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I have a very strong dislike for data cables, which is the main reason I chose not to get an iPod (even though that made me officially uncool). Connecting my camera to the computer via cable is a complicated affair (I have to find the cable first!), so one of the best things about my admitedly shitty laptop is its card reader; one of the bad things is that it only reads 6 or so types of cards. And there’s more: good: it can read my camera card; bad: but not the one in my mobile phone.

I was duly impressed by the iMONO 80-in-1 High Speed Card Reader. I mean… whoa, that’s a lot! It connects to your PC via USB and then you can transfer data from any card type you can imagine. (My phone card is even pictured in the promo shot!)

In case you are still wondering if your particular card is included among the 80, here’s the complete list:
* CF I / CF II / CF 3.0 / EXTREME III CF / EXTREME CF / ULTRA II CF / HS CF / XS-XS CF / CF ELITE PRO / CF PRO / CF PRO II / CF 4.0 / IBM MD / HITACHI MD / MAGIC STOR MD
*MS / MS PRO / MS DUO / MS PRO DUO / MS MG PRO / MS MG / MS MG DUO / MS MG PRO DUO / EXTREME MS PRO / MS SELECT / EXTREME III MS PRO / ULTRA II MS PRO / HS MS MG PRO / HS MS MG PRO DUO / HS MS PRO / HS MS PRO DUO / MS ROM / MS PRO HU DUO
* SD / MINI SD / HS MINI SD / EXTREME SD / EXTREME III DS / ULTRA SD / ULTRA II SD / ULTRA II SD PLUS / SD-ULTRA-X / ULTRA SPEED SD / SD PRO / SDHC / SD ELITE PRO / HS SD / MMC / MMC 4.0 / HS MMC / HS RS MMC / RS MMC / RS MMC 4.0 / MMC MOBILE / MMC PLUS / MMC 4.2
*Micro SD (T-Flash)
* x-picture / x-picture 1.21
* M2

How much under $29.99?
Some: $19 on Brando.com.hk.

Via Gear Diary

It might come as a shock to some, but older, otherwise perfectly working computers don’t have Bluetooth. A few years ago, USB was enough. However, today there are many more Bluetooth-enabled devices available and having to keep plugging them in gets annoying after a while.

For the less techy: this doesn’t mean you need a new computer. You can go for an external device, such as the SIYOTEAM USB Card Reader + Bluetooth Combo. Just plug it into a free USB port and enjoy the Bluetooth. But it’s not all: you also get a card reader which can be used with a very wide range of cards (basically, if you have a memory card, chances are it can read it).

I have to say that, for me, this would be perfect. My computer is Bluetooth-impaired, so with this combo I could easily download the photos in my phone, and at the same time the card reader would help me bypass the data cable needed to connect my camera to the PC. (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I hate extra cables.)

How much under $29.99?
Some: $15 on USBGeek.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Have you ever found yourself with a lot of USB drives? And a lot of memory cards? And the urge to use all of them at the same time?

Then you need the UFO Combo Card Reader + 7-Port Hub. It features a whooping 7 USB ports and 7 memory slots, supporting basically everytime of memory card you can think about: CF / T-Flash / MicroSD / M2 / Mini SD / SD / MMC Mirco / MMC / XD / SM / MS / MS Duo.

Could one person actually use all those? I seriously doubt it. Could be useful if you managed to make it a shared device on a network, though. And anyway, it looks like an UFO! That’s gotta count for something.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $29.90 on Gadget4All.com.

Via OhGizmo!

A cube is something with equal sides, right? I remember at least that much from secondary school maths. So the Mini Cube Multi-in-one Card Reader is definitely not a cube, because it measures 35 x 35 x 17mm. Misleading name aside, the little gadget is pretty cool.

Best of all, it’s small, so you won’t even know it’s there. It reads all kinds of cards, so you can use it with all your devices. Probably not recommended for messy people, since its size also means it can be easily lost, but it’s perfect for throwing in your bag and remembering it when needed.

Too bad it’s not a real cube, I think it would’ve looked better.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12 on Gadget4All.com.

We’ve seen a bunch of card readers that did all sorts of weird and/or useless things: detect fake banknotes, look like an ugly can or a heart and so on.

Experience said that something called USB Mirror Card Reader is another stupid supposedly “geeky” gadget, probably hot pink and aimed at girls. I was only right on one aspect: it is targeted at the female population. Unbelievably, it comes in grey and blue, no pink in sight! And, even more difficult to believe, I kind of… like it. The card reader supports basically every type of card (M2 / T-Flash / MicroSD / Mini SD DIRECTLY / SDHC / SD / Memory Stick PRO / Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick Pro Duo / MMC / MMC-II / RS MMC / MMC Plus) and a mirror is useful. I carry a mirror around anyway, so why take 2 things along when I can use just one?

How much under $29.99?
Some: $15 on Gadget4All.com.

Via ShinyShiny

Not another many-in-one gadget! Another one, I’m sorry. But this one is even crazier than usual…

It has the usual, microSD reader and USB charging cable, but also… a banknote verifier?! “Thanks for the change, now let me pass my ladybug over it to see if it’s real.” Yeah, I can totally see that happening. Are there enough paranoid people to warrant the existence of this wacky gadget? Don’t think so.

I hate long gadget names (and 3-in-1 Ladybug MicroSD Card Reader is definitely one of them) and I’m puzzled by useless functions. Oh well, at least the shape is cute.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $16 on Brando.com.hk.

Via DVICE

It seems USB cable that closes in on itself is the latest hype, because after yesterday’s Ultra Smart Cable we find the USB Smart Cable, which is… exactly the same thing, as far as I can see, only with a (slightly) different name and cheaper.

It features the now-standard microSD card reader, can be used to charge your phone or connect your gadgets to your PC and you can choose the type of connector that fits your device: Mini USB, Mini USB 18 Pin, Mini USB 20 Pin or Nokia DC 2.0.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9 on USBGeek.com.

Via Engadget

The Plug It was a great idea: an USB cable that closed on itself and could be used as a keychain. But that was not everything that could be done with the idea.

The Ultra-Smart Cable boasts many more functions: USB Charging+Data Strap+microSD Card Reader+Data Storage. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, since it can only be used for storage when a microSD is attached, and the rest is just basic USB cable functionality, but heh, they want to sell their product.

However, I still like the idea of a cable you can easily carry around with you, and the fact that it is also a card reader only adds to its appeal.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $14 on Brando.com.hk.

Via BoingBoing

One of my major problems with computers is cables. If I want to connect anything to a computer, I need a cable. Camera, e-book reader, MP3 player, phone, everything needs a cable. And, really, if you’re going to the park you’re not gonna carry the data cable with you just in case you end up at Mary’s place and she wants the photos (but it always happens).

A tiny portable card reader would be great help, and the Mini Pocketable USB MicroSD/T-Flash Card reader is one suggestion. As you can see in the photo, it’s really small, can be attached to your keys so that you don’t lose it and plugs in directly into an USB port.

Unfortunately the downside is immediately apparent: it only reads two types of cards. If you need it for something else… tough luck, get a real card reader or take the cables along with you.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.99 on USBFever.com.

Via Gadgetizer

I’m starting to get tired of silly designs when it comes to computer accessories. The line between ‘interestingly quirky’ and ‘dumb’ is a thin one. However, people must buy these things if companies keep making them, I suppose.

If you’re one of those who don’t feel comfortable having something simple on your desk, check out the Canned Shape Card Reader + 3-port Hub Combo II (I’m sorry, I didn’t choose the name, let’s just call it a “can card reader”). It’s an useful device: it can read SD, SDHC, MMC, XD, Memory Stick Pro, CF, T-flash/Micro SD and it is also a 3-port USB hub.

It’s also shaped like a can. Why? Beats me. It would’ve been interesting if it looked like a real can, with some kind of design on it, but it’s plain silver.

I don’t know why the shape is supposed to be a selling point. The reasons I’d buy it for have to do with functionality, not looks, and I would go for a different, normal shaped device if it could do the same things.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $20 on Brando.com.hk.

Via TechDigest