BIOS: Technology Means Business

LaCie has unveiled a stylish hub designed exclusively for LaCie by Ora-Ïto. The LaCie Huby (pronounced hub-ee) includes two FireWire and four USB ports for easily connecting a variety of peripherals.

Its round shape, glossy white polycarbonate finish and flexible cables give it a distinctive, modern look never before seen in a hub.

“LaCie has a history of merging innovative technology with forward-thinking design, for which we consistently receive accolades,” says Alexis Kobassian, LaCie Product Manager. “Even something as simple as a hub can be viewed as a design object. LaCie Huby’s unique shape sets it apart from any other hub on the market. It serves a function, but we also hope it sparks conversation about technology and design.”

LaCie Huby works with Mac OS, Windows and Linux, allowing users to connect up to six devices simultaneously. It comes fully equipped with eight flexible, twistable cables to instantly connect external storage devices, printers, media readers, keyboards, mice and more. Eight glowing LEDs indicate when a device is plugged in, with a different color for each port: white, violet, green, red, yellow, orange, blue and pink. Additional LaCie Hubys can be daisy-chained via FireWire or USB for extra connectivity options. LaCie Huby also ships with a USB fan and small USB light.

LaCie worked with designer Ora-Ïto in 2005 to develop the exclusive LaCie Brick Hard Drive, a colorful set of stackable external drives that look like giant building blocks. His extensive portfolio includes L’Oréal, Vogue Magazine, Heineken, Adidas, Kenzo, electronic musicians AIR, Honda, Guerlain, Swatch and Nike.

LaCie Huby is available for pre-order online and widely available via LaCie’s specialised dealer network later this month at the suggested retail price of $79. It comes with eight flexible cables (five USB 2.0 and three FireWire 400), USB extension cable, FireWire 400 extension cable, and a fan and light that can be plugged in to the ports.

About Ora-Ïto Though his name implies a Japanese background, designer Ora-Ïto is French. A do-it-all designer, he was barely 20 years old when he created the very first virtual brand in 1998. Propelled to the front of the international scene, he then started prestigious collaborations with L’Oréal, Vogue Magazine, Heineken, Adidas, Kenzo, electronic musicians AIR, Honda, Guerlain, Swatch and Nike.

More information on the Huby can be found at www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10854

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