Strange and Crazy Gifts - Holiday USB Port Gadgets

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It was introduced in 1995 as a replacement for traditional serial and parallel connectors. Advantages are that it's considerably smaller than the two former connector types and computer system power is much easier to access through the connector.

The USB symbol is at right. Clicking on the next thumbnail will show you a picture of a standard USB plug.

The small size and ready access to system power through this connector has inspired all manner of goofy gadgetry to plug into your computer.

The USB Missile Launcher will provide hours of fun. Especially when you see the look on your fellow cubical denizens faces when they realize the thing actually works.

Fortunately the missiles are made from that "nerf" like foam material.

Comes with software to control the launch angle, direction, and fire control. Range is limited to twenty feet so actually hitting a pal is a hit or miss proposition.

No mention is made of VPN control for true remote control mayhem. Of course you could always try stealth.

"Hey Joe. Come here and look at this."

With any luck you'll score a direct hit to the forehead.

Dream Cheeky is likely the premiere company for creating kitschy USB devices. This one is no exception to that rule. It's angle and rotation can be controlled from your computer with the included software. It also includes three foam "babes" (whatever that means) and a net to catch the winsome beauties in.

At just under ten dollars (not including shipping) this is certainly a stocking stuffer.

Christmas is more than six months away (as of March 11, 2008), but why wait for the tree? This little number plugs right into your USB port and lights up with itty bitty fiber-optics at the branch tips.

The really fake looking wooden pot will be the talk around the water cooler.

Want to really show off? How about a mini-fridge that holds one, count 'em, one soda can. USB powered so you show everyone around just how geeky you truly are.

Let your Geek Flag Fly!

One model is for a single can of soda. Others will hold a six pack. Not well insulated, but powered by the USB port on your computer; these "dispenser" will keep the cans cold with refrigerant. One of the featured models will even warm as well as cool.

Want to keep that drink cold after you opened it? There's a gadget for that too.

Coffee? Tea? How about a hot toddy?

This USB beverage warmer will keep your mug and the drink within it, warm. What's better it can also serve as a USB hub with four ports.

Hot Toddy

• 1 ounces Whiskey
• 1 ounce Honey
• 1 ounce Lemon Juice
• 3 ounces Water (Hot)

Now that you have chilled and warmed drinks at hand how about a fan? These fans run on current from the supplied USB cord. The black model has an on/off switch and is somewhat reminiscent of the models made in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.

The mobile port mini just hangs out there in space, dangling from the end of the power cable. Looks kinda-cool of you ask me.

The Excalibur has soft foam blades (and no cage) to insure that you won't cut your tongue doing that weird "La la la la la" thing your crazy uncle showed you.

The three USB powered lamps at right are just the thing for working in the dark in some clandestine operation. Or maybe they are just the right thing to do while in your dorm-room trying to cram for tomorrow's test without driving your "roomie" nuts.

Whatever the reason they are cheap and, for the most part, silly.

My favorite here is the last one. A ten LED white light model which costs considerably less than the single lamp version above.

All three have a "goose-neck" style arm which makes them easy to adjust to just the right spot on your desk.

Yes, that's right plug this "puppy" in and he goes to town. Absolutely worthless item for your USB port other than offending your office pals or humoring the easily amused.

Hey, there's always one person in the office who by some quirk of nature finds the same tired joke amusing no matter how many times it's told. Imagine, if you will, the endless hours of entertainment these crazy pups will provide. As long as s/he standing there you can't really get any work done. It's a win win for everyone.

Hey, this is just what I want to see at my desk. A small plastic dog getting "down" with my computer. Whowah!

Comes in a wide variety of breeds. Beagle, Dobermann, and Mutt. I wonder if they are AKC registered?

No need to say any more.

Darth Vader seems to be the character of choice when it comes to Star Wars USB devices. I loved the movies, frankly, but I don't know if I loved them enough to have a giant Darth Vader head (a USB port) that makes breathing sounds. Still, if that's what your Star Wars fan wants they have it.

R2D2 seems much more benign. I have just one question though. Where's the wookie?

For those with a slightly more serious side here's a "toy" that will provide weeks of entertainment.

Can't identify that speck of fuzz you found under your keyboard? Want know what's REALLY in the pepperoni slice left over from the last meeting in the board room? Want to know what kind of bug that was that landed on your forehead?

Here's the way to go. Pop the object of suspicion under the lense of these wonders and view the marvels of nature on your computer screen.

Of course if you've decided to replace your telephone with a computer and Internet Relay Chat (think Skype or Net Meeting), you might need a web-cam. The three models to the right are not only quite handy for the task they almost look pretty good too.

My favorite is the first model, which, though it looks like the mouth-piece to a 1920s candle-stick phone, has a pretty good image resolution. Who am I kidding? It's just not that pretty.

The ConnectLand is kind of cool looking and the unnamed third entry has a spring clip so you can attach it to something thin and flat.

Someone had to do it. Unlike the original this lamp changes color from red, to green, to blue. My old lamp didn't do that; it had one color only. This one also has glitter.

The author was not compensated in any way, either monetarily, with discounts, or freebies by any of the companies mentioned.

Though the author does make a small profit for the word count of this article none of that comes directly from the manufacturers mentioned. The author also stands to make a small profit from advertising attached to this article.

The author has no control over either the advertising or the contents of those ads.