GetUSB.info has a category called “Useless Novelty” and it’s used for those gadgets that really don’t make sense, or just ridiculous.  Scrolling through just the first two pages we have items like:  USB Breast Warmers, USB Volcano or USB Cabbage.

Today I add to the list with the USB construction set.  Sure the photo looks cool and sure it seems like fun if you’re an 8 year old, but is it really worth it?

I guess if you have a train set with a laptop that sits in the middle of the track you could make up “a scene” but that’s far and few between.

On the slight chance you are excited about this useless novelty item, you’ll need to source it from an on-line vendor since the USB construction site is only available in Japan.  Cost is about $20.

USB Tutorial:  Turn a USB stick into a Hard Drive or Local Disk

This is a very valuable tutorial, especially if you are looking to partition a USB stick.  Another application for turning a removable drive into a local disk, is that now many software programs can be loaded directly to a USB drive.  The first program which comes to mind is iTunes.  I know you need My Documents and a Local Disk to install it, so after this tutorial, I’ll try installing iTunes and share the results.

The process of turning a USB stick into a hard drive is fairly easy.  However, there are limitations.  For example, this works best with Windows XP operating systems.  You also need to update the drivers for the device for any computer you are going to use.  Typically, this isn’t a big deal as you can easily do this for your work and home computers.  However, this isn’t a great solution if you are trying to create a partitions USB stick for distribution to many possible users [say trade show give-away].

Couple of items you’ll need:

• USB_LocalDisk.zip files [download here]
• Windows XP
• USB stick

What we will do, is connected the USB stick, find the driver code, update the driver code and re-connect the device.  Simple.

Here are the details:

Gizmodo did an interesting post today, it’s as though they knew I purchased an iPhone over the weekend.  Yes, I’m part of the “cool kid crowd.”  Giz did a post on a new iPhone custom flash drive.  It’s a cute little thang, with two eyes, a red dot mouth where the home button is and two munchkin feet.

By pulling the top rubber lid, you expose the USB for connection.  No word on the price, but you can visit the site if you really need one.

I found this USB powered gadget at Boingboing, and I must admit the author, Joel Johnson does such a great job with the post, I’ve got to publish the whole entry:

Ladies, a question: For years I have offered my services as a breast warmer out of what I must now admit was a desire not for the comfort of your more prominent glands, but instead an attempt to put my mittens on your kittens. But unlike my campaign to make sure your bosom is extraordinarily clean by barging into your shower with gallons of frothy soap — motivated purely by Christian hygienic charity — I was not entirely positive that your mams got, you know, chilly.

Do they?

That Thanko has created a USB-powered breast warming system has turned my world upside down. In fact, I’m getting a bit dizzy. If only there were some warm, soft place to lay my head.

Source:  BoingBoing via Thanko.

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam.  Where the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard a discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Might be the perfect song for this USB buffalo speaker system by Gadget4all.  With freaky looking blue LED lights to illuminate the eyes and horns, you’ll be impressed with these speakers even in the dark.  Not the strangest USB powered gadget, but it’s up there.

~~~

The USB buffalo speakers include a small Li-ion battery for portable use.  Because you need to take this out on the range.  Back at the ranch you can charge her back up via USB.

You can get all this buffalo madness for only $14.

These are trying times.  Everyone I talk with seems to be going through a rough time.  Whether it be work related stress, finances or personal challenges – life these days is tough.

No better time could the USB stress ball be introduced.  It’s not your typical stress ball, as those don’t have USB connectivity.  But this does.  The stress ball includes software where you can load up a picture [your boss or ex] and as you bang away at the stress ball or squeeze the day-lights out of it, the picture will reflect the stress.

The USB stress ball includes some options as well.  You’ve got a strength game and a squeeze game.

It’s amazing how technology can make it’s way into any product, even a dumb little squeeze stress ball.

A recent study was just released that suggests over 9,000 USB drives are left, lost or forgotten at laundry mats.  The study was done to show consumers how easy it is to have valuable information fall into the hands of a stranger.

Even on our best day, accidents happen.  A similar study was done with PDA and cell phones left in taxi cabs.  That number is close to 6,200 per year.

Given this information and each of us knowing we are not perfect, it is wise to put some encryption on your USB drive or password protect the device.  Many times the manufacturer will supply a utility free with the device…don’t try and format it off, rather use it!

David Porter, head of security and risk at Detica, explained that there was only so much that experts and computer systems could do to thwart identity fraud. According to Porter, final responsibility rests with the consumer. “Identity fraud attacks succeed largely because of human fallibility; however there are simple steps that people can take to avoid being caught out by fraudsters,” said Porter.

So take a moment and protect yourself from the accidents of everyday life.