20 Goofy USB Gadgets & Gizmos
Dress up your desktop and entertain (or annoy) your co-workers with these wacky USB-powered gadgets, from cubicle stink-busters to toasters that print the morning news on your breakfast.
USB Warmer Slippers (Wired/Wireless) and Gloves
Distributor: RareMonoShop.com
Price: USB Warmer Slippers, $29.50 plus shipping; USB Warmer Gloves, $22.50 plus shipping
What It Is: Fuzzy slippers and mittens with removable finger-covers that feature built-in, USB-powered "warmers" for those frosty winter work days. You can even modify the temperature while they’re in use.
Why You Want It: Because you’ll never finish up those TPS reports with icy fingers and frozen toes-zen.
TimeCap
Manufacturer: Chi Ha Paura
Price: NA
What It Is: A "digital urn" of sorts, Chi Ha Paura’s TimeCap necklace and pendant "hold the ’digital’ dust of a deceased person whether in the shape of pictures, videos etc."
Why You Want It: USB jewelry is the ultimate in geek chic...and you get to wear an urn around your neck without the um, hassle of the traditional alternative.
USB Scan Toaster
Manufacturer: Sung Bae Chang, a design student at Sejong University in South Korea.
Price: NA
What It Is: This USB-powered toaster that "prints" text and images onto bread or other compatible materials was one of nine finalists out of more than 600 entries from 49 countries in last year’s Electrolux Design Lab competition.
Why You Want It: It’s a toaster that connects to a computer and prints out news, weather reports and much more onto your breakfast. ’Nuff said.
Drumming Santa, Snowman
Distributor: USB.Brando.com
Price: $18
What It Is: Funky Santa Claus and/or Snowman that plays five classic Christmas tunes and drums along with the beat. Flashing blue lights add to the festivities.
Why You Want It: Because it’s Christmas every day in your office...or at least it should be.
Wrist Band Battery
Manufacturer: USB.Brando.com
Price: $35 plus shipping
What It Is: A portable, rechargeable 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery that straps directly to your wrist to help ensure that none of your gadgets ever run out of juice. The unit comes with nine separate connectors, to fit an army of gizmos.
Why You Want It: Because your BlackBerry, iPhone, or other favorite gadget, constantly dies at the most inopportune moments...and because you’re always looking for gnarly new wearable gadgetry.