usb

The idea of a "smart cable" has always seemed weird to us. (Where do they keep their brains?) But that's essentially what SoundTech is promising with its "LightSnake" line, which lights up in glowing green when in use.

The company is touting these USB cables as simple tools for garage guitarists and other amateur musicians who don't want to mess around with complicated recording equipment. (Even its name sounds like a rock band.) Dubbed a "sound card in a cable," the LightSnake requires no drivers and will work with a variety of … Read more

It's no secret that a certain other Craver delights in tormenting us over our sanriophobia, so we are posting this item to beat her to the punch. The "Hello Kitty USB Lap Warmer" really needs no explanation, as it's yet another obvious sign of the downfall of global civilization. (Engadget was equally speechless.) We think it may be a ploy to emit brainwashing pro-Kitty waves through electrical pulses.

If there's one piece of computer equipment that is meant to survive extreme conditions, it's the USB drive. We've seen models that are shockproof, waterproof and weatherproof, so it's not surprising that the U.S. military would come up with one that's nuke-proof too.

R&D Electronics says its "IronDrive" has been "tested for high temperature, shock, vibration, caustic agents, submersion, EMI, and nuclear stresses," making it "the ideal USB drive for harsh military and commercial environments." As Everything USB notes, the chunky drive looks as if it … Read more

Given that we just saw a USB drive that you can smell, it makes perfect sense that we'd find another to assault our senses in a different way. The "Exclusive USB Sound Flash Drive" from eNecessities is, contrary to its manufacturer's name, hardly something we must have. Quite the opposite, actually.

The last thing we need is a USB key or any other device to start chattering away on its own from the moment it's plugged in. Everything USB notes that the sound files, which can play for 10 or 20 seconds, are designed to … Read more

We're big on personal hygiene here at Crave--so much so, in fact, that we wish it would be a societal requirement (especially for public transportation). But even the most OCD-afflicted among us aren't sure about the need for scented gadgets.

As if Japan's aroma phones weren't weird enough (and they are), now we hear about a USB drive in a silver bamboo motif from Hong Kong-based Debreu that "holds your favorite scent for up to two hours of use," according to Everything USB.

We're not sure who exactly would want--or need--one of these … Read more

Do you suffer from peripheral overload? If your desk is a mess of wires, the Media Tank can help. ThinkGeek is selling this external enclosure for $90. It supplies a 6-in-1 card reader (CF I/II, MD, SD, MMC, and MS/MS Pro) and room for an IDE hard drive and optical drive of your choosing. Inside is a cooling fan and heat sink to keep your drives from overheating. Built-in surge protection helps keep your data safe. The Media Tank connects to your PC (or Mac) via USB 2.0 and also serves up a USB 2.0 port … Read more

"SolidAlliance" sounds more like a light rock band from the '70s than a computer equipment maker--which would explain its taste in USB drive designs too.

Except for the occasional duckies and robots, the Japanese company appears given to all that glitters. The latest shiny material comes from the house of Swarovski, which apparently won't be satisfied until it covers the Earth in its ubiquitous crystals.

A new line of stone-studded USB keys can be made to order with your choice of designs in different storage sizes, according to Newlaunches. It could actually find a whole new market … Read more

Slava Tyukalov is one busy inventor-slash-entrepreneur. Only a few months ago he generated tons of interest in his handmade wireless mouse, a beautiful creation of graphite, aluminum and Italian leather. Now SlashGear says he's come up with a USB drive that features an important addition: titanium.

Why? Because he apparently wanted to make it as close to indestructible as possible, being waterproof, anti-shock, anti-vibration and anti-static. (For a demonstration of its durability, check out the YouTube clip below.) We have just one question: Why are people so determined to abuse their poor USB drives anyway?

We'll never understand the concept of a fashion statement through a USB key, but at least some manufacturers are getting a tad more creative with their designs. Rather than tacky gold or over-the-top diamonds, Transcend has chosen a finish in mother of pearl for its "JetFlash V90," according to Fareastgizmos. It even comes with two chains of different lengths so it can be worn around the neck. But we still can't see Paris Hilton flashing one on the cover of Us.