Quirky USB Gadgets to Accessorise Your Desk

Quirky USB Gadgets to Accessorise Your Desk

You can use the ubiquitous USB port on your computer for more than just boring memory devices and dongles. Karan Bajaj rounds up some cute and useful conversation starters

Handy Microscope 

This lightweight and easy-to-use microscope offers up to 200X magnification. It has a 2MP sensor that records stills and video which can be directly saved to a computer. It also has 8 LEDs built-in, which combined with the microscope's automatic light contrast can deliver sharp images. It also offers a live view of the magnification on the connected computer. 

Get it for 3,250 from ebay.in

Super WiFi Antenna 

Having trouble with poor WiFi reception in your room or office? Get the USB powered super WiFi antenna that boosts your laptop's ability to receive a WiFi signal. It is weather resistant, so you can even place it outside if the Wi-Fi router is on a different floor. The device comes with suction mounts to help stick it on glass.

Get it for US$ 120 from www.firststreetonline.com 

Cute Toast Handwarmers 

These smiling toast-shaped gloves are universal size & have an adjustable strap. Plug them in to switch on the built-in heating. You can choose the level of warmth (only two levels of heat; low or high) and it takes a few minutes to warm up. Since they don't cover your fingers, you can even use them while typing on a keyboard — good news for anyone in an office where the air-conditioning is kept on full 

blast.

Get it for US$ 31.99 from www.thinkgeek.com

The Squirming Tentacle 

The squirming tentacle doesn't serve any purpose other than being a conversation starter. Plug it in and it instantly starts wiggling and squirming as if it's alive. Plug a few of them into a USB hub and it will look like you have a small octopus trapped on your desk. 

Get it for US$ 14.99 from www. thinkgeek.com

Bladeless Fan 

The USB powered desk fan has a bladeless design — no danger of any injury and nothing to get caught in rotating blades. It has a brushless motor that draws in air from the back and pushes it out through the bladeless ring. The airflow is steady but not too powerful — just enough for personal use. It includes a removable sponge — soak the sponge in water  to get cold air from the fan. You can power it via USB or with four AA batteries. 

Get it for 2,000 from ebay.in 

Heated Blanket 

Made of plush, comforable material, this heating blanket has two USB cables for power; use it with one USB port for low heat and connect both USB ports for high heating. It uses an infrared carbon fibre heating wire which supposedly has therapeutic health benefits for people with high blood pressure, heart conditions and arthritis. With both USB cables connected, the blanket heats up to around 50 

degrees Celcius. 

Get it for 1,600 from ebay.in

Desk Fishquarium 

If you're looking to brighten up your desk & take in the calming benefits of live fish, why not get a Fishquarium? It has an LED light, space to keep your office stationary, a built-in clock, calendar and temperature sensor as well as a tiny aquarium. The USB connection is required for a low voltage pump and filtration system. The clock and calendar uses three AA batteries. 

Get it for US$ 39.99 from www.thinkgeek.com

Folding Piano 

Nothing like a foldable, hide-away USBpowered keyboard to bring out the buding musician in you. This piano offers ifferent tones and even a built in drum pad. It's also great for kids because it's pill-proof, unbreakable and has no keys hat can chip or fall out. Can also be powred using three AA batteries. 

Get it for US$ 40 from www.dx.com 

Portable Drum Kit 

With this nifty gadget, you can carry six different drums in your backpack – all powered by a USB port. The pads are made of silicon, so you know it's durable. A pair of plastic drumsticks are included, as is a software CD to help record/playback the drums on a computer (Windows only). It's not really a serious musicians instrument since it only recognises one tap (one beat) at a time, but good for a laugh. 

Get it for US$ 23 from www.dx.com

Toaster Hub Thumbdrives 

This quirky, 4-port USB hub resembles a retro style toaster — the USB ports face upwards and it also includes an SD card reader on the side. The fun part is you can also purchase USB drives in the shape of toast that fit perfectly on the toaster hub. Each 4GB toast-shaped USB drive is US$ 19.99 and is available in four different shades of brown. 

Get it for US$ 19.99 from www.thinkgeek.com

Courtesy : Techtonic, Time of India dated 03-04-2013