Newnex FireNEX-5000 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Optical Repeater

Shoring up one of USB 3.0's most glaring shortcomings, Newnex's FireNEX-5000 extends SuperSpeed USB 3.0 transmission runs to over 100 meters! Among the world's first USB 3.0 optical repeaters, the FireNEX-5000 uses industry standard LC connector optical cables to extend far beyond the practical length limit for copper USB 3.0 cable of 3 meters. This capability opens many possibilities for the use of USB 3.0 in Machine Vision, security and scientific fields. The FireNEX-5000 set includes one FireNEX-5000 device unit (upstream) and one FireNEX-5000 host unit (downstream), a user's manual and a single FIRENEX-5POWER 5V power supply. A single FIRENEX-5POWER is included to power the device end which requires an external power source. The host unit may be bus powered by the computer; if power cannot be provided by the computer then a second power supply such as the FIRENEX-5POWER will need to be purchased. Optical cable and USB 3.0 cables are not included.

Important Note: This device is not backwards compatible. It does not support older USB2.0/1.1 devices, it will work only with USB 3.0 devices.

SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Hub 3 Port plus Gigabit Ethernet Docking Station U-810

This USB 3.0 Hub + Gigabit Ethernet Docking Station let you get the fastest way to connect several USB 3.0 devices quickly and easily. The U-810 has three USB 3.0 Super-Speed ports, and it also integrated with a single RJ-45 Ethernet networking port. With this USB/Ethernet Adapter, you avoid the hassles of opening up your computer case to add an internal network card.The USB 3.0 Hub + Gigabit Ethernet Docking Station is also backward compatible with the USB 2.0 specification. Perfect for docking small notebook and netbook computers to speedy wired networks and USB 3.0 SuperSpeed peripherals. The Gigabit Ethernet is powered by the latest ASIX AX88179 chipset, providing a host of modern features including full duplex operation with IEEE 802.3x flow control and half duplex operation with back-pressure flow control.

Superior design of Apple's Lightning connectors inspires upcoming Type-C USB standard

It's no secret that the bulky and awkward design of 'Micro' USB connectors has long been problematic especially its unidirectional orientation insertion requirement. While not nearly as elegant as Apple's Lightning connectors, the new USB Type-C connectors promise better than the downright awful existing standard. According to the USB-IF press release:

Key characteristics of the USB Type-C connector and cable solution include:

• An entirely new design tailored to work well with emerging product designs
• New smaller size similar in size to the existing USB 2.0 Micro-B
• Usability enhancements users will no longer need to be concerned with plug orientation/cable direction, making it easier to plug in
• The Type-C connector and cable will support scalable power charging
• Scalability the connector design will scale for future USB bus performance

Several trade publications have covered this story.

The Next-Gen USB Plug To Be Smaller And Finally Reversible

Key characteristics of the USB Type-C connector and cable solution include