Tech, Gadgets, and Geeks. Oh My!: USB

It's a battery, no it's a USB--- it's a USB battery!
Huh?

One of the best uses yet of a USB is not the desktop lava lamp, not the USB vacuum cleaner, and not the USB boxing ring, but the eco-friendly and ingenious rechargeable battery, USBCELL.
Use it up and then pop it into any USB port and recharge.
No cumbersome charger to tote around (just your cumbersome laptop).
But if you're like most of us, you're never too far from a computer!
Even the airports now have USB ports built into the computer-friendly seats and laptop stations.

They will be soon available in all sizes AA, AAA, C, D and 9V; and also with the mini-USB connector. The uses are boggling since I can foresee recharging the battery and then using the mini-USB connector to emergency charge my Dash cellphone which uses the mini-USB.

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USB is taking over tech. Everything charges, connects and controls by USB these days. I just built a new computer and have 10 installed internal USB ports. I am sure I will soon run out though as my current list of devices usually wired in right now totals 7:

printer
scanner
cellphone
digital camera
soundblaster 5.1 surround
palm
ipod

That leaves me just 3 empty slots for the various rotating menagerie of thumb drives to which I am addicted. I buy them like candy in a 5 and dime store. Intermittently used devices like my USB rechargeable battery, USB fan, USB light, USB mp3 players (including cool Target mp3 player giftcard) are also loitering all around my computer like cars waiting to board the auto train to Florida.

If you haven't looked into the bevy of mindless devices using Universal Serial Bus technology, take a ride over to sites USB Gadgets and USB Geek to find such treasures as the aroma dispenser:

the doomsday hub:

the desktop Xmas tree:

and the rocket launcher:

But to support all this serial swag you will likely need a USB hub (think of Newark but with fewer gates) as most computers come with only 2 or 3 ports. I've always loved Belkin's computer peripheral products and their hub lines are something to marvel and envy.

The one I'm currently jonesing for is the in-desk hub. You know that waste-of-a-space hole in your desk with that little cover that usually pops out never to be found again?

Perfect use and placement. If you prefer however the Airstream of hubs, this iPod wannabe will do:

This will allow you to load up on lots more USB gadgets. What?! ---you want USB devices that actually are useful? I've previously shown you the recordable turntable and cassette tape player but there's plenty more stuff out there.