August 27 - 4:40pm EDT   Synchrotech has introduced the ExpressAdapt, a new CardBus-to-ExpressCard adapter. The device is only compatible with USB-mode ExpressCards instead of PCIe-based ones, but no drivers are needed for either Windows or Mac OS X. Power regulation circuitry supports the lower voltages required of many ExpressCard devices, including 1000mAh at 3.3V and 650mAh at 1.5V, which can be supplied on both rails if needed. The adapter is compatible with any 32-bit PC CardBus Type II slot. The ExpressAdapt is available from Synchrotech for $45. [full story]

June 28 - 6:40pm EDT   Synchrotech has announced the MicroU2E-MV USB to ExpressCard adapter, which allows ExpressCards with voltages of both 1.5V and 3.3V to connect to a USB port. The adapter can accept both ExpressCard 34 and 54 sizes and is cross-platform, bringing ExpressCard connectivity to Mac (and PC) laptops lacking ExpressCard slots. The adapter, which is limited to USB-based cards (and will not work with PCIe-based ExpressCards), is available now for $48 and requires a USB 2.0-based ExpressCard and a host computer running Mac OS X or Mac OS 8.6 and above (also Windows ME or later). [full story]

June 26 - 8:00am EDT   Magma this week announced the immediate availability of ExpressBox4, an external PCI-Express Expansion box for desktop or laptop computers. Offering users four hot-swappable, full-size PCI Express expansion slots, the Expressbox4 connects to desktop machines via an existing x8 PCI Express slot, or to laptops via an ExpressCard slot. The ExpressBox4 ships with its own 400W power-supply, and is available in either desktop or 2U rack mountable version. Offering seamless integration (with the expansion slots appearing completely transparent to the host system without need of additional software), it works with Mac OS X 10.3 or later and costs $2,400. [full story]

March 18 - 3:50pm EDT   Canada's Rogers Wireless will be the first carrier in carrier in the world with a new ExpressCard modem, Novatel has announced. The Merlin X950D is a quad-band GSM/EDGE and tri-band HSPA modem, able to fit into both 34 and 54 ExpressCard slots. Notable however is that the modem supports not only 2.1Mbps HSUPA, but 7.2Mbps HSDPA, twice as fast as most 3G networks worldwide. Rogers has yet to launch 7.2Mbps speeds, but is rumored to be testing the technology in limited fashion. [full story]

March 5 - 9:20am EST   The PCMCIA group today outlined ExpressCard 2.0, the next major change to the removable card standard for notebooks. The format is now being reworked to take advantage of technologies that have been introduced since its initial release, including PCI Express 2.0 and USB 3.0. Depending on the connection, the right cards could transfer data between 2X (PCIe) and 10X (USB) faster than existing technology. The extra speed will be crucial for flash-based ExpressCard storage as well as SATA II external drives and streaming media adapters, the group says. [full story]

February 28 - 4:40pm EST   Umbrella technology company Gigabyte has offered a brief peak at a new cellular modem, the MD800. Buyers will have the option of three different interfaces -- ExpressCard, mini-USB or PCMCIA -- and gain access to 3.5G-level broadband, likely some form of HSPA. The card should also be the first to combine this with both GPS and assisted GPS abilities, expanding the functions of phones and/or computers. [full story]

February 14 - 11:05am EST   Nova Media today highlighted launch2net -- an application that handles setup as well as connections to the internet for PC card and ExpressCard modems -- on the heels of AT&T's new LaptopConnect modems. "If you need a bit more than just a connect/disconnect button, launch2net is the right software for you." said Jan Fuellemann of nova media. "launch2net offers advanced statistics, auto-connect, disconnect after a certain time or traffic spend online, a menu icon so the software does not have to be running to establish a connection and more." Launch2net is priced at $110, and requires Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. [full story]

February 11 - 11:25am EST   Sierra Wireless has introduced two new HSPA mobile broadband modems -- the AirCard 885E ExpressCard and Compass 885 USB modem. Both devices boast a small form-factor and offer the latest high-speed mobile broadband technology for use worldwide. Both the AirCard 885E ExpressCard and the Compass 885 USB modem are slated for shipment in mid-2008, and are compatible with Mac as well as Windows systems. [full story]

January 14 - 1:30am EST   RadTech on Monday announced its annual notebook restoration clinic alongside a fully stocked company store with special show pricing at this week's Macworld Expo. Once again, RadTech will host daily notebook restoration clinics, offering attendees the opportunity to bring their display and chassis damaged notebooks to RadTech's booth for demos of its preventive maintenance and restoration products and solutions (for a display or chassis). Conference attendees can also evaluate and test RadTech's full line of over 600 products, including seven new ones for iPhone and iPod, four new luggage and case offerings for notebooks, eight digital audio and high-definition video ... [full story]

December 19 - 2:30pm EST   Sonnet has begun selling a new device for ExpressCard slots, the 21-in-1 Multimedia Memory Card Reader and Writer. Unlike a previous ExpressCard device, the R&W can also copy to memory cards, and does so without increasing in size; it fits flush with a notebook's body for travel. The 21 supported formats are divided between SD, xD, MMC and Memory Stick types, and include the likes of SDHC, microSD and Memory Stick Micro. Maximum transfer speed is 480Mbps. [full story]

December 3 - 10:10am EST   QuickerTek Monday introduced a wireless upgrade for MacBook Pro owners. The new ExpressCard wireless adapter adds 802.11b/g/n WiFi access for maximum networking compatibility using triple antennas located outside of the "wireless signal-degrading (but beautiful) 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro case." In addition, the wireless upgrade also works with all Apple AirPort Base Stations including the 802.11n AirPort Extreme from Apple. The company said that the triple antennas provide the highest speed MIMO specification wireless performance and that virtually any wireless network running 802.11b/g/n equipment on 2.4GHz range is available. The MacBook Pro Wireless ExpressCard ... [full story]