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Dongle promises to turn laptop into DVR

OK, we admit to being somewhat harsh at times on USB keys and sticks, especially when they appear to be getting too big for their gold-plated britches. But our beef mostly has been with their necessity, or lack thereof.

None of that would apply to AMD's latest invention if it does just half the things the company says it can do. The "ATI TV Wonder 600" USB dongle promises to turn your laptop into a DVR, even for high-definition stuff, and you can do even more with AMD's new PC card for desktops. As CrunchGear notes, … Read more

A USB motorbike engine for the desktop

The people at Japan's SolidAlliance are apparently as hard-working as their products are diverse. Think about it: This is the same company that produces disco ball mice, gold USB drives and UFO detectors. And those are only the things we know about.

What could possibly top those acts? Try a desktop replica of a motorcycle engine, complete with vibration and sound effects. You can even control the revs of the USB-powered engine hub by pushing the kick pedal, according to Fareastgizmos--perfect for that final stretch at work as you head toward the finish line for Miller time. We're … Read more

'File Folder' USB drive for pack rats like us

Yeah, we know--we're sick of USB drives too. But just when we were about to impose a moratorium on them, along comes Art Lebedev Studio with one that we can't resist.

It figures that the exception would come from the celebrated Russian design house, whose avant-garde Optimus keyboards--the "Maximus" and the still-unpronounceable "Upravlator"--have been among the most lusted-after products in the gadget world for some time. Unlike those groundbreaking products, however, Engadget notes that the "Finger Folder" flash drive is notable for its whimsical simplicity.

It also solves a personal problem … Read more

Bug the neighbors with an MP3 doorbell

This ringtone business has gone too far. It's one thing for everyone to have a "signature" tune for the cell phone, and we can even live with customized land lines. But doorbells? Enough already.

What used to be a DIY thing has now gone mass market with the "USB Doorbell," a device that lets you play any MP3 file instead of the usual chime for up to 30 seconds, according to Everything USB--which, depending on your taste in music, could easily seem like an eternity to an unsuspecting visitor. For just $100, you too can … Read more

Don't we all need a USB letter opener?

How many times have you sat around wishing that you had a combination alarm clock and letter opener with a four-port USB hub? Yeah, we've lost count too.

But our prayers have been answered by a company in China, naturally, where entrepreneurs have proved willing to produce practically any idea--regardless of whether anyone needs it. No price is listed by Shenzhen Sunstars Electronics for the combo letter opener, which we spotted on Red Ferret, but we're guessing that it won't break the bank. And the alarm clock will keep you from falling asleep at the desk, so … Read more

Where there's gold, there must be USB

It's hard to believe, but there was actually a time when gold USB drives were a rare commodity. Now, it seems like a rare week when we don't see one. But that, of course, won't stop us from rolling another one out.

And how can we resist, given the bargains that are to be had these days? The latest model from Israel's E-Jewel, for example, is a 14k specimen that holds 4GB of data for a mere $2,000, according to Coolest-Gadgets. That's a third less than the $3,500 key we cited only a … Read more

Porcelain USB drive for the dinner table

It's always nice to see some individualism expressed in technology, especially when it's bucking a trend. A lot of macho USB storage keys, for example, tout their toughness in surviving everything from nuclear blasts to being run over by a car. But this 1GB porcelain USB drive takes the opposite approach as it "turns the traditional notion of a memory stick on its head and offers a hand crafted, beautifully glazed piece of technology in a non-tech body," according to Charles & Marie. It even comes in its own dainty little hand-knit pouch, as Uber-Review notes.… Read more

Porcelain Memory

Is memory no longer precious? With USB keys being given away as the cheap schwag of the day... cellphones and mp3 players supporting gigs and gigs of data... tiny cards full of data that you toss around your desk as you switch between digicams... What do you use to keep your important data? How do you give them the special storage space they deserve? How about these Porcelain Memory sticks on sale at Charles and Marie? As described on Charles and Marie "Mokkatanten sort of translates to 'elderly aunts drinking coffee and bickering' - not quite what the two … Read more

The hot trend in designer jewelry: USB keys

We were only kidding (sort of) when speculating recently about USB drives becoming a niche market for designer jewelers, but we think it's actually come true. The reason: Where previous versions basically added some bling finishes to what otherwise seemed to be plain old USB keys, they're function is now being incorporating into the design.

The latest example comes from Italian designer Roberto Coin, a white gold bauble encrusted with diamonds. But more than just sticking the stones on the case, like some lesser Swarovski item, the "Sparkling Memory" allows the working USB portion to swivel … Read more