My keyboard hates me. It hasn’t told me yet, but I feel it every day. You see, I can’t eat in the kitchen. It’s boring. I’ve been eating while staring at a screen for years, and this means that a large amount of food ends up inside the keyboard. Not good at all.
My keyboard would definitely appreciate the Keyboard Vacuum. It even has four attachments to get to every crumb or dust bunny! The problem with this kind of vacuums is usually power… and that, I don’t know if it has. But so far it looks like the best vacuum of this type I’ve seen. And, unlike desk vacuums, it does something very useful and difficult to accomplish otherwise.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $15 on UncommonGoods.com.
Nowadays, everything is USB powered. Unfortunately, “everything” means too many devices for the USB ports most of us have. The solution, we all know, is USB hubs. Since there’s not much innovation you can bring to the basic device, companies struggle to make attractive designs.
The USB Runner Hub is one of the winners. First, it looks cool. Second, it has 4 USB ports, located in the base and in the man’s hand, leg and briefcase (the latter even spins 180 degrees), so you should be able to fit any size and shape of device in at least one of them.
The only downside it that it takes up too much space. If you’re looking for something small, choose another hub. If you’re looking for a hub/decoration, this is a good idea.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12 on Brando.com.hk.
Via Coolest Gadgets
How would you feel to pass by your faithful employees and realize they were not, in fact, hard at work at that report, but instead they were engaged in a thrilling game of multiplayer Hearts? Not happy, I presume.
Sorry, there’s no solution for preventing this (except for deleting all games, filtering internet access etc.), but there is a way of making you at least think they’re working. A month ago we all saw the Phantom Mouse. Now we’ve got the USB Smart Privacy Mouse. The principle is the same: look busy by pushing one button.
You can choose from one of its three modes: hide current window, hide all windows and hide all windows except the ones defined by you, which I find very useful. Just make Yahoo Messenger dissapear and Excel pop up – Hey boss, this report is taking longer that I thought!, or hide that *ahem* interesting website from your mum and act like you were just writing the paper for tomorrow.
Besides, it’s cheaper and looks much better than the Japanese version.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on USBFever.com.
Via OhGizmo!
When your screen looks fuzzy, don’t be quick to blame the display manufacturer. Put one finger on the screen, move in a line. If the image suddenly becomes clear, wipe the whole thing and stop being a slob!
Maybe you need an incentive. How about a fluffy car? It’s officially called a Racing car computer screen cleaner, but it’s really a plush car with a soft underside, perfect for picking up dust without scratching your precious electronic equipment. Also good if you have kids and want to teach them to take care of their computer.
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$13.80 on Alt-Gifts.co.uk.
Via ShinyShiny
Finally, an explanation for all this Space Invaders merchandise that keeps popping up lately: it’s the 30th anniversary of the game. Space Invaders is already a cult game, and it’s still not gone from the public eye. It was one of the games included with my mobile phone and it provided me with a great way of killing time during long waits.
Fans who were unable to enjoy their bath without Space Invaders themed items can rejoice: here’s the Space Invaders 30th Anniversary Bath Towel. It comes in three models, all pictured above, and, unlike other collector items, it’s actually useful. Reasonably priced, nice looking… great gift for a game-lover.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.90 on ShopNCSX.com.
Via Fosfor Gadgets
Here’s another item in the series of weird mice. This time, it’s actually interesting – though I doubt it works very well.
The innovation of the Wrist Pad Optical Mouse is the silica gel rest for the wrist, which is supposed to make using the mouse more comfortable. Great idea, I say. I haven’t (yet) got any Repetitive Stress Injury, but working on the computer all day in a not-very-good position is not very nice for my hands.
However… I think it would be difficult to move the mouse around if you have the wrist pad trailing after it. I hope I’m not right, though, because I really love the idea of being able to use my laptop with no pain even when I want to lounge on my couch instead of sitting at a desk.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on USBFever.com.
Via Gadgetizer
Not all of you people reading this blog remember the golden period of video games (to be honest, neither do I), but virtually everyone who’s a bit of a gamer or a geek or internet addict knows Space Invaders. (You don’t? Here’s a link to Wikipedia, and you can find dozens of simulators online.)
Either as a a form of nostalgia or as a geek statement, the Space Invader Necklace is very cool. Simple enough not to be tacky, unique, and a suble message for the like minds out there. I’d so wear this.
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$19.50 on JunkieLovers.com.
I got pretty excited when I saw the first envelope-like cover for the new MacBook Air, the AirMail. But this whole thing is getting really old, really fast. Ok, it fits inside an envelope, we get it. Enough already.
Anyway. The InterOffice Envelope Sleeve for the MacBook Air boasts to be “not first, but better” (nice tagline there). And they might be right. It’s made from a high grade water proof and fade proof vinyl and has a scratch proof cotton twill lining. It also has a zipper, so you can at least be sure it won’t fall out.
So yeah, it looks interesting enough. But I’ve got no more excitement left for this.
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.95 on InterOfficeMac.com.
Via TechDigest
Some people have a thing for “n-in-one” products, even when it’s pretty obvious they aren’t any good and. I personally am a bit suspicious of too-many-in-one things, because many times it just means that, instead of having one good function, you get 3 or 5 crappy ones.
Unfortunately, the 3-in-1 Mouse with Speaker and Microphone seems to be the perfect example. First of all, why would you need your mic on a mouse?! It would have to be a pretty damn good one, unless you’re willing to keep your face at desk level during a conversation (so you won’t see the display, so you won’t be able to use the mouse) or to lift the mouse (so you won’t be able to use the mouse, again). And, at $15.99, I doubt it can perform one function well enough, let alone three.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $15.99 on USBFever.com.
Via Gadgetizer
Ever since I bought my own furniture, I’ve noticed I’m a lot more careful around it… I’ve even started using coasters!
Well, actually I started using coasters because I found a set of cool ones. Cooler than these ones or not? I’m not sure. The Circuitboard Coasters are definitely innovative. Who’d have thought to make coasters out of old circuitboards? They come in a set of six, in a box with its very own circuitboard top.
Probably only appreciated by computer geeks, but at least you’ll know they’re unique! (they’re made out of different circuitboards, of course.)
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on ThinkGeek.com.
