Ten More Tech Gadgets

More Fun USB Gadgets

Check out these nifty gadgets, and more...

1. USB Paper Shredder - Don’t panic! Next time your spouse complains about getting rid of those outdated bank or credit card receipts, post-it notes, or business cards, you can use your newly acquired USB Paper Shredder. The device can hold up to 2 sheets of paper, features an on/off/reverse switch, a letter opener, and has a cable length of 110 cm. At a price of US$35.00 at PdaPuffin, you can also switch to 4 AA batteries if your ports are full with other cool gadgets.
2. USB Undersea Volcano Lamp - Who could resist having a mini-volcano on their desktop? The USB Undersea Volcano Lamp features luminous lava beads that fall gently down the slope while multi-colored LEDs feature the sun’s rays through water. Available at Shop4Gifts for about US$30.00, it will clearly make you the envy of the water cooler gang.
3. Roll-Up Chess Set - Attention game-playing geeks... This Roll-up Chess Set keeps track of your moves and can even give you cheats hints if you get stuck. If you have never played but would like to learn, it features a 3-level learning system. Compatible with Windows XP, it will save your win as a jpeg so that you can send picture proof to an email buddy. At a cost of US$42.00 from USB.Brando, simply plug it into your port and let the game begin.
4. USB Roll-Up Piano and Drum Sets - While you're visiting these great gadget shops, check out USB Brando’s Roll-Up Piano and Drum Sets, both of which are USB connected and can be sent to another PC. The Piano has simultaneous 49-key activation and will even record your new top 10 hit. It features 8 percussion instruments, as well as 128 non-percussion instruments, 6 tones, and a 100 prerecorded rhythms program function with an adjustment of 40 - 208 beats. The electronic instrument will set you back US$46, not a bad price to pay for portable music.

   The Roll-up Drum Kit allows 3-level learning and can also record/playback with an interface from included software, so that you can egotistically watch your own performance. It has six playing pads including cymbal, and the same 40-208 beat per minute tempo adjustment as the piano. In addition, it has 50 different sounds, 20 pre-programmed percussion sets, and 100 pre-programmed beats. It is compatible with Windows XP/2000 at a price of US$42.00, sticks included.



5. USB Hello Kitty Speakers - No gadget collection is complete without a token Hello Kitty, at least that’s what they tell us in Japan. Why not add a pair of these speakers that plug-and-play into your USB port and can work without a sound card? They have an output of 6-600W, a frequency response of 200-20 KHz, a volume controller, and mute button. Each one stands at a towering 5 x 3 1/2 x 3 inches, and the pair weighs 2.5 pounds. Find them and other Hello Kitty peripherals at Dream Kitty for US$49.99.


6. USB FM Pig - Tired of the usual dull tuners? Here's one that is not necessarily functional beyond its singular usage as an FM Radio, although the twist/turn-on and volume tail are simply irresistable. Pinch his ear and he auto-scans for you. This little piggy is available at fun USB for US$15.00.
7. USB Squid - Now that you've got so many things to plug into your USB ports, you've probably run out of space, so here's the USB Squid to the rescue. Sure, you use up another port, but you get 4 extras in return. What makes this hub special is that the arms can bend so you have flexibility with all your gadgets and individual configuration. Find it at ThinkGeek for US$19.99.
8. Riflebullet Mouse - Forget point and click... this gadget is all about aim and fire. The Riflebullet by Bulletmouse is a 2-button mouse with scroll wheel. It's been around since 2000, but is still a top choice when it comes to buying a gift for the extremely macho. Even the company suggests they are perfect for hunters, cops, military personnel, and anyone else who likes to shoot stuff. Find it at Bulletmouse for US$24.95.
9. Duck, Mouse! - Want a cool mouse for the kidlets? This mouse features a duck that will start swimming the minute you plug him into your USB or PS2 port. It features an optical 800 DPI sensor, with high-resolution. It's compatible with Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP/NT, Mac OS X, Linux, and may even plug into your toaster. It's imported from Switzerland and comes with a 3 year warranty for US$34.90 at Mouse Envy.
10. Custom Keyboards - For the bilingual, Data Cal affords you all kinds of choices in keyboards. They will custom build you one in any of about 50 languages. They also offer custom overlays or stickers to do-it-yourself. Whatever your choice, they certainly know the meaning of customer service. You can order custom print keys or even start from scratch with a large print, left handed, or washable keyboard replacement.

Got a favorite tech gadget? Post your comments below...