usb

It's not uncommon to see USB drives that look like they belong in a jewelry case, which makes their prices somewhat less outrageous because they can at least do double duty as a pendant or necklace. But then there are other storage keys whose main function seems to be wasting money.

This gold USB drive falls into the latter category, to the tune of $2,800 or $3,500. The price depends on whether you order it with diamonds, as pictured here, and in 14k or 18k gold. Decisions, decisions.

As Shiny Shiny notes, the manufacturer didn't even … Read more

So let's say, just hypothetically, that you can't stand the person who occupies the next cubicle. We perennially chipper campers at Crave would never know how this feels, of course. But if we did--and couldn't resort to physical harm--we might seriously consider bringing something like this to work because the "USB Fragrance Oil Burner" could be the next best thing to incense when trying to keep irritating office mates at bay.

When closed, this little gadget could pass for a speaker or just about any other computer peripheral on the desktop. But it opens up … Read more

In today's nomadic workaday world, where people can routinely set up office in their cars, such office staples as printers and fax machines have been reduced to Lilliputian dimensions. But what about those sensitive documents that they spit out?

The "Portable USB Paper Shredder" has been designed for just such road-warrior circumstances, weighing about 12 ounces and measuring 10 by 2.7 inches and less than 2 inches thick, according to Ministry of Tech, running on four AA batteries. It's yet another reason that innovation is crucial for traditional office equipment makers. Which is why we … Read more

Yoggie, an Israeli security vendor, has released USB device called Pico, a Linux-based computer on a stick that provides enterprise-level security on a home laptop or desktop PC. Corporate desktops and laptops reside behind an IT department with dedicated servers blocking inbound malicious content. As home software-based security suites attempt to match these blocking features, they sometimes tax the computer's CPUs--and the end-user's patience. Instead, the Yoggie device handles all the heavy lifting of Internet blocking and security within the USB device itself, liberating desktop or laptop resources ordinarily dedicated for antivirus and antispyware software for other use. … Read more

You probably already know that the merchandising mania for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End has gone just a teeny bit over-the-top. Well, the tech tie-ins don't stop with skull-and-crossbones TVs: Pocket Lint claims to have found evidence of Pirates USB drives made by A-Data. Apparently, they'll come pre-loaded with wallpapers and other movie media goodies, and will be available in up to an 8GB capacity. Now that's some legit buried treasure.

However, there's no product page or pricing information yet. But considering the other sorts of Pirates tie-ins that we've already seen, … Read more

Unlike Carl Spackler's fantasy in Caddyshack, the Golf Launchpad is almost too real. I hit a lot of bad shots in golf, and I hit a lot of bad shots in Tiger Woods golf using the Golf Launchpad. This USB controller from a company called Electric-Spin is not new (see my awful swing in this old product video), and its new feature won't be ready until sometime this summer, but that didn't stop Crave from taking some hacks with it now that spring has sprung.

The Golf Launchpad lets you use your own clubs to hit a … Read more

We'd pretty much given up on posting any more items about USB storage keys--not because we have anything against them, mind you, but we just couldn't keep up with their kudzu-like proliferation. (Except for the poker chip versions, of course.)

But leave it to those insane-asylum escapees at Brando to come up with one more that we couldn't pass up. The "USB Neck Strap" has a built-in flash drive with 2GB of memory and can also hold a variety of other items that are prone to misplacement, such as keys and even a mobile … Read more

My review of the Stanton T.90 USB turntable has officially posted on CNET.com, and unfortunately it's time to send the T.90 back. I'll be sad to see it go, but honestly, I'm happy to have some desk space again. It's a very fun turntable, and it surpassed my expectations (though I still want a Numark TTX). When all is said and done, the best thing I gained from this review was the opportunity to archive some of my vinyl collection. I even went the extra step and added album cover art into iTunes. … Read more

A few minutes ago, I was crawling through the oft-dull posts that turn up in my RSS reader on Saturday mornings while downing the day's first cup of coffee. Not particularly momentous. Then I saw this TreeHugger post, and I was all wow, you know, in the way that Microsoft was hoping I'd react to Windows Vista. (I didn't, for the record.)

So what are these? They're called USBCell, and they're AA batteries that you charge in a USB port. What a cool idea! Of course, there's always the quality issue, but TreeHugger seems … Read more