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Kensington's Wireless USB Docking Station Is the World's First, Supports Five Devices and DVI Monitor
Posted by Jason Chen at 4:40 AM on August 19, 2008
Kensington's just released the world's first Wireless USB universal docking station, conveniently named the Wireless USB Docking Station. The thing suppports five USB devices as well as a DVI monitor, which can then be "attached" wirelessly to your notebook whenever it comes into range. Speaker ports round out the solution, and the whole thing is compatible with any Wireless USB notebook brands. You'll be able to pay US$230 for one at the end of the month at Dell and Kensington. Is the convenience of not having to plug in five USB devices (or one, if you have a USB hub), a monitor and a speaker every time you sit down worth $230? We say yes. [Kensington]
The ShareCentral is a 5-port USB hub that allows two computers to share USB devices without a network. Just plug the devices in the US$80 hub, plug the hub into both computers, and you can use your mouse, keyboard, hard drive or whatever on either computer with the flick of a switch. Best of all, it knows which computer is trying to print and automatically swtiches the printer to that machine, like a network device. It also comes in 1- and 2-port varieties, US$40 and US$60 respectively, full release after the jump. [
The SlimBlade presenter mouse is a Bluetooth device with a very smart feature—when your computer goes to sleep, the SlimBlade saves power by going to sleep too. It also does double duty, flipping between laser mouse and handheld presenter with a double-click. It runs for three months on two AAs, costs US$60 and is out now, press release below. [
The Gadget: Kensington Ci70 compact keyboard with two USB ports and one mini USB cable for easy docking and syncing.
We love Kensington's low-profile keyboards with the laptop style keys, which is why this Ci70 keyboard looks so appetising. It's got two USB ports, nothing special, but a mini USB connector that actually hides underneath a cover on top. So to recap, two USB ports, one mini USB cord, really low/quiet style Kensington keys, 35% smaller than other "standard multimedia keyboards" and a price of US$49.99. Works with both PCs and Macs thanks to it having both a Windows key and a Mac Command key. [
It starts with a case: This week, after one company preemptively announced a 
Kensington just dumped a whole host of in-car peripherals. Here's the lot (all prices quoted in USD.):
Kensington's new $139 sd200v is a single hub that can manage your keyboard, mouse, printer and iPod, plus speakers, microphone and even a VGA monitor, all tied to your laptop by a single USB hub. The catch is that the DualView DisplayLink USB video connection is Windows-only, and it's not likely to be high on performance. Still, only having to unplug one cable when you're on the go is a huge boon.
Today Kensington introduced its LiquidFM line of FM transmitters. The top tier products have QuickSeek, the technology the company first launched in May: with the touch of a button, it will find the three cleanest frequencies for you to set your radio on. The LiquidFM Deluxe for iPod ($99) will not only transmit the music to your car stereo, but the artist and track names, which show up on any RDS-compatible car radio.
Today Kensington introduces several new power products to its Power It lineup, including a new Portable Power Pack for Mobile Devices ($59), Wall Ultra Portable Notebook Adapter, Wall/Auto/Air Ultra Portable Notebook Adapter ($139, with plenty of tips to fit most Windows laptops), and the awesome Auto Power Inverter with USB port for car lighter jacks ($39). Plug anything into your lighter, no other fancy adaptor needed, and you're golden: it has auto shut-off so it won't drain your car's battery, and its circuitry will protect your devices from a bad automotive electrical system.
