Sonnet Introduces Yin*Yang FireWire Mini Hub ($70)

Sonnet Technologies Inc. introduced the Yin*Yang FireWire 800 to FireWire 400/800 Mini Hub. This handy device enables users to connect a FireWire 800 device plus a FireWire 400 device to a computer simultaneously through a single FireWire 800 port.

FireWire 800 is a fast peripheral connection included on the latest iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro computers. These Macs (with the exception of the Mac Pro) have only a single FireWire 800 (IEEE-1394b) port and no FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) port. This limitation poses a challenge when the need arises to connect a FireWire 400 device or more than one FireWire device. The solution is a Yin*Yang FireWire Mini Hub. Two FireWire peripherals, such as external drives, DV camcorders, Webcams, audio interfaces, and previous-generation iPod mobile digital devices, can be concurrently connected. No adapter or cable swapping is required.

Yin*Yang is small and portable, and it supports one bus-powered device (on either port). The hub housing, measuring 1.9 by 1.5 by 0.6 inches, is about the size of a matchbox, and the attached host cable is 3 inches (8 cm) long. Yin*Yang requires no power adapter, needs no driver software, and works with all manufacturers’ FireWire peripherals.

Yin*Yang (part number FHB-8284) is available, with a suggested retail price of $69.95.