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Archive for October, 2008

Mobile Edge launches new USB 2.0 Media Card Readers/Writers

Matthew Olivolo October 29th, 2008

Mobile Edge USB 2.0 Card Reader/Writer

It seems everyone has a digital camera these days. However, transferring those images from your camera or camera phone to your laptop is not always easy, especially when traveling. Most new laptops don’t have memory card slots, or if they do they may not be the one specifically designed for your camera. Now, with the new trend in Ultraportable computers or Netbooks, even additional USB slots are hard to come by.

That is why the Research & Development Team at Mobile Edge added two USB 2.0 Card Reader/Writers and three new USB 2.0 Hubs to their laptop accessory collection. Depending on your needs, there is an option for everyone.

Now when on the road, take as many photos as you want and transfer them quick and easy to your laptop.

It is our Mission at Mobile Edge to ensure our customers have what they need when on the road to be truly mobile.

How many times have you needed extra USB ports? Everything uses USB connections now, including printers, mice and keyboards (unless wireless of course). Check out our selection of new USB 2.0 hubs that will give you additional USB ports that you need.

If you want both, then try the new USB 2.0 Card Reader/Writer and Three Port Hub all in one. It gives you three extra USB 2.0 ports, and multiple media card slots for all popular memory cards to include the Sony Memory Stick Duo, Compact Flash, SD Cards, HDSD Cards, Secure Digital, SmartMedia, xD and MicroDrives. This is a slick gadget that anyone can use.

Check out the Mobile Edge website for more information.

Traveling with my Mobile Edge Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

Matthew Olivolo October 21st, 2008

Traveling these days with your laptop has become a huge challenge with all of the new security steps you have to go through just to enter your terminal. Although security checks are needed for obvious reasons, security checkpoints can add hours to your wait time on any given day.

Luckily, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently relaxed the carry on luggage rule by allowing Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags to pass through security checkpoints. As long as the new cases meet the TSA guidelines you are good to go. You no longer have to remove your laptop from your case.

Mobile Edge just released their new ScanFast Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags. I’ve been using the new ScanFast Backpack which fits up to a 17″ laptop. Honestly, it has been great when going though airport security checks. All you have to do is take the backpack off your shoulder, unzip the bag all the way down on both sides and place it on the X-ray Belt. That is it. You don’t need to place the bag in a gray plastic bin. It really could not be any easier.

The new design by Mobile Edge allows the airport screener to easily scan the laptop and help move you through the line quicker. This not only helps you but it helps the rest of the people in line behind you. The more people purchase these Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags the quicker people will go through security.

You still have to take off your shoes and belt if you wear one, but at least it is one less step that you have to worry about. The picture above is me looking at departure times for my flight wearing the new ScanFast Backpack. It is the perfect size for a two day trip, or just the essentials you need for that meeting you have to go to.

There are three styles available, the ScanFast Backpack, the ScanFast Messenger Bag and the ScanFast Briefcase and are all backed by a Lifetime Warranty.

Let me know your thoughts. Do you feel this new design will help save you time when traveling? e-mail me at mo@mobileedge.com.

New Apple MacBooks perfect for Mobile Edge neoprene sleeves

Matthew Olivolo October 15th, 2008

Apple recently announced two new MacBooks that are a little more affordable and just plain cool. Both models offer two versions of their speedy Intel Core 2 Duo chip, upgraded memory and hard drive space.

In today’s fast paced mobile lifestyle, people want protection for their laptop but also the freedom of a lightweight case that is designed for people on the go. The SlipSuit offers that protection and mobility all in one and with the style and functionality only offered by Mobile Edge. It’s the protection your laptop needs and yet small enough to slip into a larger bag or tote.

Given their sleek design Apple is known for, the new MacBooks fit perfectly in Mobile Edge custom laptop sleeves. The 13.3 inch MacBook fits like a glove in the Mobile Edge 13.3 inch Mac Sleeve. Given the sleek design of the new 15 inch MacBook Pro, it will fit nicely into the 14.1 inch Mobile Edge SlipSuit.

Suitable for the classroom or the boardroom, the sporty style and edgy lines of the SlipSuit make carrying your notebook easy and comfortable. Made of durable Neoprene wetsuit-like-material, the SlipSuit is backed with a Lifetime Warranty.

“The Mac friendly SlipSuits are the perfect addition to the Mobile Edge collection of stylish notebook cases,” said Chuck Gangi, vice president of sales for Mobile Edge. “Our Mac customers asked for a simple solution to protect their MacBook and MacBook Pros, and Mobile Edge has delivered. By offering an outside zippered pocket, the SlipSuit offers functionality unparalleled to other sleeve manufacturers.”

Good looks and brains go a long way, and in my opinion both new MacBooks will further increase Apple’s market share in the laptop category.

Like Apple, Mobile Edge will continue to build quality laptop bags and offer custom sizes to accommodate new MacBooks as they enter the marketplace. Make sure your new laptop is secure with Mobile Edge proven laptop protection. Check out the custom SlipSuit neoprene sleeve page and get yours today!

Mobile Edge laptop bags blend style with technology

Matthew Olivolo October 14th, 2008

Mobile Edge, the industry leader in innovative and stylish laptop computer carrying cases and accessories, expands the laptop bag category once again with its new Element Collection.

Designed for women by women, the Element Briefcase may be the most versatile women’s laptop case ever introduced. The rich poly-suede and faux-leather exterior is highlighted by a bright color-accented satin interior lining. But the Element is more than just good looks. Inside you’ll find superior laptop protection in a dedicated padded computer section.

Two additional zippered compartments provide space for files, magazines and travel accessories. Our exclusive Wireless Security Shield™ accessory pocket keeps your Bluetooth phone or PDA safe from spam, hackers and viruses. A removable matching accessory clutch will conveniently hold your personal items. Exterior pockets offer quick access to your phone, plane tickets and reading material and a detachable padded shoulder strap complete this perfect travel companion.

“The perfect combination of fashion and function, our new Element Briefcase is the ideal case for women on the go.” explained Chuck Gangi, VP of Sales, Mobile Edge. “Great looks, high-end features, our dedication to quality, and a lifetime warranty make the Element the case for every occasion.”

Available in three color combinations, forest green suede model: MESBC9, pink suede model: MESBCX and brown suede model: MESBC8 all accented with brown trim available now at select resellers for $89.99.

Mobile Edge continues to expand the laptop carrying case category by offering new, innovative and smart designs that fuse fashion trends with form and function, creating a brand that makes a positive statement about today’s mobile computing lifestyle.

Mobile Edge launches new UltraPortable Computer Sleeves!

Matthew Olivolo October 10th, 2008

Technology evolves quickly, so it’s important as a technology company to advance in unison. The newest trend in mobile computing right now is UltraPortable Laptop Computers. Manufacturers such as Asus, HP, Dell, Toshiba, Apple, Lenovo and others have all come out with Netbook computers in multiple sizes such as: 7 inch, 8.9 inch and 10 inch sizes. These are actual computers! They really are the perfect companion for any road warrior.

The design team at Mobile Edge created three new UltraPortable Neoprene Sleeves to accommodate the 8.9 inch, and 10 inch Netbook Computers. Of course the 8.9 inch neoprene sleeve will accommodate the 7 inch UltraPortable Computer just fine.

For people that travel often, this new revolution of UltraPortable Computers is a great alternative. Traveling around with a large 17 inch wide screen can be cumbersome and can take its toll on your back and shoulders. The new collection of Mobile Edge UltraPortable Neoprene Sleeves is the perfect solution for UltraPortable computers. All three styles come with an attractive and affordable retail price of only $24.99.

Because the neoprene sleeves are somewhat form fitting, they can still fit into a larger bag or briefcase you already own.

There have been reviews posted all over the Internet praising this new wave of Netbook computers. The cost of the new compact computers are very reasonable. For the same price I paid for my new Apple iPhone, I could have paid for a new 8.9 Netbook. (I had to pay full price for my new 16GB 3G iPhone because my contract with AT&T was not up for renewal. I’m not bitter…)

The new sleeves are available in three color options and two sizes. Get your UltraPortable Sleeve today by visiting the Mobile Edge website!

Is your laptop safe when waiting for your flight?

Matthew Olivolo October 8th, 2008

It has been reported in several publications like the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, PC Magazine and others on how vulnerable travelers are to thieves at airports. I’ve personally seen first hand people traveling with their laptops, then placing the bag on the ground near their seat not paying attention to potential thieves. This specifically applies to people who carry traditional styled laptop cases that are black and have a computer company name on them which screams “I have a laptop!”

Mobile Edge offers several styles of laptop cases that do not look like traditional laptop cases, therefore adding an indirect element of security. From our women’s messenger bags, handbags or totes, to our men’s SecurePack laptop backpack, or our men’s briefcases and messenger bags. All designed to not only protect your laptop, but to help protect our customers from potential thieves.

I ran across this article recently online and thought it was very applicable. To read the full article click on the link below.

By Peter Wolcha, a blogger at Synch, a Tech Blog Site.

I had a coffee and an on-loan Apple iPhone, and I had settled into a chair at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, early for a flight to Vancouver. I was heading west to moderate a roundtable debate at one of two events run by Backbone and KPMG in support of our recent PICK 20 roundup of Canada’s best Web 2.0 companies.

This was an ideal time to review the agenda and my questions. Twenty minutes later my work was still unreviewed but it looked like my brand new Facebook account was ticking along nicely. Feeling I deserved a break I glanced around the gate area and noticed a rather well-dressed woman across from me. We were both sitting at the ends of our respective rows and she had placed an expensive laptop bag on the floor beside her. At the end of the row. Out of her direct sight. And she was reading a novel.

It occurred to me how easy it would be to steal the bag. She wasn’t looking, and if I stood up and coolly snagged it as I walked past, no one would notice. And I remembered a cop I had once met who did just that. He would hang out at airports and steal computers, and then stand around with other cops to see how long it would take for the owner to notice. Sometimes it took a long time. I decided to stroll around and see how many laptops I thought I could safely snatch. I spotted at least three.

That cop had a lot of good advice on thwarting thieves, and based on my airport stroll the most important one is really simple: if you put a bag on the floor, put it down in front of you, or between your feet, or loop the shoulder strap over the back of your chair. Do anything, in fact, that will get a crook to choose an easier target than you.

I could have grabbed three bags in a few minutes, and after a quick trip to a bathroom stall to transfer the valuables and dump the bags I’d be on the plane or out of the airport with a nice haul of both notebooks and the sensitive data stored on them.

I didn’t do that, but apparently lots of people do. The Poneman Institute estimates that last year up to 12,000 laptops were lost or stolen in American airports every single week.

To read the full article click here.