You see, in order to supply the full 900mA for each port you will need weigh yourself down with the optional AC adapter when out and about. Plus, the whole thing is so damned bulky in general that you are liable to break it sooner or later. At least StarTech is offering a lifetime warranty on it. Of course, with a product like this, StarTech probably won't be around long enough for you to get your $50 worth. [StarTech via EverythingUSB via Ubergizmo]

The new ExpressCard 2.0 will work with all existing ExpressCard technology, which can be found in most laptops. The new standard will be especially helpful for the transfer of large chunks of data, such as video. In any case, expect to see some new ExpressCard accessories soon, although new Mac owners need not apply. [ExpressCard via SlashGear via Wired]

With data speeds of up to 3.1Mbps (download) and 1.8Mbps (upload), this card also uses TRU-Locate GPS technology for location based services including local searches and navigation. Although it is not the first two-in-one broadband adapter, it is the first of its kind from Sierra Wireless. It's also durably built with higher file-transfer speeds, and it seems to be the only one without a chunky adapter, giving it a low profile and making you look less geeky. [Product Page via ExpressCard-Info via Engadget]

As the steady increase of integrated laptop features renders expansion ports like ExpressCard less and less relevant, only their most practical applications survive. This is definitely one of them. In both 64GB and 128GB varieties, the Pretec ExpressCard SSDs offer hardware AES256 encryption, near-flush integration with whatever host machine they're connected to and an additional mini USB connector for non-slotted machines. Pretec hasn't priced the units yet, but I don't expect they'll come cheap. [ExpressCard Info]

CeBit 2008 - Village Tronic will show ViDock Gfx, an extraordinary graphics docking solution for portable computers. Hanover, March 4th 2008 - Village Tronic is proud to announce during the CeBit fair will that ViDock Gfx, the first product of a new family of graphics docking solutions for notebooks, will begin delivery early in Q2 this year. The ViDock family of graphics docking solutions is aimed at the professional user that wants to use a single portable computer both on the road and with a large display area made up of multiple screens in the office. ViDock Gfx allows IT managers and finance professionals to view large quantities of data across multiple screens. Creative professionals can take advantage of ViDock's powerful multi-display support to experience the final work on one screen while viewing edit commands on another. Home users and gamers can use ViDock to turn their notebook into a high performance graphics platform, with full HDTV support. ViDock Gfx takes advantage of the fast connection offered by ExpressCard technology, the latest standard from PCMCIA for notebook expansion, to deliver an uncompromised user experience in term of speed, responsiveness, 3D acceleration and resolution support. Combined with DVI Dual Link and Dual DVI video output, all the displays currently in the market can be supported, including the 30" ones at 2560x1600. The operating system compatibility ensures support for Windows Vista, Windows XP and Mac OS X. Aero accelerated user interface for Vista is supported. ViDock will be on the market bundled with the valuable software application "VTMultiDisplay" that improves the user experience when working with multiple screens. Village Tronic is an international, Multi-Display company and since 1996 is the world market leader for independent graphics cards for Motorola based Work Stations. In 2004 Village Tronic ignited the Multi-Display-Revolution for Notebook workstations with the introduction of VTBook for the Windows, Macintosh & Linux platforms. For further information about Village Tronic and its products, please visit the company's web site: http://www.villagetronic.com. EMail: press@villagetronic.com

[Village Tronic via Impress]

Sunrich Technology's ExpressCard Solid State Drive

Sunnyvale, Ca - (Business Wire) - Dec 28, 2007 Sunrich Technology is a leading manufacturer of I/O Connectivity and Storage products for consumer and business professionals.

The Sunrich Technology ExpressCard Solid State Drive (SSD) offers a reliable low-power, ease of use solution for customers who need to add high performance and high capacity plug-in storage to their laptop or notebook computers. The card fits easily into the ExpressCard slot of newer laptop or notebook computers and delivers extra removable memory storage and reliable data backups.

Key Benefits:

* High performance plug-in storage
* Large memory capacity:
Available in 4, 8, 16, and 32GB for MLC
(Multi-Level Cell) Flash
Available in 4, 8, and 16GB for SLC ( Single-Level Cell) flash
* Easy installation with full Plug-n-Play
* Works with Windows ReadyBoost to improve system performance
* Compact ExpressCard / 34 form factor is completely concealed in ExpressCard slot
* Low power consumption reduces battery drainage on laptop or notebook computers
* Supports Windows Vista

Sunrich Technology is now taking production orders for the Solid State ExpressCard.

Instead of using an external hub, this ExpressCard slides into your computer and gives you four extra ports before you can say "Hmmm, I'm out of USB ports for this humping dog."

The hub can actually be powered by an external AC adapter—which they brilliantly enough don't include—so you're going to have to fetch one yourself. The only downside is that the adapter doesn't "lock" into the ExpressCard slot, which means all your USB junk will be disconnected if you accidentally bump into it. – Jason Chen

Dragon Steel Mods [via Everything USB]

Pricing? The ExpressCard will be $49.99 with a two-year, but the USB'ed 875 has no pricing yet (it launches in May). Happy surfing. – Jason Chen

Press Release [PRNewswire via Crunchgear]

Unfortunately, I found write performance to be a lot lower than I'd have liked.

It read a fair 15MB per second on several machines, confirmed using both synthetic and MP3 file copies. But only wrote at 3MB per second.

For comparison, the laptop drive in the DV9000 HP Pavilion churned about 30MB per second in both reads and writes, and the Lexar Lightning, the fastest USB drive I had on hand, scored 17MB and 14MB per seconds in reads/writes.

In a nutshell, write speeds really need to be much better before I can recommend it.

–Brian Lam

Home Page [Lexar]

Product Page [via EVDO Info]

The eFilm ExpressCard 34 is the more versatile of the two, accommodating Secure Digital, SDHC, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD memory cards, and it's available now, retailing for $59.99.

The eFilm ExpressCard 54 CompactFlash adapter is unique because it's the first UDMA (also known as Ultra ATA) -compliant adapter, giving you transfers that the company says can reach speeds of over 17MB per second. No pricing or availability was announced for that one yet. – Charlie White

Product Page [Delkin Devices, via DP Review]

Press Release [Gizmodo]

D-Link DWA-643 Xtreme N Notebook ExpressCard USA Bound [Mobile Whack]

Option GlobeTrotter Express 7.2 [via Electronista]

The dock itself provides expandable video output through VGA or DVI, 5.1 surround-sound, five USB ports and a 10/100 Ethernet port. The dock will be available in late November for $200. Jump to see a picture of its beautiful ass.

– Travis Hudson

Press Release [Belkin]

The card will be available August 24th, starting at $179 with a two year agreement and $229 for a one year agreement. There should probably be OS X along with Windows drivers, seeing as the USB version from Novatel included OS X drivers. That means MacBook Pro users will most likely have no problem with getting their EV-DO action going to browse Gizmodo while driving. – Jason Chen

Verizon Wireless ships ExpressCard style EV-DO card [MobileTracker]

So Apple goes and says that the new MacBook Pro is going to have an ExpressCard slot. So of course all the PC Card manufacturers will chant Apple's name and will start releasing more and more ExpressCards, especially since Dell and HP plan to incorporate ExpressCard slots in their laptops soon. This is the first ExpressCard we've heard of being released so far and it's a card reader from Buffalo. MMC, SD, and Memory Stick Pro and Duo are covered by the Buffalo MCR-4/EX card reader. Just plug it into your MacBook Pro and you'll be good to go with loading up iPhoto with pictures. Don't forget the benefit of a higher transfer rate, too! It's available now for only $26, which is chump change if you shelled out $2500 for the new MacBook Pro high-end model!

Memory card reader for ExpressCard [Akihabara]