I’m writing about a pink USB hub. Indeed. And I *shudder* kind of like it.
Ok, the pink is atrocious, but the hub itself doesn’t suck. It’s called a “7″ Shaped USB Hub but that doesn’t explain it too well: the best thing about it is that it doesn’t take up desk space like all the others. Once plugged in, it offers 4 ports so you can stick it in the back of the case and forget about it
It’s unfortunate the color is better suited for 12-year old girls, but if your computer is against a wall the pinkalicious hub will stay well hidden.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7.99 on SourcingMap.com.
Via ShinyShiny
Yes, I am only featuring this because of the flowers.
Now that we’ve got it out of the way… The USB Revolving Hub offers 4 ports, conveniently placed to allow differently sized and shaped gadgets to be powered (yes, even the infamous humping dog will find a spot there).
Of course, about 24792 other hubs can do this, so what’s special? Honestly, nothing. But I like the flowers, and the design of the device is very practical. It comes in black with white flowers and white with black flowers.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12 on USBGeek.com.
Via Coolest Gadgets
A mousepad isn’t usually a very interesting thing; it’s just something you use and might have cute kittens on. Unless you’re a gamer and like spending hundreds of dollars to get better headshots, of course.
But, despite being another dreaded convergence gadget, the Roll-up Mouse Pad With Speaker + Hub actually seems like a good idea. Aside from the ovbious USB ports, a set of functional speakers – even not the best – are handy for playback from a portable player, and since all this wraps up in a small package can only make it better.
It’s far from an ideal solution for music lovers or the ultimate USB hub, but it could be a simple solution for people who travel a lot.
How much under $29.99?
A little: $22 on Gadget4All.com.
Via bookofjoe
Although it’s just one of the time travel machines in the Time And Relative Dimension(s) In Space range, the blue police box in Dr. Who has become known as the TARDIS. It’s become one of the most famous vehicles in SF, so it’s no wonder someone turned it into an accessory for something that was considered science fiction until fairly recently: your computer.
The Doctor Who Tardis 4 Port USB Hub lets you power your gadgets (duh), but it also makes a nice desk decoration (if you’re a SF geek, at least). It’s even got a blinking light on top, how’s that for classy?
Ok, it’s very possible for people to pass by and wonder why on Earth someone would have a 1950s London police box on their desk, but they don’t know what real TV means.
All it needs now is a Dalek for company… Start planning.
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.99 on ThinkGeek.com.
Although I see a lot of crapgadgets every day, they usually serve some obscure purpose so they are not that awful. But from time to time there’s something so pointless that I just wonder why.
USB hubs are useful. There’s lots of laptops and older computers with 3 or 4 ports, which just isn’t enough. But why oh why make one like this?
The USB Traffic Light 3-Port Hub looks like a traffic light (duh). A cheap plastic traffic light. Do the lights turn on when a flash drive is inserted? The delightful Engrish description fails to mention, but it doesn’t seem so, since it’s got another LED to show it’s operating. So… what’s the point? It’s ugly and doesn’t even do something entertaining. Please, find something else to do with your $14.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $14 on Gadget4All.com.
Via Ubergizmo
My take on USB hubs is “as long as we need one, it might as well look good”. I’m sick of seeing colorful LEDs and plastic being sold as “novelty USB hubs”, so I appreciate the USB Tape Hub even more in that light.
It’s not beautiful or anything, but it’s an interesting idea for a design. The obsolete next to modern technology. You’d expect to see DVDs next to a computer, not cassettes, right? You can’t use this one for storage, but you can access storage with its help: instead of magnetic tape, its bottom has 4 USB hubs.
Nostalgics will love it… but they have to abstain from too much love: it will not work in a cassette player and it will probably break it.
How much under $29.99?
A little: ~$24 on IWantOneOfThose.com.
Via BoingBoing
I’m tired of all these USB hub something-or-others that keep popping up, but sometimes, among all the crap, there’s something that makes me think “Ohh, I could really use that!”.
Case in point: USB 4-Port Hub With Notebook Light. A notebook light is very important for me, since I tend to work at night and I find normal lamps annoying (light in my eyes, not on the keys, ugh), and this particular light is placed just great on the laptop lid. And I figure, as long as you have free space, why not stick some USB ports on it? Might come in useful sooner than you think.
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.90 on Gadget4All.com.
Via Coolest Gadgets
USB hubs are a dime a dozen nowadays, and they all do the same thing: allow you to plug more devices into your PC. Not much room for innovation there, so the design is often the key factor. Some of them utterly miss that – an interesting look is one thing, ugliness is another.
Anyway, the USB Moody Star Hub gets it mostly right. It’s small and flat, so it won’t get in your way, and I quite like the star design. What I don’t like is the part about the moodiness – a 7 colored LED light doesn’t convey a good atmosphere to me. It only says “shitty gadget trying to look cooler”. Honestly, if I got this I would never turn the LEDs on. Other than that, it looks nice and it’s cheap.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12 on Gadget4All.com.
Via Coolest Gadgets
Have you ever felt your desk needs more clutter? More pointless, ugly gadgets?
Well then, have I got the thing for you! The USB Smart Dog Hub tries to look cute and utterly fails. But let’s say looks don’t matter, what can it do? First off, it’s a 4-port USB hub. Then, it’s a speaker. Third, a portable radio. The head is detachable, so you can carry around as a radio or leave it attached to act as a speaker. Now, please let me doubt the qualities of the sound produced by this audio device…
While this convergence gadget might not be useless per se, I see no reason someone would buy it. You can get a proper USB hub or portable radio for less… and would you really want to listen to music through one crappy speaker?
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.15 on LatestBuy.com.au.
Via Gizmodo
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!
