, quick lead times
Cons: can easily wear off on a keychain
Resin Dome
Pros: photographic quality, long lasting, short lead times
Cons: a bit more pricey
Engraving
Pros: long lasting, subtle and stylish 
Cons: no colours
Tampo
Pros: can print on rounded surfaces
Cons: high volume required

9. Express Service
If you are regularly buying sticks it might be useful to consider a supplier who retains stock in the UK. They should offer an express service and delivery can be as fast as 24 hours nationwide.

10. Price
When you purchase sticks you’ll want to get value for money but a very cheap price often means poor quality. If you have any lingering doubts insist on seeing a sample. Memory prices can vary on a daily basis so make sure you get an updated quote before you place your order.

A note on quality:
A good quality stick should work perfectly for approximately 10,000 write/erase cycles, which is the equivalent of filling and emptying the stick once a day for 25 years. Fake or white chips as they are often referred to can start to suffer from the very first cycle and are more prone to error messages and very slow data transfer speeds.

Posted in USB Buying Guide | Tagged , , , ,
November 11, 2009

Mouse mats offer comfort and protection

Mousemat Wrist Support
In a world filled with laser mice and trackball devices, it may appear that the mouse mat’s days are numbered. But this simply isn’t the case. Mouse mats continue to make sense as a promotional item for two very important reasons: comfort and protection.
One of the great things about a mouse mat is that it provides a nice cushion on an otherwise hard surface – your desk. The padding lets you rest the ball of your hand comfortably as you jockey the mouse’s buttons to move your cursor around the screen. Without it, that hard surface can become very uncomfortable, very quickly.
Promotional mouse mats also serve another important role these days. They can protect the finish on the desk or other surface you’re working on. This is particularly important if you work in a home office, as home furnishings aren’t quite as indestructible as commercial grade furniture. Nothing is more frustrating than getting a small piece of dirt under your mouse and have it etch a permanent memory into your lovely wood desktop. Even the plastic used to make a laser mouse can leave a very lasting impression on your expensive home office furniture or lovely dining room table.

Since they continue to be so useful, both at home or the office, mouse mats make a really good gift item. If you’re looking for a smart choice for a promotional item, what’s better than having your logo or message constantly in view at the recipient’s place of work? For 8 or more hours a day, your message is constantly working for you, reminding prospects, customers and clients that you’re here to meet their needs.

If you’re looking for a promotional mouse mat for today’s input devices, you want to think about the thickness and the skid-resistant qualities of the item. These qualities are important. First, a mouse mat that is too thick won’t allow the ball of your hand to move with the mouse or to lift and stretch to reach a button on a trackball. Like the proverbial story of The Three Bears, a mouse mat that is too thin may save you a few pennies, but it won’t provide support and comfort for the recipient. When shopping for a mouse mat to give away as a promotional item, you want one that is “just right.”

If you want to help the recipient avoid repetitive strain, you may want to opt for a soft mat with a built-in wrist support. The end of the mouse mat is thicker than the section where the mouse goes. This thicker padding helps prevent repetitive strain injuries, which will be greatly appreciated by the recipient.
While we’re talking about quality of the mouse mat, here’s one more helpful hint. Don’t get one that has a textured top surface. These were great in the days of rolling mice, but the newest generation of laser mice don’t perform as well on them. The mouse should roll smoothly across and not bind. The tracking with a laser mouse is much more precise on a smooth surface.
The reverse is true for the underside of the mouse mat. You want the bottom to stay where it’s put on the desk or table. Nothing’s worse than having a mouse mat that moves around as easily as the mouse that’s on top of it. A good non-skid backing will do just fine.

If you’re looking for a fun mouse mat, consider one of the aqua mouse mats out on the market. These mouse mats have liquids inside of them that change the look of the mouse mat constantly. You can even add glitter or small metallic shapes if you’d like.

One thing you can count on. Mouse mats are here to stay. They are a great promotional item that your prospects, customers and clients will use in the most innovative ways while your branding message stays in front of them throughout the workday.

Posted in Promotional USB Gifts | Tagged
November 11, 2009

Great Christmas Gifts That Leave a Lasting Impression

christmas
The holidays are just around the corner and for many companies that means some last minute shopping for employees who have really gone the extra mile in this challenging world economy.

If your company likes to put a little something extra in their stockings, there are plenty of great new promotional items out this year that any stocking-stuffing Santa would be proud to give out.

One of the most practical but stylish gifts this year is USB sticks that double as wristbands. This allows the user to always have some extra memory with them to swap out files, share images or make quick backups before leaving the home or office. Since they snap right onto your wrist, they are always handy.
If you’re looking for an extra stocking stuffer, USB sticks in a wrap around wristband are a good choice that everyone will love. Plus, you can get them in an array of colours, which adds to their perceived value as a holiday gift.

As anyone knows, holiday memories are made to last and a digital photo frame is a great way to display them. These photo frames let you thank an employee for a job well done while keeping your message front and centre as the recipient shows others their cherished holiday photos.

Of course, the holidays don’t have to be all about practical gifts. If you want to show your fun side, USB massagers are all the rage right now. These massagers plug right into the USB port of any computer and give the recipient a little refreshing mid-day buzz to keep their hands from cramping from a long day of crunching numbers or finishing reports.

Another popular item this holiday season are branded USB powered speakers. These little marvels sound great and are the perfect gift for employees who are travelling on business regularly. You can choose from a wide range of powered speakers, including the new USB Vase Speakers that are perfect for laptops. They even light up, adding beauty and function to the recipient’s workday, whether they are in the office, at home or on the road.

Another thoughtful gift that’s sure to get lots of use is a 4-port USB Hub. Even with a desktop system there never seems to be enough USB ports these days, and it’s even truer with notebooks and laptops. One of the nice things about the newest USB hubs is that they are backwards compatible, so you can enjoy the speed of USB 2.0 while still using the hub with a USB 1.1 compliant computer.
Some of the newer hubs are really small, which makes them the perfect accessory for those that love their portable, anywhere lifestyle. These hubs also do a few new tricks. For example, some of the newest promotional item USB hubs have a time and date function. It can even tell you the temperature. Printed with your logo, this 4-port USB Hub is sure to be a hit with those lucky enough to receive one.

Whether you’re looking to add a little fun to your employee’s stockings or simply saying thank you for all their hard work in the past year, there are plenty of great USB promotional items out there to choose from. No matter what you choose, your employees will almost certainly be thrilled to be on Santa’s list this year.

Posted in Promotional USB Gifts, USBs for Marketing | Tagged , , ,
September 17, 2009

Promotional USB Outlook – prices to increase through 2010

NAND_Flash Price outlook

Those of you that regularly purchase USB Memory sticks should be familiar with fluctuating prices. During 2007 and 2008 the prices for USB’s was relatively cheap due to a good exchange rate for the dollars and oversupply of flash memory. Today the prices are going up due to a weak pound and undersupply of flash memory in the market.

The main reasons is that Flash Producers invested heavily in production facilities  during 2006-07 which resulted in overcapacity and forced them to sell flash memory at prices below production cost to pay off their investment in production facilities.
This has scared them to invest in more equipment and now with increased demand the prices has escalated as the supply is lower than demand. This year alone the industry has grown by 100%, even in recession due to increased demand for flash in devices such as SSD (solid state hard drives) and mobile phones.

Its expected that the price will stabilise during 2010 and we also have new technology such as TLC – triple level cell and 4LC which is aimed at the more low tech devices so hopefully the manufacturers will be able to offer this for the promotional market at a more attractive price. There is no word on when these might be available as yet.

 Also we see that the higher capacity drives are not as affected by the price raise as the low capacity ones but of course in the promotional market is very cost conscious. On the other hand we see that higher capacity becomes more mainstream and that clients are willing to pay more for 2GB and upwards.

So to those of you in the market for Branded USB Memory sticks it might be wise to get your orders in sooner rather than later.
For the resellers its important to warn clients of price fluctuations so they are prepared.

On the upside this is something that affects everyone and this will affect everyone in the market so the competition will struggle with the same problems of rising purchase costs.

I hope this helps explain some of the story behind the price fluctuations in the market..

Johan Ellingsen
USB Company

Posted in Technology News | Tagged , ,
September 17, 2009

New Generation of Flash drives to be based on USB 3.0 specs

usb3-cable

Boasting 10 times the speed of the USB 2.0 ports that have become the standard in connectivity, USB 3.0 ports and cabling should begin to make their way onto the market sometime in early 2010.

Offering transfer rates of up to 4.8Gbit/second compared to the USB 2.0’s rate of 480MBit/second, the 3.0 standard will eventually revolutionize the transfer of large files, such as video, raw digital photos and music mixes.

But don’t worry too much if you’re still using USB 2.0 or even first generation USB 1.1 ports and connections. The new standard is fully backwards compatible. You won’t get the blazing speeds, but you can still use the new cords and connectors in the old ports. They will just transfer at the slower speeds of these older standards.

According to Intel, one of the companies leading the effort to bring USB 3.0 to market, the new ports and cabling will be optimized for low power consumption and improved efficiency. The actual ports and cables will be designed with both copper and optical capabilities. This could mean even faster speeds in the future.

Says Jeff Ravencraft, Intel’s technology strategist, “The digital era requires high-speed performance and reliable connectivity to move the enormous amounts of digital content now present in everyday life. USB 3.0 will meet this challenge while maintaining USB 2.0’s ease-of-use experience.”

The new USB 3.0 ports should begin to appear in late 2009 or more likely early 2010. It’s anticipated that the new technology will be quickly added to computers at a premium price, since manufacturers will be anxious to differentiate themselves from their competitors.

USB 3.0’s arrival wasn’t without problems. Both AMD and NVIDIA challenged Intel, claiming the company was withholding the new standard’s draft certification. This could put Intel at an advantage in the market, since USB 3.0 supports a more flexible power scheme. Even with the new scheme, the sockets still are limited to providing just 500mA of power, which is the same as USB 2.0.

Whether USB 3.0 catches on remains to be seen. Even though FireWire 800 ports have been around for quite a while, its less capable sibling, FireWire 400, is still the standard. Outside of MacPros from Apple, it’s hard to find FireWire 800 support in the marketplace. Consumers just aren’t demanding it. Whether they will want USB 3.0 remains to be seen.

As soon as devices and cabling support for USB 3.0 arrive on the market, you can expect the makers of promotional USB flash drives to quickly get on board. Since the drives are backward compatible, it will be easy for manufacturers to make the switch, knowing that their customers can easily upgrade without fears of incompatibility. Look for USB 3.0 flash drives to arrive in the first half of 2010.

Posted in Technology News | Tagged , ,
September 17, 2009

Saving Time and Money with USB flash drives

USB Key black and white

Branded products are a mainstay of our culture. From bottled water and phones to luxury cars and jeans, we are surrounded by corporate logos and stylish graphics designed to capture our attention and our loyalty.

Branding isn’t about to go out of style any time soon, either. Step into an Apple store anywhere in the world and you’ll see how effective branding can create an almost cult-like status for products and the companies that make them.

Of course, USB flash drives are a highly popular choice for branding. What’s more, these drives can also save businesses, college students, project teams and other drive owners time and money in a surprising number of ways.

For example, it’s terribly easy to get USB flash drives mixed up, especially when working in project teams or on assignments with others. At first glance, the mix up doesn’t seem like a big deal since USB flash drives are so affordable, especially when compared to hard drives and laptops.

While the loss of the drive itself isn’t costly, the loss of the data it contains can be quite costly. Not only does the data have value, but there’s the time it took to create it. The loss of a drive can mean hours of additional labour to recreate the files that have gone missing.

One of the ways to prevent this from happening is to have USB flash drives designed for specific projects, work groups, college courses or programs. That way, the drives won’t get lost in the sea of other drives. The unique colour scheme, logo, design or style of USB flash drive can instantly identify it, at least within a specific work group. From there, it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to find out whose drive it is. A quick look at the data, file structure or even the name of the USB flash drive can be telling. For example, a drive can be set up to mount as “Bob’s Project” or “Sarah’s Transfer Files”. Anyone within the work group can quickly identify the owner of the USB flash drive.

If specific project files are being shared, you can also create a series of branded USB flash drives that are colour coded or have specific project titles on it. Relevant titles or colours can be apportioned to each USB flash drive, so each work group has its own identification. For example, a particular project within the company can have a single style of USB flash drive. For the marketing team, the colour is blue, for production it is red, for management it is green and shipping has yellow. The overall design ties them all together, but it’s easy to see the type of data contained on it and the group it belongs to by colour alone.

Of course, every expense in the corporate world is being examined these days and storage devices are no different. While the cost of flash drive memory is slightly greater than a traditional hard drive, the advantage of USB flash drives is that they are virtually indestructible, something the more delicate hard drives can’t claim, due to their moving parts. Drop a hard drive and it’s toast. A USB flash drive can survive just about anything an employee, college student or customer can dish out. Fashionable, functional and affordable, branded USB flash drives are the perfect answer for sharing files in work groups, project teams and college classrooms.

Posted in USBs for Marketing | Tagged , ,
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