KoolSpan is offering up an encryption solution for cell phones, PDAs, smartphones and the like for end-to-end security. For mission critical applications, say government or defense contract work, a simple and convenient security system for cell phones is serious business.
KoolSpan has made encrypted cell phones simple. With any device that has microSD support the KoolSpan system will work. The solution is simple – just dial the number. If the other phone is KoolSpan enabled, then both phones automatically go [256bit] secure.
The KoolSpan encryption process is based off their TrustCenter management center. Here administrators can create security groups and permit / deny users based off security clearance protocols. All the necessary authentication keys, identity codes and crypto algorithms are pre-loaded into the KoolSpan TrustChipâ„¢. From that point on, mobile devices find each other through normal phone calls, and then transparently and automatically authenticate and encrypt sessions for secure end-to-end communications.
The KoolSpan encrypted cell phone solution is plug-n-play with the microSD TrustChip with no further configuration required. The TrustChip runs about $300 USD and isn’t clear on whether a monthly service is required.
KoolSpan TrustChip product page.
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So what is the best way to re-format your flash memory card in RAW format?
Unfortunately Windows doesn’t recognize RAW partitions as valid memory…so trying to use Windows utilities just wont work. Windows wont format a card unless it’s in a way that Windows can understand – this would be FAT or FAT32 format for a flash memory card.
Sure, you can use Windows utilities to re-format the RAW card into a FAT or FAT32 format, but keeping your RAW format can only be done one way.
The most common use of RAW is with digital cameras, and with every digital camera you have the option to re-format the card. This is the process you should use. Depending on your camera performance this format process might be quick or might take some time. So be prepaired.
Most cameras will recognize a flash memory card that is FAT, FAT32 or RAW format so you should be fine regardless of the re-format you just [accidentily] performed!
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The SonyMini VAIO is getting a flash memory upgrade to 32GB which means (obviously) more storage, but more importantly faster boot times and energy savings as flash memory takes less power then a spinning disk hard drive.
Some other shinning features of the Sony Mini VAIO are wireless LAN & WAN, 4.5inch touch-screen, sliding keyboard and Windows Vista Basic. As being the first flash memory based VAIO the price tag comes in just at $2,500 USD – WOW.
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Today SanDisk announced their largest Memory Stick Micro card the M2. At convenient 4GBs it’s the largest flash memory card for any mobile phone. The M2 was designed, in partnership, with Sony and their line of Ericsson mobile phones.
Norm Frentz, director of marketing believes, “this is the threshold at which mobile phones provide enough capacity to become the user’s all-in-one portable music player, camcorder, photo album and video player.â€
And I for one believe him. At 4GBs you can do just about anything and carry just about anything you could imagine.
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So it appears Toshiba and Oakley have teamed together to bundle one hell of a cell phone package. Take the Toshiba 911T multimedia slider cell phone and integrate Softbank’s OS for Bluetooth communication with Oakley glasses, this is what you get.
Digital TV, 3.2pm anti-shake camera with auto-focus, 3 inch wide VGA screen (480×480) MicroSD slot for another 2GB of storage on-top of the already liberal 1GB of internal storage and MS office reader for docs, pdfs etc. Thanks Toshiba! BUT, I don’t know what looks more ridiculous, sunglasses with earphones hanging down, or sunglass with a Bluetooth headset off on one ear. You decide.
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SanDisk announced today a massive 12GB microSDHC card which is 50% larger in storage capacity than it’s previous model (8GB).
So what does this mean? It means our mobile devices are getting one step closer to becoming a storage medium for all sorts of data, phone related or not. From MP3 files, video and data files … with 12GB of flash memory, quit a lot can fit. To put things into perspective, the microSDHC can hold [about] 1,500 MP3 songs, 3,600 photos and 24.5 hours of video.
If you haven’t used or seen a microSDHC card, make sure you stop off at your local computer store and take a look. The size is incredibly small. About the size of your pinky fingernail.
Some background info: The SDHC format applies to SD flash memory which is larger than 2GB is storage space. The new 12GB microSDHC card conforms to the SD 2.00 specification and has the theoretical maximum storage capacity of 32GB.
On a closing note, the new SanDisk microSDHC card has a transfer speed compatible with the Class 4 specification. Too geeky for ya – let me sum it up:
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So you drop $1,200 on a Nikon digital SLR camera, buy vacation airline tickets to Hawaii and now want a water tight case for underwater picture taking. Well, save that large roll of cash and purchase the Liquid Image, 5 megapixel underwater scuba mask. Slap in some microSD memory and you’re set for more pictures than your air tanks can hold.
New this year at CES is the Liquid Image underwater scuba mask. The small digital lens/camera can take still pictures or record video at VGA quality with either a 5 MP or 3.1 MP lens. The $99 price point is for the 5 MP version.
Take a close look at the diagram above and you’ll see a AAA battery pack, small storage area, shutter select option, cross hairs for centering and position of the lens along with microSD port & USB port for storing additional images or downloading what you have to PC.
The underwater scuba mask does look bulky but I personally think this is a great alternative to underwater cameras.
Shiro VE is a personal video player with some nice lines and curves. Large 2.4 display with MicroSD slot and 4GB of internal memory. PC interface is USB and plays a limited WMV and AVI files along with limited JPEG and BMP picture files. But as will all things gadget these days you can bank on the voice recorder and FM radio.
Two other models also available the Shiro MK and Shiro ME. If only the girl came with it. She looks clueless, perfect.
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I thought I’d hit my wish list today, and also return to the audio end of the creative spectrum, as it has been a while since we last visited our ears.
One of the biggest screw ups in A/V production is bad sound, so getting the best possible field source will make a massive difference to a production. And this shouldn’t be just lip service! Get out there and do it right! You really will be happy you did.
To get a taste of just how good it can get, I’m highlighting the Aaton Cantar-X: truly the Ferrari of field recording, and it has a price to match.
This is a weather proofed unit featuring twin batteries you can rotate for unceasing record times, with a 127GB HDD plus an internal CD-R/DVD+R burner. The Cantar-X will give you up to 8 tracks simultaneous recording with individual control across up to 6 of them. Firewire connectivity will even let it record direct to your computer hard drive if you have it handy. And if the hard drive just isn’t enough, it also supports flash memory.All the specs on this amazing piece of hardware are right here. Drooling over the attention to detail in engineering this product could be a hobby.
If you have a spare $20,000 floating around (actually, more than that — but if you have $20k spare, you probably have a bit more), then one of these gorgeous babies can be yours.
Australian’s should get in touch with LEMAC for information on buying this or many other pieces of high-end creative kit.
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In the US many states are adopting a no-cell phone road policy to help reduce driving accidents. Well, to fly in the face of that effort is the BlueTraks BT-211, a device that helps communicate in a hands-free environment.
Conceptually, it’s a good idea but it also interfaces with your iPod making it simple to view video while driving. Just what we need, loading up The Office re-runs while driving at 75mph. Although in Los Angeles, where I am, it’s really only 15mph about 99% of the time, so maybe the BlueTraks BT-211 isn’t that bad after all.
SanDisk announced today a massive 12GB microSDHC card which is 50% larger in storage capacity than it’s previous model (8GB).
So what does this mean? It means our mobile devices are getting one step closer to becoming a storage medium for all sorts of data, phone related or not. From MP3 files, video and data files … with 12GB of flash memory, quit a lot can fit. To put things into perspective, the microSDHC can hold [about] 1,500 MP3 songs, 3,600 photos and 24.5 hours of video.
If you haven’t used or seen a microSDHC card, make sure you stop off at your local computer store and take a look. The size is incredibly small. About the size of your pinky fingernail.
Some background info: The SDHC format applies to SD flash memory which is larger than 2GB is storage space. The new 12GB microSDHC card conforms to the SD 2.00 specification and has the theoretical maximum storage capacity of 32GB.
On a closing note, the new SanDisk microSDHC card has a transfer speed compatible with the Class 4 specification. Too geeky for ya – let me sum it up:
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