It comes at us like an avalanche, so I had to put those USB Hubs in a category by itself. From multi port solutions to the ultimate hub convergence, you’ll find it here.
Ahoy Mate, Need Arrr USB Hub?
Now here is a total waste of USB space, yet something which is totally cool…well…that is if you are 8.
SolidAlliance has yet out done themselves again with the pop-up pirate USB hub.
Come on, I know it put a smile on your face.
I doubt anyone reading this post will flinch for their wallet, but here’s the SolidAlliance website just in case. Interested in other USB novelty gadgets?
Swivel USB Hub With Card Reader
USB Fever incorporated a Compact Flash and miniSD card reader into their rotating USB hub.
Rotating up to 90 degrees for the USB connectors make it a nice hub for your stack of USB junk. Actually, you can downsize the junk pile and throw away your card reader.
Just $13.99 and USB Fever ships anywhere in the world, free of charge.
USB Rotating Hub & Card Reader product page
Brando USB Microscope: If We Don’t Have It, You Don’t Need It
Brando is filling in their spectrum of product offerings to include both low-end and high-end. From the seasonal trinket like USB Christmas trees and USB Plasma Balls to higher end products like quality USB solar chargers and today; USB Microscope, Brando is building their brand.
This just isn’t any old microscope either. It’s literally packed with features. Features, that of course, make total sense. The Brando USB Microscope connects via USB, houses a two port USB hub and includes a web camera for sharing. So if you can’t find it…you just don’t need it.
Taking a closer look at the junk around your house or office has never been easier. Easy to share too. Zoom in from 30x, 200x 400x and 600x to see every gory detail using any one of three
USB Engine (Hub) Sure To Be A Blast
Now this truly is a USB powered gadget. Earlier this week SolidAlliance introduced the USB engine hub. Based off a two liter motorcycle engine the USB hub houses 3 USB ports and takes up quite-a-bit of space.
Two things are crazy about this. One, the USB engine hub makes noise, a lot of noise. The non-soothing sounds begin with; starter, gear shift and rev-engine sounds. Two, the president of SolidAlliance predicts this novelty gadget will become their best selling product. Well, that isn’t much of a stretch considering SolidAlliance is best known for Sushi flash drives.
If you need a USB hub and need to be heard, get the USB engine for only $43 USD. SolidAlliance ships globally.
Poll Results: How Many USB Ports Do You Need?
It’s a goocher. From the latest GetUSB poll, “How Many USB Ports Do You Need?” a whopping 40% said the standard 4 USB ports is good enough.
What is more interesting is that over 50% of the voters indicated even with 8 USB ports they could still use more. This means most users have at least two USB Hubs hanging from their system. What a mess. You may ask yourself, why don’t they make bigger USB hubs? One answer might be this:
Chip manufacturers make either a 4 port or 7 port USB hub chip. You run into power problems after 7 ports. Companies who build USB Hubs are limited by this chip design. Placing two hub chips inside a hub box doesn’t make much sense because your host computer already has several USB ports – they just figure you’ll buy two units if you need more (4 or 7) USB ports.
With these poll results I think it’s safe to say USB is the majority leader in peripheral connectivity.
Gefen Launches Wireless USB Solution Based On ExtremeUSB At Infocomm 07
Press Release – Burnaby BC., June 19, 2007 – Icron Technologies Corporation (TSX Venture: IT), the developers of ExtremeUSB® announced that Gefen Inc, of Woodland Hills, California, has launched a wireless USB 2.0 extender based on Icron’s ExtremeUSB technology at this years InfoComm 07 show in Anaheim, CA from June 19th to the 21st.
The Gefen wireless USB extender supports the connection of hi-speed USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices up to 100 feet from the computer. It works with both Apple (OSX) and PC (Windows, Linux) systems using Icron Technologies’ ExtremeUSB based on 802.11g technology. The receiver is a four-port USB hub that can support multiple devices by adding additional hubs. Data can be delivered at high speeds, thanks to optimized circuitry.
“We believe this reliable and wireless method of USB extension will significantly enhance the way systems operate well into the future,” said Hagai Gefen, president and CEO. “Subsequent versions will also support multiple receiver hubs connected to one sender unit, allowing a same time distribution that delivers data real-time with no cables.”
Like most of Gefen’s extender solutions, the wireless USB 2.0 extender uses small sender and receiver units connected to the computer and to the extended USB devices. No cables are needed to link sender to the receiver, which allows connection to cameras, keyboards, printers, hard drives or any USB 2.0 devices at distances up to 100 feet away.
USB Port on Cigarette Car Adaptor
If I where to design this product the ratio would be reversed. I’d create a 3 USB port adaptor with one cigarette plug. After all, I only need one car frig to keep my beer cold at the baseball games. But I do have an MP3 player, phone and camera I’d like to charge up while on the drive over.
The Brando 3-in-1 car adapter with USB port is definitely a good idea. There have been several occasions where I’ve wanted one.
UberGizmo brings up a good point – it might not be the best idea to daisy chain some USB hubs off the single port to power everything you’ve got. Might strain the car battery too much over a long period of time, none-the-less, an excellent item to have for those long hauls.
Brando has them for $20 and ships to the US (and globally) very quickly and inexpensive.
