The USB Ashtray Predicts When You’ll Die

You can buy USB gadgets to perform any number of useful and entirely useless functions. Some are designed merely to look good sat on your desktop while others actually have a genuine purpose. The USB ashtray kind of falls under the category of serving a genuine purpose while serving a purpose that probably doesn’t really work and scaring you half to death. Yes, it’s an ash tray and yes it’s supposed to cut down on the smell and vapour of nicotine that’s hanging around in the air but it also monitors your smoking habit and will predict roughly when you’re going to die from lung cancer.

Is it accurate? We don’t know because nobody’s around to ask unfortunately, but the egg shaped USB ashtray is definitely a unique USB gadget that serves more purpose than the average USB George Foreman grill or the USB Noodle Strainer; although we do question why it’s egg shaped but perhaps we’re missing a glaringly obvious link here. The USB ashtray isn’t going to be much use at work or in any Internet cafes or WiFi hotspots, of course, but it could be useful at home should you wish to reduce the amount of smoke and the smell of nicotine.

As far as USB gadgets go, the ashtray is actually a pretty useful one. The powered fan essentially sucks the smoke through a deodoriser although it does have to be plugged in to the PC to work because it doesn’t run off separate batteries which is a bit of a shame but then we are talking about a USB ashtray so it does kinda make sense.

USB chess game hits the market

While some gadgets never seem to catch on that is not an accusation which can be aimed at this excellent USB chess game. However, don’t worry if you are new to the game, have played before or you are an expert – it literally has something for everyone. Simply plug in the USB chess board, arrange the pieces and away you go!

But this is no simple chess set as it allows you to save each game you play, time your moves and much more. It even has an option which will help you when you are stuck for your next move, so whether you want to play a friend or the computer, the options are there. While you move the pieces on the roll up board the device has sensors which allow the data to be passed to the computer for a virtual view of the game. There are also options to email the game play to your friends, take screen shots and restart again if the going gets too tough!

This USB chess game will also help take away the stresses and strains of everyday life and you might even be able to polish up your chess skills!

VCR To PC

If you’re anything like me then you’ve probably still got a pile of old videos lying around. Copies of The Breakfast Club recorded off television and old series of Red Dwarf. The problem is that while deep down we love them, equally deep down we also know that the video collection is never going to get a dusting down and a good watching. Video’s just don’t offer the convenience we’ve come to expect.

The VCR To PC is a convenient little tool designed primarily at sad people like you and I. You simply plug it into your PC, whack the video in and start copying. In no time at al all you could have your entire back copy of Neighbours copied onto the hard drive of your XP or Vista based PC (not Mac though). The Portable Video Files can then be copied from your PC to any compatible mobile or other device.

It costs just under £150 at IWOOT and you’ll need to bag yourself a USB cable because it’s one of those annoying gadgets that you pay £150 for and then you need to shell out another couple of quid to buy a necessary lead.

USB Necktie Cooler

And here we are again relying on our esteemed Japanese counterparts to provide us with some of the world’s most bizarre gadgets and technology you could ever dream. Although, if we’re honest, we find it reasonably unlikely that you’ve ever dreamed of owning a USB necktie cooler. Why carry a fan and wear a tie separately when you can combine the two, right?

The USB necktie cooler obviously plugs into the USB port on your computer and hidden behind the knot of the tie is a small fan. When activated, the fan will blow cool and refreshing air into your face in order to keep you cool. For those occasions when you just have to sit in meetings with the same glazed expression as the model on the left you can use the provided AAA battery pack for power.

It seems a crying shame that, like the Fujitus phone that enables you to watch TV and media files at depths of up to 6m underwater, the USB necktie cooler is only available in Japan although if you look around I feel fairly certain you’ll be able to get one shipped over here or find a supplier that has taken the initiative.

You’ll probably notice from the picture that this is the 2nd version of the necktie cooler. The first incarnation rather foolishly used a full sized desk fan and was causing some serious neck strain.

Capsule Shaped USB Drive

This post is for those that don’t feel particularly comfortable in the crafting of their very own, unique “sawed” off USB drive (I know, I know, but that’s what the creator called it). Fortunately, there’s still plenty of weird, crazy, and simply pointless flash drives available for those that are disinclined to get busy with a craft knife and super glue.

The capsule USB flash drive certainly makes a statement, although it’s not necessarily a positive one. Shaped like a medicine capsule, drives are available in capacity ranging from a meagre 128MB to a reasonably substantial 4GB. Hopefully you won’t find this too difficult to swallow (sorry) but they’re only really available from China so you’ll have to get on Ebay if you’re that desperate for one.

There’s numerous other alternatives out there if you don’t want the capsule. Flash drives have been created to mimic sushi, fish fingers, burgers, saki bottles, and a swiss army knife to name a but a few. It seems that if it can reasonably be hollowed out or a mimic can be created out of vacuum formed plastic then there’s somebody willing to take the plunge and get busy making it – what would the world do without such innovation?

Easily The Coolest Looking USB Drive You’ll Ever Make

First, a cautionary tale – while this is easily the coolest USB drive you’ll ever see, it’s also not in production yet and was created by a home modder of the kind you’ll probably never meet; and if you did I doubt you’d want them round to look at your home set up. However, if you’ve got the time, the patience, and a spare bit of USB cable it is a great way to waste a few minutes.

USB drives already come in a huge variety of disguises but whether you’re wanting a unique approach to personal data security (who exactly is going to think of stealing the torn, burnt, or otherwise decimated USB cable from your PC?) or a completely unique looking USB flash drive this has to be one of the better options available to you.

Check out the Evil Mad Scientist blog to see detailed instructions on how to get your own although we do suggest that you go with a bit of old cable that’s lying around rather than a brand new one. We’ll likely be featuring a few more madcap mods from their website because there’s some incredible stuff on there.

Sim Cards To Replace USB Modem Dongles

Vodafone has stated its belief that laptops will turn their attention away from USB dongles and towards the inclusion of built in Sim cards. The technology has actually already been introduced and is offered by several manufacturers including Dell.

The technology would prove beneficial to consumers because it would be far more convenient than a USB dongle and deals could be brokered between laptop manufacturers and mobile companies that would encourage both sides to advance the technology even further.

Once implemented on a large scale it would potentially mean that consumers would be able to buy a laptop that could connect to a wireless network instantly and easily without the added inconvenience sometimes associated with wireless networks and laptop computers. Increased wireless broadband options will also make the whole collection of technology a much more appealing prospect to the average consumer.

Wireless broadband, now offered by most major mobile transmitters, is fairly limited in its download and upload speeds when compared to traditional broadband connections but this is likely to further increase over time.

The technological advances behind mobile communication and broadband has faced some serious changes in recent years but they continue to keep pleasantly surprising many of us. The question is, what’s next?

MSN I-Buddy

Spend too much time on MSN messenger? Well, who doesn’t? The MSN I-Buddy (which must be good, because they’ve incorporated the seemingly essential “i” into the name) can be programmed so that it reacts to a particular MSN buddy, using its own innovative method to let you know when that buddy has come online, sent a nudge, or sent particular emoticons to you.

We know that your Messenger can be set up to do most of this for you, but the i-buddy does it with a certain type of style and elegance. It’s heart warms when a friend comes online (ahh), it shakes lovingly when they message you (ahhhh), and it will even react to the emoticons used in a message by conveying the particular emotion to you.

Motions include the flapping of its wings, the twisting of its body, and the flashing of its lights. It certianly beats the monotonous beeping and buzzing that usually ruminates from the messenger client although if you have more than one friend on MSN then it’s quite possible that you will need multiple i-buddies each with it’s own name tag and unique interactions. Or, we could just be getting carried away.

The USB Motorbike Engine Hub

On some computers, USB ports can be as rare as hen’s teeth but with more and more USB devices (and awesome USB gadgets) becoming standard, they’re an integral part of your computer setup. A USB hub ensures you have enough USB ports and it can prevent you from having to fish around at the back of your computer if you’ve got a PC that’s been designed by a half witted ferret that puts the most useful features in the most inaccessible places.

The USB Motorbike Engine combines the usefulness of a three port USB hub with the wholesome goodness of USB gadgetry. When you connect the USB hub, the realistic motorbike engine starts (fortunately, the engine does cut off so you don’t have to listen to it continually while using your PC) and you can hear the engine sounds and watch the intricately designed parts whir away.

The hub is plug and play so no messy, and oh-so-often failed installation is required and it’s compatible with both Windows and Mac based platforms. The USB 2.0 compatible device means you don’t have to keep switching wires from your computer to your MP3, digital camera, USB mouse and keyboard, or your USB mini fridge – who could ask for more?

The USB Fridge

If you’ve been watching the football on the BBC or ITV websites, or maybe you’ve been hanging on for some more Apple news – what you need is way to keep your can of Coke cool while you’re at your desktop. Mini fridges have dropped in price but they’re still not the most convenient offering around. It’s hardly practical to have one plugged in on your PC desk is it?

In contrast, the mini USB fridge is perfect – just big enough to hold a single can of pop, or small can of beer it plugs directly into your USB port and takes just 5 minutes to warm up and, err, cool down. Plus, you can pick one up for less than £20 and if you look around you can get them in just about any design and colour.

The one pictured is from usbgeek.com and is a wired version with a 4 foot cable for $30. The same model is available (although the picture features a can of Fanta and doesn’t look anywhere near as good) for £20 from iwantoneofthose.com.

Ok, so it only holds one can, so it won’t reasonably save you that much time walking too and from the kitchen but the can will stay cold as long as it takes you to drink it.

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