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. [Kensington]
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. [Kensington]
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. [Kensington]
It starts with a case: This week, after one company preemptively announced a sexy MacBook Air sleeve before the Jobsnote, others have followed suit. Not only is there a real Manila folder case in the works, but others, from WaterField to Belkin, are launching their own lineups. Here are Belkin’s first hasty MBA-friendly bags. (They’re pretty, but almost too pretty. Is Belkin saying that the MacBook Air is for girls?) Like I said, the Bandwagonware starts with cases—easiest to fudge—but soon we think we’ll see companies like Belkin, Targus, Kensington, DLO and Griffin popping other goodies, from neon rubber protective skins to any number of competitively priced drives and dongles, just to fit in. [Belkin]
Kensington just dumped a whole host of in-car peripherals. Here’s the lot (all prices quoted in USD.):
• Kensington LiquidAUX for iPhone and iPod ($79.99.) Allows for “superior” sound quality via the auxiliary port, whilst simultaneously charging. Comes with a remote, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.
• Kensington LiquidAUX™ Deluxe for iPhone and iPod ($99.99.) As above, but with cradle and adjustable flexible arm.
• Kensington LiquidAUX™ Bluetooth® Car Kit ($99.99.) Does the same as the above two kits, however, this will allow you to hook up your Bluetooth (A2DP) enabled cellphone instead. Automated music muting and call taking functionality included, as would be expected.
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.
The standard LiquidFM for iPod will cost $79, and will have everything but the QuickSeek and cool text transmitter. (Frankly, I think I’d spend the extra $20—even if you don’t have an RDS radio, you never know if your rental car will, and FM transmitters are best for rentals anyhow.)
Naturally, in addition to the iPod transmitters (which of course charge the players through the 30-pin connector), Kensington has two products for other MP3 players. The LiquidFM Plus for MP3 Players ($69) has both 3.5mm and 2.5mm jacks for recent music-playing cell phones, and the QuickSeek technology for finding the clearest channels. But its extra trick is a “pass-through” USB jack on its cable that can be used to charge your phone or MP3 player.
At the bottom rung, there’s the LiquidFM for MP3 Players ($49), with every Plus feature except the QuickSeek and the USB jack.
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.
Kensington is launching a huge number of products today, starting with its SlimBlade mouse-and-keyboard line. The Media Notebook Set shown in the first gallery uses magnets to hold its individual components together, so you can organize them any way you want. The kit itself comes with number pad, Mac-and-Vista-friendly keyboard and mouse all for $129, and you can add the media remote for $19. The mice, shown in the annotated second gallery after the jump, range in price from $49 to $99 and perform some neat little tricks.
