American Weigh company introduces a new hybrid USB mouse which includes a small digital scale.  The precision digital pocket scale goes down to a 10th mark and supports 500g / 17.635oz / 16.075ozt / 321.5dwt weight capacities.

I would think this be a perfect scale for the small office or front office secretary for quick checking of letters and small packages.  Some of those larger scales take up quite a bit of space.

The USB digital scale mouse is available for $59 and a higher weight capacity unit for $69.

The USB digital scale will also work as a standalone device without connection with an internal [rechargeable] battery and includes a stainless steel platform in the size of 2.25 x 2.75 inches.

The Pentagon announced last week the ban of USB sticks within it’s organizations.  As part of the ban, the Pentagon is collecting all USB drives purchased or provided to department workers.  The motivating factor was a global virus the Pentagon was exposed to.

Not much information was collected about what type of virus or the extent to damage, but must be bad enough to initiate a global ban.

Military leaders have consistently warned of potential threats from a variety of sources including other countries – such as China – along with other self-styled cyber-vigilantes and terrorists.

The issue has also been of concern at the Department of Homeland Security. A September audit by the DHS Inspector General recommended that the agency implement greater procedures to ensure that only authorized computer flash drives or other storage devices can be connected to the network there and that an inventory of those devices be set up.

Finally, the Pentagon was quick to point their government agency isn’t the only institution having problems, but many companies and corporations are concerned about the potential security risks of USB drives, their data load size and their small size.  It’s a feed ground for malice opportunity.

Source:  Associated Press.

Etsy is a website dedicated to helping those who make unique and customized products and looking for an easy channel to sell to the public.  Why they don’t use Amazon is a totally different post, but while I was searching their site, I came across this new 4 port USB hub made from a lego.

The 4 port lego hub looks very cool and would be a fun little addition to the office.  A bit much in price for the concept of a 4 port USB hub, but given the custom build and stylized look, one could make the argument for the $50 price tag.Product is made by Databrick [great business name] and is available for immediate shipment anywhere in the world.

To help close the deal, check out this ultra boring YouTube video with crazy brackground noise music.

Jump to product page.

We stumbled upon this Snake Coffin USB drive when writing about the Han Solo Carbonite USB stick, neither of which make a great USB promotional drive, but definitely a unique looking device.

For the select few who would enjoy this wondrous USB Snake Drive, you can grab a 2GB version for only $25 bucks.  The custom snake casket is a limited edition drive and only available while supplies last.

Jason is the creator of this device and many other gadgets.  He resides in Bolivia North Carolina and will ship anywhere in the world.

Product page.

We’ve got a select few readers who’ve purchased all the Mimobot Star Wars drives, and now they can expand their collection with the Han Solo Carbonite USB drive.

As SlashGear points out, Han Solo was suppose to be frozen for eternity but without encryption technology your data wont have that same possibility, so maybe it’ll escape just as Han Solo came back to life.

The creator, Jason’s Creations has just sold out…but send him an email as more will make it to market, I’m sure.

Source:  SlashGear.

Infra Recorder has a open source CD and DVD burning software package which may be configured to run as a USB portable application.  You can download the application for free, then make some edit changes in the properties box and run from a USB stick.

I’m sure the first question you have is, why burn a CD or DVD if you already have a USB stick.  Well, maybe you are just slow to transition to 100% USB, or maybe you need to burn some video files at the parents house and don’t want to hassle with figuring out if they’ve got software to support the job.

How to make InfraRecorder entirely portable:

USBFever has a high temperature again.  They are currently promoting a USB car charge for only 1 penny!  That’s right, you can now charge any USB device from your car lighter for only 1 cent.

USBFever will ship anywhere in the world for $2.99.  So your out-the-door price is $3.00.  Clearly an excellent deal.

Score yourself some brownie points with your geek friend and pass this hot deal along.  It wont last forever!

*Also great idea for a stocking stuff this holiday season.

Source:  Thanks Thomas of USBFever [product page to order].