The Gadget Blog - New Gadgets & Tech Talk

Green living: Save energy on video games and home electronics

Jennifer — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:55:17 +0000

(ARA) – In today’s economy, consumers are looking to keep costs down and save on bills. Saving money can also save energy. Game consoles and home electronics consume a staggeringly high amount of energy, but there is something that can be done about it.

The Art Institute of Washington suggests some easy and efficient ways to save energy.

Unplug the video games and consider energy-efficient home game consoles. Game consoles such as The Sony Playstation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 operate as high-definition video players, therefore they use more energy than the Nintendo Wii. Game Art & Design Instructor Yanan Wu encourages students to consider purchasing a smaller video game system: “If a student is on the go all the time, it would be more efficient for him or her to get a handheld gaming device like PSP or Nintendo DS since they consume much less energy than a video game console.”

Make it a habit to turn off the power button on just about everything, but just turning off the power button is not enough. Light bulbs in large home electronics that require bulbs can be replaced with energy-efficient wattages. Home computers should be shut down completely and plugged into a single surge protector, away from other electronics.

IT Tech 1 Specialist Luis Alfaro, at The Art Institute of Washington, says that most people waste energy at home with their computers, laptops and other electronic gadgets. “These items should be turned off and not just left on idle. Turn off your computer before you go to bed. It saves on both energy and wear and tear,” Alfaro says.

Consider efficient devices and utilizing existing power-saving features. “Among video game consoles, Wii uses less power than PS3 and Xbox 360 because games on Wii are less graphic intensive,” Wu adds.

Here are some additional tips for saving energy in the home:

1. Consider rechargeable batteries.

2. Pull the plug on devices when not in use or put all your electronics and chargers on a power strip.

3. If you’re in the middle of a video game, save it so that you can pick up where you left off.

4. Enable the automatic power down feature, which will shut down your device if it’s left idle for a certain amount of time. This isn’t always easy to do and you might need to install software first, so go to the software provider’s Web site for step-by-step instructions.

5. Most large appliances like televisions and microwaves store up energy when they are not in use. Often, they consume more energy as they are stored than they would if they were actually being used. Either unplug or shut off the power supply to these appliances when not in use.

6. To quickly and easily warm the house, don’t forget to open the curtains. Sunlight is an often overlooked heat resource.

To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Cybercrime victim? 3 telltale signs and what to do

Jennifer — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:16:39 +0000

Criminals are relentless when it comes to trying to access your personal information, credit and bank accounts. We call it H*Commerce or hacker commerce

(ARA) – Nearly 10 million people in the United States were victims of identity fraud last year and, over the past two years alone, Americans have lost $8.5 billion to online con artists. When online criminals are so convincing, how do you avoid becoming a victim? And how do you know if you’ve already become a victim of a cybercrime and know where to go for help?

Recently an Oregon woman lost nearly half a million dollars of her family’s retirement savings in a cyberscam. Her saga started when she used a genealogy Web site to track down her family history and ended with a cybercriminal stealing information about her and her family members. Her dramatic story is chronicled in a Web film series at www.stophcommerce.com.

“Criminals are relentless when it comes to trying to access your personal information, credit and bank accounts. We call it H*Commerce or hacker commerce,” says Pamela Warren, cybercrime strategist at McAfee, the world’s largest dedicated security technology company. “The sad news is that consumers sometimes lose hundreds of thousands of dollars or sometimes their life savings to these cybercrooks.”

Warren shares best practices and telltale warning signs that you have been the victim of a cybercrime, and what to do about it:

Telltale sign 1:
You find unexplained charges or suspicious activity on one or more of your financial accounts.

What to do:
Contact your financial institutions immediately and report the crime to law enforcement agencies. If you find the transaction was fraudulent, consider placing a fraud alert on your accounts with the three credit reporting agencies.

How to keep it from happening to you:
Cybercriminals are incredibly savvy at creating legitimate looking Web sites, including sties requiring financial information. To be sure you don’t fall victim, download a safe search tool, like SiteAdvisor, that will alert you if you’re about to click on a dangerous site.

Telltale sign 2:
Your computer suddenly slows down and/or you start seeing numerous pop-up ads.

What to do:
Sudden changes in your computer’s performance can be a sign that it’s infected with spyware, viruses and other forms of malicious software. Install and update your computer security software.

How to keep it from happening to you:
Make sure the subscription to your security software is current, and you have adequate protection. As cybercriminals evolve their tricks, you can rest assured that you’re safe.

Telltale sign 3:
You responded to an e-mail or Web site request for personal information and now think it might have been a scam.

What to do:
It’s possible you are now the victim of an online fraud that uses e-mails and Web sites looking like legitimate businesses to solicit personal or account information. Check your financial accounts. If you notice unusual activity, notify the appropriate financial institutions.

How to keep it from happening to you:
Never follow links in e-mails from businesses or people that you do not know.

If you have become the victim of an online scam, you are not alone. Tens of thousands of Americans fall prey to clever cybercriminals each year.

To diagnose your situation if you think you may be a victim of cybercrime, and learn how to stay safe in the future, visit McAfee’s Cybercrime Response Unit at McAfee.com/CRU.

The CRU acts as an “online 911” and provides many tips on what to do if you’ve been scammed, information on the tactics cybercriminals use, online safety tips and resources to report cybercrime to law enforcement and other authorities. You can also speak to live experts who can directly assist you in recovering from an attack.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Back-to-school tips to keep your family safe online

Jennifer — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:04:12 +0000

(ARA) – The end of summer means it’s time to head back to school. It also means kids are spending more time online prepping for the upcoming school year, finishing summer homework lists and reconnecting with summer friends. Likewise, cybercriminals are online targeting them through e-mail, IM and phishing scams, and even trying to make contact on social networking sites, blogs and chat rooms. What’s a parent to do?

With cybercrime on the rise, recent research shows that 62 percent of moms are just as worried about their teenagers’ online safety as they are about drunk driving. But parents don’t need to worry. Experts at computer security company McAfee have some simple ways to keep kids safe online so parents can have peace of mind.

There’s no free lunch: avoid online “freebies”
Teach your kids to stay away from free downloads like screensavers, surveys and online club registrations. Many of these “freebies,” like games and wallpaper, include hidden spyware and adware programs. These can monitor keystrokes, track Internet logins and transmit confidential information. Educate your kids on safe searching habits and avoiding “free” screensavers, games and wallpaper. Let them know if it’s free, chances are it will cost you.

Lock your valuables: protect against viruses and malware
Some e-mails contain harmful software that can damage your computer or track your Internet activities – all without you knowing. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software as well as a two-way firewall will protect you from inadvertently accepting unwanted files attached to e-mails. The security software scans all communications into your computer, while a firewall protects both the inbound and outbound connection to your computer. A firewall is crucial if you have a broadband or DSL connection that leaves your computer connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.

Hall monitors needed: be aware of all online activities
Help your kids be responsible online by blocking inappropriate sites and preventing risky online activity. The recently released McAfee Family Protection software can act as a “cheat sheet” for parents to monitor their kids’ online and can block inappropriate content, prevent cyber bullying and stop risky interactions on social networking sites. The software also gives you the ability to track online activities, and then use the data to teach your kids safe Internet habits.

Show and tell: educate kids on proper online behavior
As with any academic subject, it’s important to educate your children on potential Internet dangers. From keeping personal information private to downloading safely, keeping up a continuous dialogue with you children about their activities online can help prevent a risky situation. For tips on keeping your computer and kids safe, please visit www.mcafee.com/advice.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Digital learning tools drive student success

Jennifer — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:00:54 +0000

(ARA) – Across the country, colleges and universities are embracing innovative, digital technologies and customized learning platforms to drive academic achievement. While print textbooks remain the foundation of higher education course materials, publishers are creating new digital applications that enable institutions and faculty to become more effective, and engage digital learners to enhance their academic achievement and succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy.

Educational publishers recognize the power of today’s technology and devices like the iPod and Amazon Kindle to adapt to how students learn. They’re studying how students interact with these tools and process information, and how instructors teach, to design new ways to make learning a more effective, efficient, and personalized experience for students.

“By observing thousands of students and their learning styles, we’ve ascertained a great deal about their work habits, study plans, and other learning preferences. This information is being used by today’s publishers to create digital tools to connect students to content on a new level and empower them to succeed,” says Ed Stanford, president of McGraw-Hill Higher Education. “A transformation is occurring on campuses across the country as students embrace technology in every aspect of learning.”

McGraw-Hill’s Connect for example, is a powerful, web-based assessment and learning platform that assists both instructor and student. One feature of Connect can assess a student’s knowledge by delivering appropriate questions at the right time to help them master course content. It’s one more major development in educational technology that is helping students learn more efficiently and achieve greater success academically.

Students studying for midterms and finals now have online tools to test themselves, share notes, and listen online to key concepts from lectures. Digital assessment tools are also becoming mainstream. At some schools, introductory math fail rates are as high as 50 percent due mainly to inaccurate course placement. Today, students who once failed are now succeeding, thanks to an innovative Web-based software system that ensures accurate course placement and can even provide individualized learning plans.

Artificial intelligence now provides the power behind new tutoring software for accounting courses that is proven to increase test scores by at least a full letter grade. Then there’s GradeGuru.com, an online note-sharing Web site for students, which operates as an online study group to help students engage in their coursework.

College courses, departments, and in a few cases entire campuses are experimenting with going digital by replacing print textbooks with eBook versions of course content. EBooks are digital resources that allow students to search, highlight and print content, share notes and create personal study guides directly on their computers, iPods or digital reading devices. Available through online marketplaces like CourseSmart, eBooks truly engage students, making it easier for them to learn and offering cost-savings of almost half the price of print textbooks.

To test this concept, in 2008, more than 500 students at Northwest Missouri State University participated in an eBook trial to investigate the usefulness and efficacy of eBooks compared to traditional print textbooks. Once students learned how to use eBooks and work the technology behind them, they found tremendous value in the convenience and accessibility of digital course content.

Today’s educators and publishers are working together to craft the best learning solutions for colleges and universities. Innovative digital tools are being developed to not only make learning easier and more effective, but most importantly to better prepare students for the world that awaits.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Bluetooth Wireless USB: Look For Speed And Security

Jennifer — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:45:39 +0000

USB has become the current standard as far as connecting devices is concerned and so, if you are someone that tends to spend a lot of time working on your computer you will more than likely find it necessary to use a USB port to remain connected is it with a keyboard or mouse device. It is also believed that, at present, more than two billion users are using USB devices.

Very Popular

The USB first became popular in the year 2000 and since its launch has always been a hit with users. With our greater reliance on computers, it is not hard to figure out why the USB has also become a major part of our computing requirements. A few years after the initial launch of the USB, Bluetooth wireless USB was introduced and it too gained a lot of acceptance and soon became very popular as well.

The main reason why the Bluetooth wireless USB has become so popular is because it has helped to do away with need of connecting devices through use of wires. With no cluttered wires and cables to deal with, users found in the Bluetooth wireless USB an answer to their prayers for uncluttered and convenient connectivity.

Though Americans were the first to sample Bluetooth wireless USB; Europeans and Asians too soon caught the bug and so now such form of USB has become popular throughout the entire world. The only major competition to the Bluetooth wireless USB comes from the wireless USB and therefore, before you choose one option over the other it will pay to know how each differs from the other.

The main difference between wireless and Bluetooth wireless USB is that of speed. Mercifully, you will be able to notice quite a lot of difference in terms of individual speeds between each type of USB with the Bluetooth wireless USB being faster – at least at a distance of up to five meters. However, as distance increases, both types of USBs will become slower; though it must be said that the wireless USB is supposed to be quicker than the Bluetooth wireless USB.

A major drawback to using a Bluetooth wireless USB is that of security and unfortunately these devices are not very secure because their signals can easily be hijacked which is not the case when using a wireless USB.

Another kind of Bluetooth product that can be interesting to use and know more about is the Bluetooth wireless audio adapter, which is made by many leading manufacturers including Sony.

Before you decide on buying a Bluetooth wireless USB makes sure that you know how to handle security issues as well speed issues.

5 Cool Gadgets For Gadget Lovers

Jennifer — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:05:55 +0000

Clocky Alarm Clock

We can find all kinds of gadgets in on/offline stores or some gadget websites. Some are very useful and make gadget lovers happy about it. Most gadgets that we usually call “cool!” make our life easier. I will show you some interesting and cool gadgets that you can use for outdoor activities and parties or even in the morning.

Segway X2 – Enjoy the road less traveled with the Segway x2. It’s rugged, tough, and designed to take you places. With the x2, you can chart your own course. Its innovative design moves you over a variety of terrain, be it the grass in your backyard or the gravel and dirt in your favorite off road spot. Deeply treaded tires, scratch resistant fenders and higher ground clearance give you a smooth, stable ride, and the durability you’ve come to expect. It weighs about 120lb and max. speed is 12.5mph(20Km/h). Cool gadget for outdoor activity lovers.

Digital Photo Frame – An all-in-one multimedia device for those who like the traditional look but expect more features. This digital photo frame offers more capabilities than competitors on the market, without too much complexity. Photo image, mp3 music player, movie player, mobile TV, RSS, Clock & Calendar and even e-book are all included in this device. In addition, it allows you to use Wi-Fi(802.11b/g) feature with touch key and IR remote control.

The operation is very simple: just insert your SD, MMC, MS or XD card, turn it on and you already have everything you need for a slideshow, movie, mp3 music and more!

Personal Alcohol Tester – This portable Breathalyzer clues you in on the exact blood alcohol level in your system. Keeping track of your own inebriation level and that of the folks around you can be the difference between a fun night out and complete disaster. This professional grade breathalyzer gives you results in seconds with the range of 0.00 – 0.19% for blood alcohol content. Simply blow into the front of the device to get a reading. You don’t need to touch your mouth to the device, eliminating bacterial contamination between uses. Friend claiming they’re not drunk? Now you can know for sure exactly how intoxicated they really are.

Vibro Max Speaker – This cool portable speaker makes any flat surface a speaker! Designed to go beyond conventional speaker technology, this portable speaker uses an advance patented electro acoustic technology, projecting audio vibrations on to solid surface to produce sound. Crystal clear sound is produced through hard surface like wood, plastic or glass.

Just simply place this speaker on a desk, plug in an mp3 player and sound will literally emanate from the surface as if it were a giant speaker. It’s every gadget lover’s dream, and audio quality is surprisingly good, particularly now that bass, treble and loudness can be adjusted for different environments. It comes with a handy slim remote control with adjustable bass, treble and volume. Great item for gadget lovers.

Clocky Alarm Clock – Do you have the trouble of waking up on time? This naughty, modern, and lovely alarm clock helps. When it beeps, it will run away and hide till you switch it off. You will find that you are out of bed by that time. Funny and Interesting! When it beeps, the light flashes, and run into different direction: forward, backward, turn-a-round, clockwise, and find a place to hide after 30 sec. And also it keeps on beeping about 9 min or being switched off. This naughty clock will jump from table, desk, or bed onto the floor. So, don’t put it higher than 3 Feet even it is really tough enough.

* To see the pictures of each gadget, click here

*This article has been written by Steve W. Kim of EC21, one of the world’s leading B2B e-marketplace, offers over a million of Global Buyers DB, buying and selling offers in over 4,000 product categories with featured services to global buyers and suppliers.

Use a Bluetooth Cell Phone Review Before You Buy

Jennifer — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:08:13 +0000

Bluetooth technology is truly incredible. Bluetooth is a specification for the use of low-power radio communications to wirelessly link phones, computers and other networks over short distances. This technology was designed to support simple wireless networking of personal consumer devices and other electronics such as cell phones, and has become extremely popular.

Bluetooth networks feature a dynamic topology which is called a piconet or PAN and wireless signals transmitted with Bluetooth cover short distances, typically up to 30 feet.

Bluetooth Cell Phones

You probably have no idea just how important a Bluetooth cell phone review can be. If you have decided to buy a Bluetooth phone, then of course you are going to want to read a Bluetooth cell phone review on any phone you may be considering so that you can get a better idea on the make and model and whether it is going to be the right phone for you.

Reading a Bluetooth cell phone review will be a really great thing, and by reading a Bluetooth cell phone review you will be educating yourself more and this is only going to be to your benefit.

Learn What is Out There

Besides reading a Bluetooth cell phone review, there are a few other steps that you are going to want to take as well in order to ensure that you choose just the right Bluetooth phone.

It is often worth it to go in person to a store when you are going to buy a phone as opposed to shopping online, so that you can speak to a knowledgeable professional who will be able to show you the different models available and help you decide which is going to be best and most suitable for you and your needs.

They will often let you try different models out as well so that you can really get a feel for them and have a better consideration. You want to be able to hold the phone, try the buttons out, check out the different features and functions, and make sure that it is going to offer everything you need to get by.

The price range of these phones will vary quite significantly, and so you are also going to want to have an idea of how much money you have available to spend so that you can stick to this and purchase a phone within your price range. This will also help narrow down your selection dramatically.

Why You Should Buy a Bluetooth Cell Phone

Jennifer — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:21:44 +0000

There are many reasons as to why you should buy a Bluetooth cell phone, and it is important for you to be aware of these reasons before you purchase one for yourself, so that you will understand all the advantages you are going to be offered.

Learning About Bluetooth

First and foremost you should learn more about the Bluetooth technology and all that it has to offer.

Bluetooth technology is relatively new, as it has really only been around for the past couple of years. However it has quickly exploded and more and more people are becoming aware of Bluetooth technology and Bluetooth-enabled devices and their benefits.

The basic purpose behind the development of Bluetooth was to create a single digital wireless protocol, one that was capable of connecting multiple devices and overcoming issues arising from the synchronization of these devices.

Bluetooth networking transmits data via low-power radio waves, and communicates a frequency of 2.45 gigahertz. This frequency band has been set aside by international agreement for the use of industrial, scientific and medical devices.

Bluetooth Cell Phone Benefits

There are quite a few different benefits that should be spoken of here. One of the biggest advantages is that there are no cables and no wires to have to worry about. This offers great ease and convenience for you, and ensures that all your calls are made as easy as possible.

Although the technology is incredibly advanced, the Bluetooth products are very reasonably priced and so everyone can afford them.

Of course, any device capable of incorporating this technology will need to have some sort of general purpose CPU cable to run the lightweight networking and data-link protocols that govern Bluetooth transmission.

By getting yourself a Bluetooth cell phone you will really be benefiting, and your old cell phone will never compare to your Bluetooth cell phone, no matter what model you decide to get.

There are many different Bluetooth cell phone models and Bluetooth accessories that are available, so browse through this extraordinary lineup and find those that are going to suit you and your needs best.

Everyone can benefit from the Bluetooth technology, but it is important that you make sure that you choose the right device for you and your needs. If you need help, there are many professionals out there who will be more than willing and able to help you out. There are enough out there that you will find the right one for you if you take your time.

Different Bluetooth Software To Choose From

Jennifer — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:20:32 +0000

Bluetooth is a protocol used for short distance wireless communication that facilitates the transmission of data between two devices, whether mobile and/or fixed, generating wireless Personal Area Networks (PANs).

This technology uses Bluetooth software to allow any electronic device to connect with as many as seven other electronic devices simultaneously within a range of up to 10 meters or 32 feet.

Such devices includes video game consoles, telephones, mobile phones, personal computers, laptops, digital cameras, GPS receivers and printers. It operates over a secure, globally license free ISM bands of around 2.402 GHz to as high as 2.480 GHz short-range radio frequency bandwidth.

Bluetooth is an alternative to using wires and cables to link electronic devices together. However, it requires Bluetooth adapter, which is a device used to add wireless connectivity.

The following are common Bluetooth software you can choose from:

BlueStack Protocol Software

BlueStack is a configurable and flexible Bluetooth software that is suitable for various applications, which includes PC-based applications, cordless headsets and mobile phones.

BlueSender

It is a Bluetooth advertising software that facilitates the transfer of files from computer to all Bluetooth devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), mobile phones or others within a range of around 30 meters.

LockItNow!

A Bluetooth software that allows your mobile phone to lock and unlock your computer. This software will lock your PC if it detects that you’re no longer by your PC, preventing others from accessing it. It will automatically unlocked itself, when it detects that you have returned to your PC.

BlueXpand

It works through Bluetooth by helping you in managing your files such as videos, photos and music on your handheld devices. BlueXpand works with any known Bluetooth enabled PDA and cell phones that supports File Transfer Profile.

Fexmax

It is a Bluetooth marketing software that is utilize to advertise and promote your organization, your products and services. Using this software, you can send picture, multimedia messages and text over Bluetooth technology to handheld and mobile devices.

Bluetooth Remote Control

It is a Bluetooth software that converts your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone into a universal controller for Window. You can browse or play songs in WinAMP, ITune and Media player or see your Power Point slides directly in the phone.

Mobile Buddy

With this Bluetooth software, you can create your own logos & ringtones for mobile phones. It will transmitted via Bluetooth technology.

Sib Mobile Imager

It will allow you to upload pictures to any mobile phone from your computer. It uses Bluetooth technology. It can also convert pictures to GIF, JPEG, WBMP and BMP format and comes with an image viewer.

Understanding Bluetooth USB

Jennifer — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:37:46 +0000

Bluetooth wireless technology nowadays has become very popular if you are looking for a convenient way to perform short-range communication and connectivity between different electronic devices without the hassle of wires and cables.

The technology has become a globally available standard and easy to use because there’s no need for a driver software to be installed. All you need is a Bluetooth USB in the form of adapters and dongles. They are capable of enabling electronic devices that has a USB port to support the Bluetooth protocol.

Currently, a lot of products are available in the market that supports the Bluetooth technology such as Bluetooth cell phone, wireless technology PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), laptop computers, wireless stereo headset, MP3 players and cell phone headsets.

What Is A Bluetooth USB

USB is short for Universal Serial Bus. It is a hardware interface widely used for attaching peripheral devices. A Bluetooth USB, on the other hand, is a USB that supports the Bluetooth technology.

The use of Bluetooth USB has become popular because it is easy to use and it allows inter-compatibility with practically every computers. It has become increasingly more reliant because it eliminates the use of any cables or wires, making it hassle-free.

All you need is a USB port in order to access the Bluetooth USB in the form of adapters of dongles. The USB port began to appear on computer only in the year 1997 and Windows 98 was the first Windows operating system that supports it. It has replaced the parallel and serial ports on a computer. Furthermore, a minimum of 4 USB ports are a standard on every computer.

The Importance Of Bluetooth Technology

The Bluetooth technology was released a few years subsequent to the initial release of USB. It has grew in popularity since then as it offers computer users a way to connect past electronic devices to the computer without worrying about any tangles usually encountered when using cables or wires.

Advantages Of Using Bluetooth USB

Bluetooth USB permits full synchronization between a personal computer and the address books and calendars in a mobile phone or handheld computer. It also facilitates the connection of up to 7 Bluetooth peripherals within active range.

It incorporates computer and mobile phone technologies offering greater flexibility for voice and messaging communications, which includes the capacity to utilize the computer to obtain and react to text messages sent to a Bluetooth mobile phone.

There has been Bluetooth USB developed to help drivers in having a hands-free mobile phone communication safely and conveniently. They can able to make and receive calls using a cell phone connected to a wireless Bluetooth USB. It will lessen car accidents caused by people attempting to converse on their cell phones while driving.

It will also upgrade the cars audio system by allowing the cell phone to broadcast over any programming, thus preventing the user from missing any important business contact.

We are on the verge of a revolution in connectivity Wireless USB offers the convenience of Bluetooth with the security and seamless integration of current USB technology. In addition, the first release of Wireless USB (aka WUSB) will allow you to use legacy USB devices wirelessly. Here’s how it will work – you will plug a Wireless USB dongle into your desktop or laptop and then plug the Wireless USB hub into an external power supply – this could range from a few feet to several meters away. Then you could plug your USB devices into the Wireless USB hub and use them as if they were attached directly to your computer. This would be especially useful for a printer, scanner or any other device you might want to share with local computers but not necessarily over a network.

Differences between Bluetooth and Wireless USB The most obvious difference between Bluetooth and Wireless USB is the speed – empirically you will generally always see speeds less than 1 Mbps with Bluetooth. Wireless USB, on the other hand, is rated for 480 Mbps at 5 meters. Both technologies are slower at further distances, but Wireless USB should always be faster than Bluetooth. Another obvious difference between Bluetooth and Wireless USB is security – Bluetooth devices are highly susceptible to signal-hijacking wheras the security standard for WUSB is very strict and should result in a much more secure connection – this is very important for any application which may require the transfer of sensitive data or information.

Time frame on Wireless USB Wireless USB dongles and hubs are currently in production and should be available for purchase in the first quarter of 2006. A few manufacturers have already received approval from the FCC and other stanards organizations.