USB Gadgets
Some of the craziest PC gadgets we come across are USB. Many are wacky or just plain pointless but we do get the odd USB gadget that is useful as well as fun.
Whether you are looking for the latest in USB flash disk, the coolest USB toy or the most useless USB gadget imaginable this is the right CG section for you.
The 5 in 1 Connection Kit – More of Whats Missing for your iPad
Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPad! I take it with me everywhere and I use it for just about everything, an address book, appointment calendar, Internet searching, entertainment… I wanted to put pictures on it, but that required a special dongle thingy. Hey, come to think of it there’s quite a few things my iPad could do, things it probably should do.
So now what? Funny you should ask, you’re probably already puzzled as to why there’s no SD card slot, there’s no way to connect your camera without buying the Apple dongle thingy, there’s no USB port for charging, there’s no data port for external devices, you ARE asking yourself why, are you not? Well, with the 5-in-1 connection kit you still wont know why, but it simply wont matter anymore.
The kit includes a singular iPad (original and 2) compatible dongle that supports iOS 4.0 or better, and allows you to connect your iPad to a TV for video playback, utilize an SD card for data transfer, a computer for data sync and a keyboard for data input and DC for picture and video input.
Of course with your iPad being more of a “reader” of graphics files not everything you plug into the sucker will do what you want it to, and the manufacturer also suggests that you don’t plug in more than one thing at a time
So admittedly your trusty little iPad will still not be perfect, but it’ll be just a little bit closer and do a few more of the things you always hoped for. Isn’t that nice? The 5 in 1 Connector Kit is available from usbfever.com for under 40 bucks.
source: www.usbfever.com
Logitech Touch Mouse M600 adds touch capability
The regular mouse is a pointing peripheral that does nothing more than help you control a cursor on the screen to make interacting with the computer easier, but how many leaps of improvements have been made over the years? Not that many as say, TV or phone technology, which is why we are rather pleased to hear that Logitech’s latest release, the Logitech Touch Mouse M600 might just change the way we see and use the mouse. Being inspired by how one navigates on smartphones and tablets, this is a gesture-based mouse which will follow the natural movements of your hands.
Mousing (if there is such a verb) would be like second nature to you, where you are able to scroll, swipe and surf wherever your fingertips rest on the mouse. Of course, having said that, the mouse itself is not a bulky device, but at least the surface of the mouse is far more interactive than ever before instead of being a regular plastic shell that we are all so used to. Not only that, it does not matter whether you are right-handed like the most of us, or are a southpaw, the Logitech Touch Mouse M600 will work just as well either way.
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Andru – your USB Charger, your Friend
Sometimes, while I sit at my desk and toil away the hours working on my computer, I get lonely. It only stand to reason that I would enjoy the company of a friend. My perfect friend would be one that doesnt comment on my work, doesnt eat my food and wont make any noise while I’m trying to concentrate!
So please welcome Andru! You probably recognize him as a little Android, but he is also a nifty little green phone charger made especially for Android phones, although of course, he will graciously charge any USB-powered device you would like to entrust him with. He comes with a micro-USB plug,but you can also use your own. Continue reading » Andru – your USB Charger, your Friend
USB Cup Warmer
There is nothing quite like a piping hot cup of joe to kick start your day in the morning, and the bane of drinking coffee (apart from its reported side effects, of course) would be the rate at which it becomes cold – making what some deem to be a heaven-sent beverage taste like plastic (or any other kinds of unmentionable adjectives of your choice). Well, if you need your caffeine shot while you code line after line with a tight deadline to meet, make sure it is piping hot as always. You can either drink from a Thermos or a heat retaining mug, or use the £8.99 USB Cup Warmer.
Definitely useful as it ensures your hot drinks remain hot – and for longer periods of time, of course. All you need to do is make sure that your computer as an available USB port, and place your cup on top of it. It will fit most cups and slim mugs, and will also have a DC to USB cable just in case you want to plug it into any available power outlet at that point in time. Just make sure it remains out of reach of children – the hot plate will obviously get hot!
Soladec Device Charger – Not for Vampires
I don’t come from a long line of outdoor enthusiasts, in fact most folks that know me know that a day away from the comforts of home, you know like electricity and indoor plumbing, is a fate worse than death. It stands to reason that my daughter wants to camp more than anything in the world…
Thank heavens for the Soladec Charger, with its ability to charge over 3500 different electronic devices with nothing but the power of the sun, the Soladec Hybrid Solar Powered Charger by MiseMet is designed to provide free solar energy right out of the box, from the sky… to your electronics, no outlet required. Continue reading » Soladec Device Charger – Not for Vampires
USB Floppy Disk Drive
The famous 5.25″ floppy – single-sided or double-sided, sir? Imagine swapping such disks when playing games, and installation proved to be a pain when you have seven, nay, eight of these floppies to go through. 3.5″ floppies were far sturdier and less prone to damage, so why not usher in a modern interpretation of a retro device? The £26.99 USB Floppy Disk Drive is as what it says – all you need to do is plug this into any available USB port, and it is capable of transferring all 1.44MB of data on a 3.5″ floppy disk over to your computer. Pretty pointless actually, and in this day and age, probably the only things you can carry around on the floppy would be a couple of sized down images and perhaps a text file or two.
If you are one who basks in nostalgia, and would love to hear the sounds that come from a floppy disk drive of old being read, then this is it. Otherwise, it would still make for a great conversation starter, and there is even the classic LED which lights up when plugged in to indicate power, read and write activity.
Dexim pimps up your bland, ordinary USB cable
Dexim ensures you have the hottest USB cable among your peers the next time they drop by your home, or better yet – you bring your computer over to their place under the pretense of a LAN party. After all, most of the USB cables that you see out there are covered in rubber – they do not glow, and who would have thought that a bunch of LEDs would be integrated within the cable itself? Apparently, Dexim did, hence churning out the DWA065WL Universal USB Charge & Sync Cable that will rely on the wonders of integrated blue LEDS which are capable of scrolling marquee style, along the path of your existing connection. This cable measures 80cm in length, and will have a universal USB connector at one end and a microUSB connector on the other.
Apparently, this cable will work with a slew of smartphones and gadgets which hail from the houses of HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Blackberry, Nokia and Motorola. While Apple was not listed, to enjoy a USB cable that is lighted up like a Christmas tree will require a similarly priced lighted USB cable. Definitely a sight to behold, especially if you love computing in that dark, dark room of yours. Do prepare around $25.50 for Dexim’s creation if you are interested.
Victorinox SSD stick goes up to 1TB
I know most people think Swiss Army knives when they think Victorinox, but they put out many memory sticks.
While at CES, I managed to see one of the newest Victorinox memory sticks, which has a whopping 1 TB of space. It also comes pre-loaded with a software suite with 256 AES combination hardware and software encryption for “un-hacked, iron clad security for all of your important files” There is also an integrated bi-stable LCD graphic display that allows users to record what is stored on the drive and displays the available .
Continue reading » Victorinox SSD stick goes up to 1TB
