Gizmodo: Kensington

Kensington's Wireless USB Docking Station Is the World's First, Supports Five Devices and DVI Monitor

Jason Chen — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:40:00 EDT

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 $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]

Kensington ShareCentral Spreads USB Love Between Two Computers

Benny Goldman — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT

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 $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 switches the printer to that machine, like a network device. It also comes in 1- and 2-port varieties, $40 and $60 respectively, full release after the jump. [Kensington]

Kensington® ShareCentral(TM) Brings Greater Convenience and Ease to
Home Computing Shared Tasks
Innovative Device Lets Families Share Projects among Computers
and USB Peripherals – With Just the Press of a Button

Redwood Shores, Calif. – June 16, 2008 – Kensington Computer Products Group, a worldwide leader in delivering smart made simple(TM) computing accessories for the mobile consumer, today announced ShareCentral, an innovative USB peripheral sharing device for the home that lets family members instantly and effortlessly share up to five USB peripheral devices between any two computers with an easy press of a button. ShareCentral brings the cords and cables of external devices into one small, attractive desktop or wall mounted unit, allowing people to share their choice of peripherals and content in one easy fingertip motion, with no network required.

Recent Kensington research conducted by Markettools showed that more than 40% of households have 3 – 4 computers in their home belonging to different family members. A full 70% of these households have a dedicated computing space equipped with a stationary computer, as well as a variety of peripherals, that are shared by the whole family. These multiple-computer families have a screaming need to be able to easily share access to the peripherals they use the most including printers (50%), scanners (30%) and external disks drives (22%) so they can turn work, homework, photos and music gathered on notebooks, flash drives and iPod music players into polished, finished work meant for sharing with others.

"ShareCentral is a great example of our smart made simple design philosophy," said Frederic Frappereau, Global Product Marketing Manager at Kensington. "Everyone is mobile. Then they bring the day's data, photos and music back to one shared, usually cramped, home computing center which the entire family needs to access in those few hours between dinnertime and bedtime. Up until now, they spent that precious time switching out cords and cables to connect their computers to their peripherals. Now with ShareCentral, they can focus on sharing the content, to produce creative results of which they all can be proud."

Key features include

• Share up to five different USB peripherals – Instantly share access to multiple USB peripherals between two computers at the press of a button. Users gain instant access to their USB peripherals by plugging one simple USB cable into their computers. LED lights on the product indicate which computer has access.
• Easy to set up, simple and straightforward – ShareCentral is easy to set up and easy to use with no network or software required. Plug–n–play right out of the box!
• No more cord clutter – ShareCentral eliminates cable mess by connecting device cables into a central desktop unit; also wall mountable.
• Easy printer sharing –Simply press a button to switch the USB printer from one computer to another. ShareCentral 2 and ShareCentral 5 Automatic Print Sharing will detect and automatically switch to the computer that is trying to print, conveniently eliminating the need for any buttons to be pressed (available for Windows® XP and Windows Vista®).
• Adaptable and personal – All USB ports are independently controlled by a button and assignable to either computer. Each button comes with interchangeable magnetic keycaps for personalization to user's device and specifications.

The ShareCentral Collection

ShareCentral 5 (SKU K33901US) – No more plugging and unplugging computer devices. With Kensington ShareCentral 5, two computers can share a printer, hard drive, scanner—up to any five USB peripherals – and switch between them with the touch of a button. Suggested Retail Price $79.99

ShareCentral 2 (SKU K33900US) – With the Kensington ShareCentral 2, two computers can share a printer, hard drive, scanner—any two USB devices. Suggested Retail Price $59.99

ShareCentral 1 (SKU K33903US) – With the Kensington ShareCentral 1, two computers can share a printer or any USB device. Suggested Retail Price $39.99

The Kensington ShareCentral Collection is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com and Kensington.com and will be available at major retailers at the end of the month.

Kensington SlimBlade Presenter Mouse Sleeps with Your Computer

Benny Goldman — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EDT

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 $60 and is out now, press release below. [Kensington]

Kensington Announces Ultimate in Mouse Mobility and Flexibility for School, Work or Play
Two New smart made simple(TM) Wireless Designs Help Lighten the Load on Any Road

Redwood Shores, Calif. – June 16, 2008 – Kensington Computer Products Group, a worldwide leader in delivering smart made simple computing accessories for the mobile consumer, today announced two innovative new wireless mice that help simplify school and business travel whether across the campus or across the globe. The versatile SlimBlade(TM) Bluetooth® Presenter Mouse combines the power of two devices into one, while following the notebook's sleep and wake modes so a user never has to turn it on or off again. The ultra-portable Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver offers instant connectivity, so it's always ready to spring into action.

The SlimBlade Bluetooth Presenter Mouse gives students and mobile professionals a compelling reason to jump on the growing Bluetooth bandwagon. People know the Bluetooth technology primarily from their cellular phone experience. But now that more notebooks are equipped with Bluetooth capabilities, Kensington and its smart made simple design philosophy is helping users benefit from that. The sleek SlimBlade Bluetooth Presenter Mouse gives users all the advantage of a full-function laser mouse for the ultimate in precision, responsiveness and tracking ability while saving a precious USB port for other devices. It also saves school and travel bag space by doubling as a meeting or classroom presenter. A simple double-click easily toggles between the two functions.

The ultra-portable Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver offers "always on" instant connectivity that users can depend on for maximum working flexibility as they move around campus or around town. The 'plug and stay' nano receiver is so small that it can stay plugged in, so users never need to dig through their bags again, searching for their receiver. Its ultra-thin design, rubberized non-slip grip and 2.4 Ghz frequency make it a rugged and reliable traveling companion.

"Many people prefer using a mouse than a notebook touchpad," said Bill Rathbone, Senior Global Product Manager, Kensington, "and our new mice make it easier than ever for them to enjoy the extra comfort whenever they are on the move. Our smart made simple designs provide control, comfort, and peace of mind. They're optimized for the rigors of travel and are always ready to use. The great-looking Ci95 mouse offers the "plug and stay" convenience of a nano receiver at an affordable price. And we're especially proud to offer a Bluetooth mouse and presenter in one. Bluetooth is increasingly popular in notebook computers but few input devices take advantage of it. We have entered this market with a highly flexible, dual purpose device and plan to add even more consumer choices as we go along."

Key features of the Kensington SlimBlade Bluetooth Presenter Mouse

• Bluetooth connection frees up your USB port for other use – no receiver required
• Switches easily from mouse to presenter at the touch of a button, so you can give your presentations in style
• The ultimate in precision, responsiveness and tracking ability with the full-featured laser mouse
• Ultra-thin design fits great in your hand and slips easily into a pocket or travel bag
• Automatic sleep mode when your notebook sleeps – no need to ever turn it on or off

Key features of the Kensington Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver

• Plug-and-stay nano receiver is so small you plug it in once and leave it in
• Rugged, ultra-thin design withstands whatever the road dishes out, yet travels easily and fits great into your hand
• 2.4 Ghz wireless for reliable performance in any environment
• Rubberized exterior for a non-slip grip

Product Availability
The Kensington SlimBlade Bluetooth Presenter Mouse (SKU K72330US) at a suggested retail price of $59.99 and the Kensington Ci95m Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver (SKU K72328US) at a suggested retail price of $39.99 are available at Amazon.com, Kensington.com and major retailers.
For additional information on the new and existing line of Kensington products, please visit www.kensington.com.

Lightning Review: Kensington Ci70 Keyboard With Built-in Mini USB Cable

Jason Chen — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:45:00 EDT

The Gadget: Kensington Ci70 compact keyboard with two USB ports and one mini USB cable for easy docking and syncing.

The Price: $49.99

The Verdict: The Ci70 is a good typer, but you'll want this for the mini USB convenience. If you're a person that often syncs your digital cameras, smartphones or portable hard drives to your PC, you probably have a lot of mini USB cables. The Ci70 lets you ditch all those cables and just use one embedded into a slideable, hidden compartment that you can never lose. Ultra convenient.

The keys feel very much like the Kensington Slim Type Keyboard, but this time has both the Windows key and the Apple Command key on one unit instead of making two separate models for each type of machine. It's also fairly quiet and has laptop-ish (scissor switch) keys.

The only complaint we have are because of its slightly condensed size (Kensington says it's 35% "smaller"), which, like the Kensington Slim Types, place the Home/Page Up/Page Down/End keys vertically to the right of the Enter key. The same scrunched design also make the arrow keys smaller than usual and harder to hit. Other than these fairly minor issues, it's a pleasure to type on and almost ranks as high as Apple's aluminum keyboards in our book.

At $49.99, the Ci70 is a great keyboard for people who are looking for a quiet, soft typing experience and the convenience of not having to dig around for a mini USB cable. [Kensington]

Kensington Ci70 Keyboard Has USB/Mini USB Ports and Laptop-Styled Keys

Jason Chen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:40:00 EDT

We love Kensington's low-profile keyboards with the laptop style keys, which is why this Ci70 keyboard looks so appetizing. 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 $49.99. Works with both PCs and Macs thanks to it having both a Windows key and a Mac Command key. [Kensington]

Stuart Ashen Reviews Vii, the Nintendo Wii Knockoff

Jason Chen — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:00:50 EST

Stuart Ashen of Stuart Ashen reviews lousy gadget fame just reviewed the KenSingTon Vii, which has nothing to do with Kensington and nothing to do with the Wii. Intrigued? So are we. Watch as he shows off the Super Nintendo-esque 2D graphics as well as the surprisingly Wii-like 3D graphics. The developer actually did slightly more than a half-assed job on this—it's at least a three-fourths assed job. And if you're still interested in the Vii after watching, Ashen's got a separate review of additional games that come with the console after the jump.

From Rumorware to Bandwagonware: Here Come the MacBook Air Accessories

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:43 EST

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 Intros LiquidAUX Range of In-Car Peripherals

Haroon Malik — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:00:00 EST

Kensington just dumped a whole host of in-car peripherals. Here's the lot:

• 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 Car Charger Deluxe for iPhone and iPod ($49.99.) Cradle that includes adjustable arm, but without the music via auxiliary output. Basically a glorified charger/cradle. Pricey.

• Kensington Bluetooth® Stereo Headphones with Microphone ($79.99.) As the name suggests, these will be your stock Bluetooth headphones, compatible with A2DP, but also incorporating a microphone. Can be used as a standard Skype headset.

For the entire press release, check below:

The LiquidAUX Collection from Kensington Includes:

Kensington LiquidAUX™ for iPhone and iPod (K33429US): Get superior sound quality from a simple
auxiliary port connection and charge your iPhone or iPod at the same time. The wireless remote ensures
that your hands never have to leave the steering wheel. A smart audio sensor turns off the device to
conserve car battery power. Designed for vehicles with auxiliary ports in the center console. Suggested
retail price: $79.99.

Kensington LiquidAUX™ Deluxe for iPhone and iPod (K33430US): Control your music with the
wireless remote and give your iPhone or iPod a home in the car with our adjustable cradle. A flexible arm
allows you to maneuver it to your hearts desire while an auxiliary port connection ensures pure sound
quality from your iPod. Designed specifically for vehicles with in-dash auxiliary ports. Suggested retail
price: $99.99.

Kensington LiquidAUX™ Bluetooth® Car Kit (K33428US): Enjoy hands-free calling and crystal-
clear music¹ from your music phone through your car's stereo. Bluetooth 2.0 technology with enhanced
data rate, a built-in microphone with noise and echo-canceling technology makes for clear conversations
on the road. Simply press the phone icon on the remote to automatically mute your music and take a call
over your car's stereo. Or, use your phone's supported voice activation to make calls without ever
accessing it directly. A USB charging port ensures that your phone stays charged. This is the ideal
alternative to installing Bluetooth in your car. Suggested retail price: $99.99.

¹A2DP protocol required for wireless music streaming

Kensington Car Charger Deluxe for iPhone and iPod (K33433US): The adjustable dock adapts to
securely fit an iPod or iPhone with or without a case, while a flexible arm adjusts to ensure the optimal
position. Put your iPhone in speaker mode and now you've got a hands-free cradle. Charges iPod models
with dock connector² and iPhone. Suggested retail price: $49.99

²Exluding 3rd Generation iPod

Kensington Bluetooth® Stereo Headphones with Microphone (K33436US): A comfortable behind-
the-head design offers a stylish way to listen to music or conversations, while Bluetooth technology
provides the freedom of wireless compatibility with music phones or notebooks. Easy-to-access buttons

on the headphones control audio playback and volume while also allowing users to answer calls with the
push of a button. Skype® compatible. Suggested retail price: $79.99.

Product Availability
The new Kensington Play it line is available for pre-order at Amazon.com and Kensington.com and will
be available at other major retailers in March 2008.

Kensington Introduces sd200v Video USB Dock and Other Notebook Accessories

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:20:06 EDT

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 cable. 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.

At the same time, Kensington has introduced two notebook stands: one with the remarkably descriptive name Notebook Stand with USB Hub ($79), and the other, the slightly cooler Easy Riser Cooling Notebook Stand ($29), both below.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

'Connect it' Notebook Accessories: Productivity Made Simple
Kensington is also announcing additions to its "Connect It" line of notebook accessories, designed to create more room on the consumer's desktop and enhance overall notebook usage. The sd200v Notebook Docking Station with Video lets consumers connect all their peripherals to any notebook with a single USB connection, and built-in DualView technology lets them use an external monitor to display or extend the notebook's virtual desktop with the simple push of a button—doubling the amount of screen space and dramatically improving user productivity. The two notebook stands, which round out the new line, feature Kensington's SmartFit adjustment system, allowing users to achieve an optimal monitor height in seconds. The Easy Riser Cooling Notebook Stand elevates notebooks to dissipate heat, while the Notebook Stand with USB Hub attaches to any notebook to create a desktop workstation.

The additions to the Kensington "Connect It" line of notebook accessories include the sd200v Notebook Docking Station with Video (SKU K33415), Notebook Stand with USB Hub (SKU K60723) and Easy Riser Cooling Notebook Stand (SKU K60112).

Kensington LiquidFM Transmitters Seek Clearest Channels, Transmit Track Names and More

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:10:55 EDT

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.

From the fact sheet:

Kensington LiquidFM(TM) Deluxe for iPod® (SKU K33424US):
The ultimate iPod FM transmitter for playing your tunes through your car stereo, the LiquidFM Deluxe for iPod features a unique design and premium features, as well as superior sound quality. Suggested retail price: $99.99.
• ClearFM technology provides superior audio
• QuickSeek technology finds the clearest station in seconds
• Displays song and artist name on your car stereo (The feature for displaying the song and artist names requires an RDS-enabled stereo. RDS is available in various vehicle models offered by leading manufacturers.)
• Charges your iPod while it plays
• 3 station presets for instant tuning to any FM station (88.1 - 107.9)
• On/off switch avoids car battery drain
• Enhanced custom digital LCD screen for easy viewing

Kensington LiquidFM(TM) for iPod® (SKU K33411US):
We've taken the industry's most popular digital FM transmitter and made it even better so you can enjoy superior sound while you listen to your iPod tunes in your car. Suggested retail price: $79.99.
• ClearFM technology provides superior audio
• Charges your iPod while it plays
• 3 station presets for instant tuning to any FM station (88.1-107.9)
• On/off switch avoids car battery drain
• Enhanced custom digital LCD screen for easy viewing

Kensington LiquidFM(TM) Plus for MP3 Players (SKU K33408US):
The LiquidFM Plus is the ideal FM transmitter to let you enjoy your favorite MP3 songs while you drive. Its unique set of features makes it the perfect travel companion for your MP3 player or MP3 cell phone. Suggested retail price: $69.99.
• ClearFM technology provides superior audio
• QuickSeek technology finds the clearest station in seconds
• USB pass-through charges your MP3 player or any USB-powered device (cable sold separately)
• 3.5 mm connector for all MP3 players, plus a 2.5 mm adapter for MP3 cell phone compatibility
• 3 station presets for instant tuning to any FM station (88.1-107.9)
• On/off switch avoids car battery drain
• Enhanced custom digital LCD screen for easy viewing

Kensington LiquidFM(TM) for MP3 Players (SKU K33383USA):
The LiquidFM for MP3 players features our ClearFM technology to reduce noise and enhance stereo separation, providing superior audio quality and FM reception. Suggested retail price: $49.99.
• ClearFM technology provides superior audio
• 3.5 mm connector for all MP3 players, plus a 2.5 mm adapter for MP3 cell phone compatibility
• 3 station presets for instant tuning to any FM station (88.1-107.9)
• Digital LCD screen for easy viewing

The Kensington LiquidFM(TM) Deluxe for iPod (SKU K33424US), LiquidFM for iPod (SKU K33411US), LiquidFM Plus for MP3 Players (SKU K33408US) and LiquidFM for MP3 Players (SKU K33383US) will be available for pre-order at Amazon.com and Kensington.com starting September 17, 2007 and at major retailers including Apple stores, Best Buy, Circuit City, Comp USA, Dell and Fry's, starting in late September.

Kensington Power It Auto Inverter Turns Your 12V Cig Lighter Into a Grounded Socket (Plus Four Other Power Products)

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:25:01 EDT

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 ($119), Wall/Auto/Air Ultra Portable Notebook Adapter ($139, with plenty of tips to fit most Windows laptops, but not Apple's proprietary MagSafe connector), and the awesome Auto Power Inverter with USB port for car lighter jacks ($39). Plug anything into your lighter, no other fancy adapter 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.

The Mobile Power Pack, above, takes two hours to charge up, and has a USB jack so you can plug in any proprietary USB phone or PDA connector. It is, according to Kensington, the only UL-approved portable battery pack of its kind.

From the press release:

Expanded 'Power it' Line: Thin and Light on the Go

The newest additions to Kensington's industry-leading line of power products enable mobile professionals to get reliable power wherever they are. The new rechargeable power pack and two power adapters are thin and light, while an updated power inverter shares a compact design optimized for travel. All products feature USB connectivity to USB-powered devices like the RIM® Blackberry, Palm® Treo and Motorola® RAZR. The collection lets users select from solutions that work at home, in the car or on the plane—making it easy and convenient to power notebook PCs, mobile phones and USB devices on the go.

The Kensington "Power It" line additions include the Auto Power Inverter with USB Power Port (SKU K38022), Portable Power Pack for Mobile Devices (SKU K38021), Wall Ultra Portable Notebook Power Adapter (SKU K33336) and Wall/Auto/Air Ultra Portable Notebook Power Adapter (SKU K33197).

Product Availability

The new Kensington products will be available for pre-order at Amazon.com and Kensington.com starting on September 17, 2007, and at other major retailers in late September.

Kensington Rolls Out Modular SlimBlade Media Notebook Set and Four Sleek SlimBlade Mice

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:58:23 EDT

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.

Below are shots I took of the SlimBlade mice, accompanied by their blurbs from the press materials. Keep a look out especially for the combo trackball mouse, which changes from a laser mouse to a stationary trackball in a quick double click.
I love the new lineup (and will test them soon). It's just the name that gives me pause. I like it, but in my head I hear Billy Bob Thorton saying, "Some folks call it a SlimBlade." Kinda makes me hungry for some French-fried pertaters.

Kensington QuickSeek FM Transmitter

Mark Wilson — Tue, 15 May 2007 13:30:00 EDT

Kensington just announced their newest iPod accessory: the Quickseek FM Transmitter. It's like a Belkin with autoscan. Instead of searching through stations until a clear channel is found, the Quickseek automatically scans for open airwaves, freeing your attention for more important things (like talking on your cell, running over deer, and if you're lucky, crashing into a truckload of manure and then shouting, "McFly!").

The Quickseek also sports a detachable car charger that can power mini USB devices when not operating your iPod (USB lavalamp on the dash?) and promises to fit around most protective iPod cases.

All in all, it's a promising alternative to the similar Monster iCarPlay, even at $89. But we'll give you the final verdict as soon as we put our review unit through the standard ~~hazing~~ tests procedure. – Mark Wilson

Kensington

Four Laptop Add-Ons That'll Keep Your System Humming

Louis Ramirez — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:45:32 EST

We've seen some really cool notebooks here at CES, but if you don't have the cash to spend on a new system, one of these accessories should keep your system running with the big dogs.

APC Universal Laptop Battery
This slick, thin laptop battery not only doubles as a stand for your notebook, but can also juice it up for up to 8 hours. And it keeps track of the amount of time/power you have left via a tiny built-in LCD.

Kensington Wireless Keypad/Mouse Combo
Sometimes it's the smallest things that make the biggest impact. Plug in this USB receiver and you'll suddenly have a wireless mouse and numberpad.

Belkin N1 Wireless ExpressCard
Show your ExpressCard slot some love and upgrade to 802.11n at the same time.

Asus XG Station
Think of the XG Station as roids for your notebook's video card. Plug it in and watch as those framerates jump through the roof. Future models will let you install/upgrade the video card inside the XG Station. – Louis Ramirez

APC Laptop Battery
Kensington Wireless Keypad/Mouse Combo
Belkin Wireless N1 ExpressCard
Asus XG Station

Two Birds, One Stone: Kensington Wireless Keypad/Mouse Combo

Travis Hudson — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:06:45 EST

Announced at CES was this wireless keypad and mouse combination from Kensington. One dongle will communicate with a small wireless optical mouse and keypad that can operate as a standalone calculator or as a regular keypad for your laptop computer. Both are AAA battery powered and includes a handy dandy carrying bag. It will be available February 1 for $59. –Travis Hudson

Kensington Jumps on Donation Bandwagon with Pink Si750m LE Wireless Mouse.

Travis Hudson — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:09:42 EST

We told you about the pink Si750m LE, a couple days ago, but I found out a bit more behind the reasoning for the female-designed wireless mouse. This mouse is part of Kensington's Go Red campaign. It is similar to the (RED) campaign picked up by Motorola, Apple, etc., but Go Red supports the American Heart Association because heart disease is the number one killer of women, according to the Kensington rep. I usually ridicule gadgets colored pink to appeal to women, but bravo to Kensington for this mouse and their $150,000 donation to the AHA. Although it is odd that the campaign is called "Go Red," but the mouse is pink. It will be available in February for $49 at Circuit City. –Travis Hudson

Finally - An ExpressCard Memory Card Reader

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:34:03 EST

Mac owners like to take photos too. But laptop card readers are made for old-fashioned PC Card slots, not the skinny little ExpressCard slots on MacBooks and ever-more PC laptops. So Kensington has come out with what we think is the first ExpressCard reader - which handles seven memory card formats. Avialble at the end of January for $40. – Sean Captain

Two Kensington Bluetooth Rodents

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:23:18 EST

Ladies like computers too, but they have special needs - according to Kensington. Most importnatly, their portable input devices must be pink, like the Si 750m LE. It's nearly identical to the crude, beerbelly-lugging Si 750m for the less-fiar sex except for the pinky accent and a modifed grips for ladies' delicate hands.

The Si 670m is a new full-size mouse (for men and manly women) with a scroll sheel that also pivots left and right.

Both are avialble at the end of Janaury for $50. – Sean Captain

Take Your iPod Camping: Kensington Speakers

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:18:50 EST

Camping season will be here pretty soon, and Kensington is ready with weatherproof speakers. Looking a little like a Franklin Planner, the FX500 Speaker To Go zips open so you can plug in and insert your iPod. View the screen and control the scroll wheel via the clear screen on the front. The speakers sit behind vinyl covers but sound surprisingly good and not muffled. Available end of January for $50. – Sean Captain

Kensington's Bluetooth Calling Card

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:06:03 EST

The Vo200 Bluetooth Internet Phone is designed to fit into and charge from a PC Card slot in a laptop. (Sorry, Apple MacBook fans.) According to Kensington, the battery is good for 3 hours of talk time and 30 hours standby! Fold the microphone out to use it like a Zoolander-skinny cell phone or fold it under, stand it up, and turn on the speakerphone. It works with any Bluetooth-enabled computer and with all common VoIP/messenger services, such as Skype, Yahoo Live Messenger, and GoogleTalk. And it's oh so cute! Available in February for $90. – Sean Captain

Kensington Wireless Presentation Remote has Range, Not Much Else

Travis Hudson — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 16:05:12 EDT

Kensington has released the Wireless Presentation Remote. It is really an average USB wireless remote that can click through your slides about TPS reports with ease. It does have one thing going for it—range. The remote will work up to 65 feet away, which could be really useful in the awkwardly laid out auditoriums. It is available for $45 or so. – Travis Hudson

Kensington Wireless Presentation Remote [ubergizmo]

Kensington Vo300 Skype-Compatible VoIP USB Speakerphone

Jason Chen — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:00:00 EDT

Another VoIP-speakerphone here today, this time it's the Vo300 USB Internet Speakerphone from Kensington. Available for $89.99, it's got an LCD screen, a dial pad, and USB hookup to your PC in order to connect with your Skype software. Not as useful as a WiFi Skype phone if you're prone to wandering, but you can view and dial your contacts directly on the speakerphone. And it's useful for conference or hands-free calling when you're chowing down on a Peanut Butter & Secretary sandwich. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Kensington]

Press Release [Kensington]

Kensington SX 3000R iPod Speakers and FM Radio Receiver

Jason Chen — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:45:54 EDT

The Kensington SX 3000R is the sequel to the SX 2000R iPod Speaker Dock, which we featured as a Dealzmodo a few weeks ago. This 3000R has an FM tuner, remote, NXT SurfaceSound speaker technology, dock that fits all iPods, and goes for $169.99. We think it may be kind of cool to set up a cheap iPod dock in each room of your house so you can have music everywhere. An inexpensive alternative to actually rigging up speakers in each room that are centrally controlled. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Kensington]

Press Release [Kensington]

Dealzmodo: $40 Kensington SX 2000 Dock

Travis Hudson — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 10:50:29 EDT

We first told you about the Kensington SX 2000 iPod dock last year. It didn't seem like too bad of a dock, looked cool, had decent sound, made by Kensington, etc. Now Buy.com is featuring this dock for merely $40. It has a retail price of $100, then includes $30 instant savings and a $30 mail-in-rebate. So $40 after all is said any done. The free shipping is like the cherry on top of the creamy Apple pie. Wait, who the hell puts cherries on top of Apple pies? I guess it was supposed to be an Apple/iPod pun that went miserably wrong, oh well. – Travis Hudson

Kensington SX 2000 Speakers for iPod [Buy.com via Dealhack]

Back-to-School Twofer: Kensington Notebook Expansion Dock and Ci600 Wireless Mouse Reviewed

Travis Hudson — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 16:59:48 EDT

Listen up you dorm rats; I know you are coming back. I see you walking in flocks around my beloved town and overcrowding the good restaurants. With campuses around the nation getting loaded up with Wi-Fi internet access it is pretty important to have a notebook to keep you entertained in class with Facebook, Myspace and online poker. But taking the notebook back into your 5-foot by 5-foot dorm and plugging everything back in is a pain in the ass, so Kensington has the perfect solution for you with their Notebook Expansion Dock with Video. Hit the jump for the review along with a review of the Ci60 Wireless Optical Mouse.

The Notebook Expansion Dock with Video from Kensington is the perfect solution for anyone who lives off their laptop. One of the biggest perks is that it has video output, therefore a perfect candidate for my Dell Inspiron 700m with a measly 12-inch display.

The dock is roughly 10 inches long and has expansion for 1 ethernet port, 1 VGA display, 4 USB ports, 1 microphone port and 1 speaker port. It is powered by an AC adapter and connects to the laptop with a single USB connection. The form of the dock is built to actually elevate the laptop. There is a piece of gripping material on the topside of the dock that held my laptop in place.

As you can see from the above picture, I loaded up the dock with devices and began playing. I had it plugged into the network, going out to an LCD display, had a headset plugged into the audio and had a keyboard, Kensington Ci60 wireless mouse, SanDisk Titanium Cruzer and an iPod dock plugged into the device.

After the initial driver installation from Kensington, all of the plugged in devices worked seamlessly. Windows would discover a new device and install the drivers for it, this was only done the first time new devices were plugged in. The display also worked well. It supports resolution up to 1280 x 1024 in 24-bit color. I tried watching movies and they played back fine without any kind of lag frame skipping.

This dock did the job it was built to do. And it is universal, to boot. No need to order a custom dock for your laptop, all you need I a USB port. It does carry a bit of a high price tag ($180), but it may be worth it if you take your laptop goes everywhere with you.

Verdict: Get's the job done.
Product page [Kensington]

Kensington Ci60 Optical Wireless Mouse
Along with the Notebook Expansion Dock, I gave Kensington's latest wireless optical mouse a test run. This mouse optical mouse operates off of two AA batteries and communicates with a dongle-sized USB adapter. It has five buttons and a scroll wheel.

Surprisingly it had a quick response time, even wirelessly. Kensington said this is due to the QuickRF wireless technology. During my tests it had a wireless range of 4-6 feet, which is pretty unfortunate. But the QuickRF technology kept the mouse responding quickly all the way until it went out of range and stopped completely.

Also included in this mouse is "Diamond Eye Precision" technology. I'm not sure really what that means, but I guess I didn't do enough intense mousing to notice it. Preceision and accuracy was pretty average or below average. Maybe I was just not used to the quick RF response and "over-moused" my target.

The mouse fit the hand nicely and has soft honeycomb-style grips on the sides. The five buttons are programmable via Kensington's MouseWorks software. Overall the mouse was a bit to lightweight for my likings, but that preference just depends on the person. This mouse retails for $30, which isn't too bad for a decent wireless mouse.

Verdict: It's aight. Good wireless response time, but would like to see better range. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Kensington]

Kensington 4-in-1 iPod Car Charger: A Pictorial Review

Travis Hudson — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:51:06 EDT

Okay, first off. This thing is by no means a 4-in-1 iPod accessory. It does one thing, charge. Now hit the jump for my exciting Kensington iPod Car Charger adventure, starring Hannah—my black iPod nano (yes, I really named it Hannah, don't ask). The Kensington 1-in-1 car charger is available for $30.

What's this? My Civic has both a power adapter and an auxiliary audio adapter? Sound's like a match made in heaven for Hannah the iPod. But if only I could keep her charging while I am driving...

Plug in the Kensington power adapter and I should be on my way to an iPod rockin' good time, right?

Now, simply plug the Kensington dock adapter into Hannah. Almost there, I'm so excited!

Wait a silly gosh darn second here. The Kensington adapter covered up the audio jack on her! I don't have a FM transmitter, either. What will I ever do? :(

Still saddened, our hero begins to turn on the FM radio, destined to listen to crap forever.

Wait! An idea is a brewing! Yes, I think it just might work! The Kensington power adapter simply has a USB port. So that means the Apple iPod connector should work!

Yes, it works! Hannah is happy to be charging and playing. All is well!

Stay tuned next week when our hero tries to discover the true meaning of life with the help of a fleshlight, rubber band and a crappy Korean cellphone. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Kensington]

Kensington iPod FM Transmitter and Charger with RDS

Jason Chen — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 18:01:26 EDT

What justifies Kensington's $89.99 price tag on this FM transmitter? The RDS transmission, that's what. RDS allows your transmitter to send digital info through the FM band along with the music. In this case, it sends Artist and song information to your car so you can see who's sings "Friday I'm in Love" (as if we'd ever forget). The only thing is, you'll need an RDS enabled car. Later model GMs usually have this.

RDS aside, the rest of the features are fairly standard. The charger switches off when your iPod's charged so your car battery doesn't get drained. Three station FM memory and stainless steel rounds out the package. – Jason Chen

RDS FM Transmitter/Car Charger for iPod® [Kensington via Playlist Magazine]

Ask Gizmodo: Safety-fying a Mac mini?

Travis Hudson — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 14:16:14 EDT

Reader George writes:

I am an admin at a small college and I am going to deploy some Mac Minis in an unattended lab. What is the best way people have found to tie the minis down so they don't get legs and walk off?

Well, George. I think we have the perfect solution for you. See that little notch on the top right side of the back of the Mac mini? Well that isn't just some random hole, it is actually the universal locking mechanism that is commonly used on laptops. There are a ton of devices out there to keep laptops and Mac minis alike secure. All you need to do is attach the device and wrap the durable cable around the desk to prevent the Mac mini from walking off. Hit the jump for some more safety-fying tips and a review of Kensington's MicroSaver Combination Notebook Lock that was recently released.

This is my first experience with a notebook lock and maybe I just don't have enough experience with these, because it took me a while to figure out how to set the combination, but that is my lone complaint about this device. It required a coin to twist an extremely difficult-to-turn notch to set the combination. After I got the combination down it was time for a true durability test.

The sharp object test was in favor of Kensington. Both scissors and a small knife were not able to cut through the metal cable. Unfortunately with a sharp enough of a weapon or enough time, any kind of metal cable will be able to be severed. The only durability conflict that may occur is breaking the lock out of the Mac mini. The plastic back paneling of the mini would break before these durable cables snap from forceful pulling.

Kensington also has this lock available with the key-locks rather than combination. It just depends on the preference of the user. For a lab environment such as the one George is putting together it would be a tossup. If more than one admin knows the combination, there could be security concerns and key locks may be the better way to go. But for individual uses, the combination lock should be sufficient. Kensington has a variety of locks available with prices beginning at $40 each, maybe less with a bulk purchase, George.

For other security concerns, George, we suggest tying together the cables coming out of the Mac mini to help prevent any kind of peripheral theft. Zip tie all of the cables together immediately coming out of the mini. Now this isn't a full-proof 100-percent theft prevention method, it will at least help and not allow someone to easily unplug the mouse or keyboard and take it for their own.

Hope we were able to help, George. And good luck with your new Mac mini lab. – Travis Hudson

Kensington Lock Product Page [Kensington]

Kensington Release 20 Notebook Accessories

Travis Hudson — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 19:11:34 EDT

Oh, man. Kensington went all out today by announcing 20 different notebook accessories that should be due out this summer. There is just too much for the front page to handle. Hit up the jump for full details on all of the accessories including locks, carrying cases, peripherals and—gasp!—an iPod accessory! Hooray, iPods!

First up to the plate are four MicroSaver locks that have improved locking mechanisms. There are four different models available in keypad or combination lock-style. They will retail from $40 to $70.

Also Kensington introduced nine Contour laptop cases. These cases are endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. They will be available this month and will retail for $30 to $100.

The lone product introduced by Kensington day that perks my ears a little is the Notebook Expansion Dock with Video. It is similar to the traditional laptop docks but rather than being model-specific, this dock will work with any laptop and only utilize one USB port on the actual laptop. It will allow for USB peripherals, speakers, mice, keyboard, VGA display and more. The wedge design also allows the laptop to be elevated, therefore improving airflow. The Notebook Expansion Dock retails for $180.

Kensington is introducing quite a few peripherals. The Ci60 and Ci20 Wireless Optical Mice have rubberized grips, five programmable buttons and DiamondEye optical technology. The Si300 Lase Mouse has laser tracking and a 4-way tilt scroll wheel. They have also released the Wireless Presenter and Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer. These two presenters use 2.4GHz wireless technology in a palm-sized device to control presentations up to 50 feet away from the USB receiver. Prices for these peripherals begin at $25.

Lastly, here it is, the one you have been waiting for: the 4-in-1 Car Charger for iPod! This device will powers the iPod, charges the iPod, ~~acts as an FM transmitter~~ acts as a passthrough for FM Transmitters, and can charge other USB devices. – Travis Hudson

Thanks to Ben for the update.

Press Release [Via Gadgetell]

Kensington iPod Accessories: Includes Weird Grille-less Speaker

gizmogo — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 08:53:17 EDT

We were distracted by the iPod nano this week, so forgive us for missing this announcement of five new Kensington iPod accessories. In fact, three of them are actually iPod nano-compatible, thanks to the whole Universal Dock adapter thing that Apple implemented.

The most notable accessory to debut is the weird grille-less NXT flat panel speaker, the SX 2000 (pictured here). The odd design will supposedly deliver a more "balanced sound" with a "wider sweet spot." I wonder if its list of features include "throwing off your entire living room decor" and "looking kinda freakish."

We weren't able to find pictures of the rest of the releases, which include a Micro FM transmitter and 2-in-1 Digital FM Radio and FM Transmitter for iPod, both of which will be iPod nano-compatible. The other two releases are for the iPod Shuffle: one's a travel plug adapter with USB charger, and another's a "Transporters" package that includes an iPod Shuffle belt clip.

The SX 2000 speakers will cost you $159.99, whereas the Micro FM Transmitter and Digital FM Radio/Transmitter will go for $50 and $79.99 respectively. As for the Shuffle accessories, the Travel Plug adapter's price will be $39.99, and the Transporters will cost $19.99. We'll update you with pics as we get them.

Kensington announces new iPod accessories [iLounge]
Kensington reveals NXT-enabled iPod nano docking station and accessories [MobileMag]