Hama announces USB HubDrive
By
Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 01:19 EDT)
German peripheral and accessory manufacturer Hama GmbH & Co. KG has announced a new flash media reader with an unusual extra feature.
The 5-in-1 USB 'HubDrive', a device styled like a transparent soft-drink can but somewhat smaller, offers compatibility with a range of flash card types - and an added bonus. Where most USB card readers tie up one of your valuable USB ports, the Hama HubDrive actually gives you two USB ports that can be conveniently reached wherever you place the HubDrive itself. Overall, you gain a USB port on your PC, although bear in mind that not all USB devices will work through a hub - most commonly those that draw a significant amount of power will refuse to work if not directly connected to the port.
The HubDrive has three flash slots; one is compatible with CompactFlash Type-I or -II including Microdrive, one with SmartMedia and one with Secure Digital or MultiMediaCards. You can use the different slots simultaneously, and copy files directly from one slot to another if you choose. When the HubDrive is in use, it glows neon-blue, and whilst in standby mode it glows orange.
The device is compatible with Windows 98 / 98 SE / 2000 / ME or XP and Mac OS 8.6 or higher, including OSX. With Windows ME and XP, or OSX, the HubDrive requires no drives as it is compatible with USB Mass Storage Class.
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Original Source Press Release:
| Hama Reader of memory cards Magical reader of cards
That is not bogus: The "HubDrive" of accessories specialist Hama has specialized in the art of reading cards and is simultaneously a practical USB Hub. The USB device reads and writes CompactFlash type I-, type II-, SmartMedia-, MultiMediaCard- and SecureDigital-cards like lightning and copies data directly between the storage media. Its special trick: In order to loose no USB slot with the connection of the reader of cards and to be able to connect further devices with the computer, the driver offers two additional USB ports. The design gives an impression of luxury and mysticism, because the bottom of the transparent casing shines orange in standby mode, while the one of the operating, neon-blue.
Thanks to the installed Hub, two USB ports are on the desk and comfortably reachable. For every of the three slots of memory cards, a particular driver is shown at computer, which can individually be named. With drivers, the reader of cards works under Windows 98, SE and 2000, as well as under Mac OS 8.6, the operation with Windows ME and XP works without any driver, as well as Mac OS X. The Hub does not have its own mains unit, the connection cable to computer is about 1.10 meters. |
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