This week we watched in fascination as Chatroulette fever took the teen nation by storm.

For anyone not living with a technology-crazed teen, or who hasn’t suffered a bout of insomnia in front of a computer screen recently, Chatroulette is a Russian based video chat service that brings you face-to-face, via webcam, with an endless stream of random strangers all over the world. With a few clicks, you could be talking to music enthusiasts in South Africa, swapping cookery tips with viewers in Paris or just shooting the breeze with new friends in Belgium – all for free!

While swapping pleasantries with random strangers may not be everyone’s idea of a good time (and certainly not an advised activity for your teen), it got us here at IOGEAR thinking: is this the future of the internet, or its demise? Either way, it shows us one thing very clearly – our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter. We need constant stimuli to keep us interested.

Luckily, we here at IOGEAR have long understood this theory of multitasking. From our HD Matrix Switch with Remote, which allows you to switch between up to five of your favorite devices with a simple remote control, to our selection of KVM switches, which allow you to control multiple computers using one keyboard, monitor and mouse, IOGEAR products offer enough options and flexibility to satisfy even the itchiest remote trigger finger.

So whether it’s switching between YouTube videos, the latest Xbox 360 shoot-em-up or movies on your HDTV, we can help provide the kind of variety that keeps your entertainment center new and fresh each time you return – no webcam and strangers required!

Don’t forget about our Twitter competition! You could win a Solar Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit for the ultimate multitasking and charging on the go!

Entering is as easy as…

1. Follow us on Twitter
2. Retweet any message that mentions the competition
3. Cross your fingers!

IOGEAR will be announcing a February winner at the end of the month.

Are YOU a multitasker? How many windows do you have open right now? Let us know!

Cheers
The IOGEAR team

Are your holiday gadget gifts still uninstalled? Or worse … still in the box? Have you begun the installations only to find a key cable missing? Are your new gadgets gathering dust alone, dying to be connected and used?

At IOGEAR, we’re here to help! Read on for ideas on how to use our many devices designed to connect, de-clutter, enhance or just help your gadgets reach a new level of cool.

HDMI

HDMI is a high quality interface designed to work with devices such as AV receivers, cable boxes, DVD & Blu-ray Disc players, PCs and video game consoles to HDTVs and computer monitors. HDMI supports HD video and up to 8 channels of digital audio. You can easily make the switch from DVI to HDMI or vice versa with an adaptor without any loss of video quality.

If you are still connecting your devices with a VGA, coaxial, S-video or component video cable, you are missing out on greater quality and aren’t maximizing the potential of your devices. The bad news: a HDMI cable is not always included with your device. The good news: IOGEAR has a variety of HDMI cables to suit your needs, just click this link and choose the “Cables” check box to view our selection.

Matrix Switch Box

Are you overrun with HD source devices – video game console, PCs, set top boxes from cable and satellite providers, DVRs, Blu-ray or DVD players? If so, then you will appreciate the ability to switch between up to five of your favorite devices with a simple remote control using our HD Matrix Switch with Remote. To make life even easier you can even switch between the devices among 2 HDTVs. There’ll be no more crouching down to move fiddly cables around, and no more reasons to leave the couch – ever!

KVM Switch

If you have more than one computer, then a KVM switch might be the answer to simplifying your computing experience. KVM is an abbreviation for Keyboard, Video and Mouse and is a device that allows you to control multiple computers using one keyboard, monitor and mouse. For example, a user could control their desktop and then switch over to their Netbook using the same keyboard, monitor and mouse attached to the KVM.

To make the process of choosing the right KVM for your specific needs simple, we at IOGEAR have put together an easy KVM product selector. Go to this link and click the “KVM Product Selector” banner to the left to get started.

Printer and Storage Server

If you’re adding a new computer to your network, there’s no need to clutter life even more with additional computer-specific printers and external hard drives. Why not share the resources you currently have? With a printer and storage server you can do just that.

You can even attach a portable card reader to make it easy to share your photos and videos around the home. Plug in a USB hub into the server to add more devices to share among some or all of your computers – and banish sneakernet forever!

Your Solutions & Questions

Here at IOGEAR we want to know how YOU currently deal with connectivity issues between your various gadgets. Have you gone wireless? Are you confused about the various options? Do you have some creative uses for the devices mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below, on FaceBook or via Twitter.

According to DigitalTrends.com, this year’s best high tech gifts are the: iPod Nano, HP Mini 311, Kindle DX, Barnes & Noble Nook, Samsung TL 225 Camera, Toshiba Regza SV670 Series 400, Motorola Droid, Dell Adamo, PS3 Slim and the Apple iPhone. We hope that you will receive at least one of these And if you did, in this post, we look at some interesting ways you can gain more value from some of these shiny new gadgets.

As you may know, at IOGEAR, many of our products are designed to give you increased value on products you already own; so we spend a great deal of time thinking about how our products can help you enjoy daily life. We hope these tips provide you with ideas to create more fun and value from your gifts.

Wireless Audio / Video Kit

With this award winning device, you can take your Netbook or Laptop, combined with your HDTV and connect wirelessly from up to 30 feet! So go ahead and take that Dell Adamo or HP Mini and connect wirelessly to your new Toshiba Regza, and not only will you amaze with the latest in wireless technology, but you will be able to blur the lines between home office and entertainment. After all, work is supposed to be fun right?

12-in-1 Pocket Card Reader/Writer

Whether you get that nice new Samsung TL 225 or any other digital camera, you will need an easy way to get your photos and video onto your computer. Most cameras come with their own cable to do this, but it may not always be convenient to carry yet another cable, plus, you can also transfer files from your cellphone, smart phone (such as the Droid) and mp3 player as well with this handy little device.

2-Port USB DVI-D Cable KVM with Audio and Mic

If you have a desktop, but now have added a Netbook and/or Laptop to your collection, you will appreciate the ability to use the same monitor, mouse, keyboard and speaker for both devices simultaneously! Don’t let your nice desktop setup go to waste because you’ve fallen in love with your new Dell Adamo Have the best of both worlds with this KVM.

USB Laptop KVM Switch with File Transfer

Ah, you just added a new Laptop or Netbook to your family of computers, you may even be at the point where you now have multiple Laptops and Netbooks. Well, this little device is a time saver indeed! It allows you to easily switch and transfer files between two computers. We even made the setup easy with Plug & Play and no need for extra cables.

Long Range Wireless Keyboard/Trackball all-in-one

Every new computer deserves a high quality keyboard (your fingers will thank you). Think about how much time you will spend typing in front of your computer; why not make that experience enjoyable? This particular keyboard is slim, ergonomic, wireless and includes a laser trackball. You can use it with your new Laptop, Desktop or Home Theater PC.

Gear Power – Portable Battery for Mobile Devices

Battery power is the nectar of the gods to the tech geek. Electricity is one of those things you can never get enough of, no matter the device. At only $19.95 and in a ultra-slim form factor you may as well pick up several of these. That way, when your battery dies just as you are jammin’ to your favorite song … you can continue to rock on!

What does Santa have in his bag for you this holiday season? Please share some of the tech gifts you receive this holiday season and how you plan to give those gifts a boost in the comments below, on Facebook or via Twitter. Happy Holidays!

IOGEAR has taken several significant steps in offering consumers eco-friendly and green products and as a company we remain committed to our responsibility to the environment.

A key product line that assists in these efforts is our KVM line. Not only are these products convenient for you, but they save on waste and energy by eliminating the need for excess gadgets and the amount of energy running through them!
By allowing users to control several devices with our KVM offerings, IOGEAR has eliminated the need for nearly 30 million keyboards, mice and other excess products.

Here’s what we’ve accomplished in 2008 – aggressively removing harmful chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominate flame retardants (BFR), from our products. Our solutions are now 80% free of these substances. We have worked hard to ensure 70% of all IOGEAR products are Energy Star or CEC compliant. Additionally, the majority of IOGEAR product packages are made from recycled materials and plastic without UV coating and all marketing collateral is made from recycled materials and soy and vegetable based inks.

We also remain committed to our Road to a Million Tree program in which we will plant a tree for every product sold on IOGEAR.com and through our GREEN initiative partners we will plant two trees for every KVM product sold.

We can’t wait to see the results of our green campaigns in 2009!

What gadgets help you stay green?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

As the price of computers continues to fall and computer performance increases, what does this mean for consumers? Many dated computers are set aside, stored in closets, basements or even garages when they still have plenty of life left to them.

Utilizing a KVM switch – an acronym for keyboard, video and mouse – is one way to breathe some fresh air into the life of an older or non-utilized computer without the expense of upgrading. At the core, a KVM switch allows you to share a keyboard, monitor and mouse amongst multiple computers and switch between computers at the touch of a button or with a keyboard shortcut.

KVM switches have been utilized in the business world for years as they are an extremely efficient way to monitor banks of servers oftentimes tucked in small cabinets with no room for multiple monitors or the confusing mess of endless keyboards and mice. 16-port KVM’s can be daisy chained to each other for up to 256 connections allowing ultimate control. KVMs are great solutions for businesses, and now the technology has trickled into the home, and for very good reasons.

Home computers serve many purposes and for today’s children they are one of the best interactive learning tools available. Allowing children on a home computer opens up risks for accidentally deleted files, documents and folders moved to the wrong place or other unintentional errors. With an older unused tower, a simple 2-port KVM with remote is a perfect solution.

Simply connect the keyboard, mouse and monitor to the KVM switch, then take the set of wires coming off the side and plug one into the main computer and the other into the older computer for the kids. A remote button can be mounted under a desk, away from their view to switch between computers. When the kids want to use a computer, simply touch the button on the remote and the keyboard and mouse will control their computer using the same monitor. This is an easy way to keep them off your computer and eliminates the fear of them screwing something up by accident.

The other advantage is cost savings. With KVMs there is no need to purchase an extra monitor for a second computer, thus saving money and energy consumption over time.

Utilizing KVM switches isn’t just restricted to connecting your old computer up with your current monitor for space and money savings, they can be used for other purposes too. Netbooks have recently become one of the biggest new markets for computer manufactures because of their low prices and ultra-portable design. The upside to netbooks, their ultra-compact design, is also their downfall. Most netbooks have a screen smaller than 10 inches which is great for quickly checking email or Web sites on the go, but not so much fun if you have an hour or two of email to read or need to view a Google map at a decent size.

By using a KVM for laptops users can connect netbooks and laptops to an external monitor, allowing them to easily use a larger screen when at the office or home. This particular switch also comes with software and an on-screen menu to easily transfer files between your home / work computer and netbook or laptop, perfect for migrating data from a day in the field onto the destination computer. The small size of the KVM fits unobtrusively into any laptop or netbook bag.

KVM switches are one of most efficient ways to utilize multiple computers, expand existing computers to span monitors and enhance a portable computer without the need to purchase extra hardware. This is a direct cost savings and users can give life to older or under utilized computers and add productivity to their workflow.

The search for the ultimate game-changer in technology is still on, many have tried, but where we use our apps has changed more than the apps themselves lately. Six months ago we did a roundup covering several popular models of what we consider the game-changer of 2009, Netbooks. Here we update what we found in our previous roundup and then look at the hardware you need to get the most out of your Netbook experience.

Bridging the gap between smart phone and laptop computer, these lightweight, ultra-portable, power-house Netbooks are finding a way into more homes, offices, briefcases and purses this year. One of the front-runners from the Netbook roundup was the Dell Mini 9. Partly due to a large advertising budget combined with funky colors and the ability to run OS X software, sales of them quickly took off.

Dell had so much success with the Mini 9 they launched the Mini 10 and Mini 12 (though the Mini 12 was discontinued), with more colors and configurable options. Solid state hard drives continue to grow in size but drop in price, increasing value, along with other features found in these Netbooks. The Mini 9 starts at about $230 for a feature-rich computer and has stayed aggressively priced, compared to the market, while the Mini 10 weighs in near $300.

Asus, a pioneer in the Netbook space, continues to dominate the market with the Eee PC. With more than twenty models currently available in sizes ranging from 7” to 10” and now a new touch-screen tablet, Asus continues to move forward with innovative design and development.

While new technology is implemented into Asus Netbooks to make them thinner, lighter, faster, have more storage and better graphics, the price has stabilized at around the $200-250 level. Considering an unlocked smart phone often runs twice this price and full sized laptops can be double or triple the price, the value in these Netbooks really starts to shine through.

The aggressive pricing of the major Netbook manufactures continues to push smaller companies to offer unique features, special promotions or try to carve a niche out for themselves. BenQ released a selection of Netbook / laptop hybrids in the 12” range, bridging the gap between the 10” Netbooks and 14” laptops. Better known for memory, OCZ Technology released a 10” DIY Netbook called the Neutrino, aimed at being more customizable. Some assembly is required, but this was done on purpose to keep the price down.

Netbooks can be so much more than a bridge between smart phone and desktop computer. The Asus touch-screen tablet is evidence of that, with the ability to easily show clients work, share the screen and let the ideas flow through.

Keeping your Netbook in sync with your home and office computer is often required, and the USB Laptop KVM is the perfect accessory to help facilitate this. An on-screen manager lets you access either computer to share files when connected via the USB adapters and you can utilize the full sized desktop monitor from your Netbook too. Small, sleek and unobtrusive, this KVM is an essential additional to both home and office settings.

Maximize your Netbook’s screen with a Wireless Audio / Video Kit, making a 9 or 10” screen 54” within minutes. This breakthrough product uses ultra wide-band (UWB) technology to transmit 720p HD video from your Netbook to your HD television or monitor, wirelessly! Streaming your favorite movies, TV shows and music from your Netbook now makes it a home media center that you can control right from your couch, up to 30’ away.


Keep a clean and clutter free workspace, living room and office by eliminating Netbook cable clutter. Adding a Wireless USB Hub & Adapter can transform your Netbook into a serious wireless workhorse, without tripping over cables. Installation is simple and straightforward and will allow the connectivity of USB powered devices from up to 30’ feet away. Attach a printer, scanner, hard drive and just about anything else that’s USB powered and never worry about a tangled cord mess on or under your desk again. Because all that gets plugged into the Netbook is a USB transmitter, picking up the Netbook and taking it with you is easy, and syncing to the USB devices when you come back is a snap.

Like most new products to the marketplace, Netbooks are still finding their way into our lives and will endure more changes, features, size and configurations to meet our needs. Less and less 7” models are available because users deemed them too small to use, while the eight and nine-inch models become top sellers. Users are also realizing that having a 500 GB hard drive in a super-portable isn’t always needed, especially when utilizing products like the USB Laptop KVM to off-load and transfer files, or attaching an external hard drive to a Wireless USB Hub. Integrating, utilizing and maximizing your Netbook with IOGEAR products allows you to be more productive at home and in the office with less wasted time, which is always the goal and now it is easier than ever.

IOGEAR recently launched a Web page dedicated to consumers looking for a solution to control and work on two separate PCs – with one being a laptop, or netbook – at the same time through one screen, keyboard and mouse.

The USB Laptop KVM Switch provides users the ability to save money, space and resources by consolidating multiple computers into one as well as increasing the efficiency and performance of the computer with the switch.

The new site provides users with a gallery of product photos as well as lifestyle examples of how to use it, a list of all the features, technical details and a clear description of how the product works.

For more information on how the USB Laptop KVM Switch works, please see the setup description here.

Check it out and let us know what you think about the technology!

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

IOGEAR’s USB Laptop KVM Switch allows users the convenience of controlling a second computer without the hassle of extra cords, re-configuring their home network or installing expensive software that can slow down their computers.

Customers can simply pull the device from the box and plug one end into the main PC’s USB port and the other end into the second PC’s USB port, no matter if it’s desktop to desktop, desktop to laptop, desktop to Netbook, laptop to desktop or laptop to Netbook.

The USB Laptop KVM Switch is revolutionizing the industry as it’s the first-of-its-kind for its design for end consumers with multiple PCs especially the mobile user.

Watch this video and see how easy it is. All you have to do is plug it in; it’s that versatile and easy!

How would you use the USB Laptop KVM Switch?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR team

KVM customers’ needs run the gamut and so do the various products available in this category. IOGEAR alone offers a variety of options for customers depending on their needs and whether the KVM is for the home or for the office.

We provide consumers with affordable, easy-to-use KVMs so that they can effectively control multiple computers in their home. These products are straightforward and allow the users to seamlessly control their computers with this innovative technology.

Many companies also use KVMs to cut down on costs, by allowing several different computers to be controlled by one monitor, one keyboard and one mouse. Businesses utilize KVMs in order to consolidate, control and manage their technology.

This article may offer more insight into how KVMs work.

Also, visit the IOGEAR site for more information about the various types of KVMs. Check out this KVM Product Selector and see which KVM best matches your household set-up.

Would you utilize a KVM more at the workplace or in your home?

Cheers!
The IOGEAR team

Many homes and businesses need to operate multiple computers or servers to accomplish daily and operational tasks. The challenge is when one needs to monitor and use many computers in one location while conserving space and increasing efficiency.

Even with today’s thin flat panel monitors, putting a dozen in one location can be overwhelming, not to mention keyboards and mice sprawled all over the desk. The solution for this problem is rather elegant, a keyboard video mouse switch, often referred to as a KVM switch for short.

Pictured: GCS1716KIT

KVMs consolidate many computers to run off one common monitor, mouse and keyboard, switching between computers via a pushbuttons on the front of the device, an On Screen Display (OSD), or with hotkeys on the keyboard. IOGEAR offers this solution with an added advantage. Cascading, with the 16 port KVM you can cascade 2 levels and connect up to 16 KVMs to centrally control up to 256 computers from one station (a.k.a. console).

Custom ASIC provides auto-sensing of computer positions; so no manual DIP switches need to be set.

This KVM can control legacy equipped units with PS/2 ports or modern computers with USB ports and is fully cross-platform compatible, supporting Windows, Mac, Linux and Sun Solaris systems. It’s also rack-mountable and will only take up a 1U spot in your rack. The GCS1716KIT’s additional value is its included cables which make it a complete out-of-the-box solution.

LED lights on the front panel indicate what computers are powered on and what the active computer is. A USB port on the front of the KVM can be used for system upgrades or to easily share a peripheral, such as external hard drive. The KVM provides a maximum display resolution of 2048 x 1536, meaning even graphic designers can utilize this switch.

In cramped server closets, utilizing a KVM is essential; IOGEAR’s solution requires the least amount of space with the most expandability. Mounting this in a standard 19” 1U rack slot means keeping the unit right in line with your other servers. For home users running several computers on one desk, a KVM would create desk space by removing the number of duplicate peripherals (keyboards / mice) taking up space.

Added benefits include a reduced energy bill since only one monitor is needed, increased productivity and an easier, more efficient way to streamline computer management and operations.