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Anyware Computer Accessories

Anyware Computer Accessories was founded in 2000 and as the name suggests it makes computer accessories. These accessories include many standard products (like external hard disc racks, wireless USB network adapters, card readers, USB hubs, keyboards and mice) that are made by most other manufacturers too, but also some special ones (like smart remote controls, USB to S-ATA/IDE adapters with special features, speaker/card reader/USB hub combos …etc) that are worth examining. We’ll find out later which accessories are actually made by Anyware.

PI-FHB05-EGG looks like an egg, but sounds like a speaker and can be used as a card reader and USB hub.

Although it doesn’t do anything special, it is a very practical product, ideal for people who don’t need very powerful speakers and have little available desk space for all sorts of cables and accessories. There are two things that are not clear about this device. It can be found on the website of a manufacturer called PI Manufacturing Corp., so it’s more likely that Anyware just sells it or it bought the license. The other unclear thing is about the type of connection it uses, just USB or USB + 3.5mm stereo jack ? On the back of the main speaker there is one port in the middle that isn’t specified what it’s for.

Another interesting device is a mouse combined with a keypad, a crossover that resulted in a very big mouse or a small keypad. Either way it doesn’t seem very practical, although it makes some sense for right handed users to cover the keypad while they’re using the mouse, because usually the keypad is also used by the right hand.

The other mouse + keypad combo is more practical, because it’s easier to switch from using one device to using the other. They are also in a very comfortable position, your hand practically stays in the same position when using either device.

On newegg.com it’s listed as “currently unavailable”, but AnywareUS is specified as the manufacturer and mediagateusa.com as the official website. Usually if a bigger manufacturer unites with a smaller one, it moves the product support page to its own website (ex: when AMD purchased ATI or Seagate purchased Maxtor). There isn’t enough information on their websites to determine how they are related, but feel free to leave a comment if you figure it out.

In the keyboard category Anyware has two flexible and water resistant keyboards: FOLD-2000 (PS2) and FOLD-3000 (USB).

They are basically the same product, with different plug type (PS2/USB) and color. Keyboards are known to be the main target of coffee and other kinds of drink spills, and also they are usually full of bacteria, so the water resistance feature solves both of these problems.

ME-600 OTG is another practical accessory from Anyware Computer Accessories.

It’s a battery powered external hard disk rack that also serves as a backup device on the go for any simple storage unit with a USB port such as USB flash drives, mp3 players, 2.5” external hard drives, digital cameras …etc. Yes, external hard drives too because the internal Li-Ion battery can provide enough power for almost any 2.5” notebook hard drive. According to my calculations 2 x 3.6V x 780mA can provide 2 x 5V x 500mA (500mA being the maximum power allowed on a single USB 2.0 port in a computer).

Almost 1 year has passed since Windows 7 was released, but Anyware still advertises its remotes as Vista Remote controls for Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate.

It’s unclear whether GP-IR02BK will work on Windows 7 or not, but its capabilities clearly recommend it for any present and future operating system.

The special feature of this remote is that it can imitate any infrared remote signal by learning, and not just by selecting it from a list like most universal remote controls work, although Anyware didn’t specify how it does that exactly, please comment if you know.