Logitech is probably the first name most people think of for input devices like keyboards, mice and hubs…and why not, they’ve been around since 1985…pretty much from the start for mainstream computers.
Logitech posted some interesting information about selling their one billionth mouse after being in the market for 20+ years. The first mouse from the Switzerland-based Logitech was the P4 (pictured above), which began mass production in 1985 at the company’s birthplace. Logitech reached the 100 millionth mouse mark in 1996, and subsequently, topped 500 millionth 7 years later. The company is now selling at a rate of 376,000 mice per day and 7.8 million every month.
Continue Reading
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.
Continue Reading
It all boils down to where you connect the magnets. For the most part this magnetic USB hub is best designed to work with office furniture, cabinets and the like. Probably not the best idea to set it on the computer chassis – although it wouldn’t do too much harm.
The idea behind USBFever’s magnetic hub is convenience. Place it where you need it. There are three magnets on the underside of the 4 port hub with enough strength to hold any combination of USB cables and flash drives in place.
The 4 port USB magnetic hub will only set you back 14 USD plus a couple bucks in shipping.Available via USBFever.
Continue Reading
Some interesting news about iPhone sync speed and the use of USB hubs. I seriously doubt there is an issue with USB 2.0 specification so this must be related more towards the USB stack the iPhone uses with their chip. Apparently having the iPhone connected to a USB hub for sync will slow the process. To throw more flame on the fire, if you have a USB 1.0 device [like a keyboard or mouse] also connected to the USB hub, the sync grinds to a halt.
You’ll could definitely run into problems if it’s a self-powered USB hub, so try one with a separate power connector/source.
Word on the proverbial street is that most who did a direct connect from iPhone to Mac or PC had a much faster sync time – down to a couple of minutes.
How about you? Have you tried with or without the hub? Comment.
Tip:Â Wired.
Continue Reading
If you can’t tell from the picture, this is a DIY project on taking a regular USB hub and turning it into the ideal Halloween desk monster.
Using stiff wire, USB cables, USB hub and some LED you can build the inner structure of the USB monster. Then sharpen your sowing skills and make a fabric body. The fun part about this project is turning those clawed USB feet into working USB connectors.
Albeit not the most space conscience hub you could find, but it’s definitely a fun project for the upcoming Halloween season.
Source:Â SlipperyBrick via Instructables.
Continue Reading
The Newton’s Cradle USB hub is a fun twist on that traditional office gift of Newton’s Cradle. Rather than stainless steel balls however, this one uses USB connectors to make up a 4 port USB hub.
Albeit a bulky device for a USB hub it would create some interest from the folks around the office. Clearly it would observe the law of conservation of momentum, but none-the-less a great conversation piece….for about 20 seconds.
The Newton’s Cradle USB hub is available from Buy.com but is currently sold out. They are still booking orders.
Source:Â RedFerret.
Continue Reading
“It’s a USB hub two computers use.” Sounds off doesn’t it? It’s not. What the Kensington ShareCentral does is provide a single USB box you can plug your USB devices into so they maybe shared between two computers. This is ideal for printers or scanners that need to be shared between computers (small office). Or ideal for placing a USB hard drive on a small network for automated backup. Or simply a KVM switch to centralize your keyboard, video monitor and mouse between two PCs. Actually I could use that now between my “work” computer with dual monitors to my “test” PC which could use dual monitors.
I spotted the ShareCentral while over at GizmosForGeeks earlier today. They had a good point:
Chances are that if you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably got multiple computers in your household, but on the other hand, you’ve probably decided against cluttering your home with multiple printers, external hard drives and the like. But it can be such a pain to keep swapping those devices amongst your various computers. Enter the Kensington ShareCentral USB sharing device.
Brando has a small collection of USB Cube Hubs to color up your desktop. The USB ports are spread all over the USB Cube for easy connection of fat devices or bulky gadgets. The USB Cube Hub includes two On/Off switches to take control of Bus power to the device.
Brando gives you light blue, white, green, yellow and orange as your collection options along with a $12 price tag for those on a budget.
The Y-Shaped USB hub from Apacer is a clever design, but it’s not the first time we’ve seen it. RiDATA introduces a flash drive with combo two port hub on the back side, which I’m still wondering why it hasn’t gained more popularity, about a year ago. The Apacer Y-shaped USB hub increases the port connectivity over the RiDATA by two fold, but doesn’t have flash memory storage.
The Apacer PH151 uses a miniUSB connection to the host computer [via cable] and then provides two vertical ports and two horizontal ports. To me, once you’ve put a cable to the hub, it doesn’t matter what shape it’s in. Just stick your device in and go. The clear advantage with this design, is increasing
Continue Reading
What else would you need as the ideal desktop clock watching device other than the USB Fever Temp, Clock and hub gadget. Not only does the 4 port USB hub have a clock to insure you exit work at exactly 5:01pm, but you’ll get an accurate reading on temperature.
The USB hub clock includes data and alarm settings as to wake you from the mid-afternoon slumber after the fat turkey sandwich lunch.
With the exception of Mickey Mouse…is a mouse really that cute you need to make a million gadgets shaped like them?
Nope. But that doesn’t stop Brando. Here is a classic example. The USB mouse stands on four USB port legs. The legs can swivel around for easy connection, but even after a single device is connected the mouse wont stand…so what’s the point. Oh there isn’t one? OK.
Available in two colors of green or pink with high speed USB transfer rates you can add another animated animal to your drawer of crap for just $12.
USB Mouse by BrandoContinue Reading
I’ve often thought of what shape [not] would make the perfect card reader and USB hub, and I must admit the idea of fitting all this into a can never crossed my mind. However, our friends at Brando did think outside the box, with this canned shaped card reader and USB hub. The 3 port hub supports SD, SDHC, MMC, XD, CF and microSD flash memory cards.
Granted the design is unique and different but not designed for travel or someone looking for a card reader in a compact size. The canned card reader does not include a power adapter and is USB powered, thus not the ideal unit for large or long data file transfers. Read to know why.
As for a marketing product, the card reader seems to be the ideal promotional product for a company like Coke or Pepsi or any other canned food or drink manufacturer.
Continue Reading
The Newton’s Cradle USB hub is a fun twist on that traditional office gift of Newton’s Cradle. Rather than stainless steel balls however, this one uses USB connectors to make up a 4 port USB hub.
Albeit a bulky device for a USB hub it would create some interest from the folks around the office. Clearly it would observe the law of conservation of momentum, but none-the-less a great conversation piece….for about 20 seconds.
The Newton’s Cradle USB hub is available from Buy.com but is currently sold out. They are still booking orders.
Source:Â RedFerret.
Continue Reading
“It’s a USB hub two computers use.” Sounds off doesn’t it? It’s not. What the Kensington ShareCentral does is provide a single USB box you can plug your USB devices into so they maybe shared between two computers. This is ideal for printers or scanners that need to be shared between computers (small office). Or ideal for placing a USB hard drive on a small network for automated backup. Or simply a KVM switch to centralize your keyboard, video monitor and mouse between two PCs. Actually I could use that now between my “work” computer with dual monitors to my “test” PC which could use dual monitors.
I spotted the ShareCentral while over at GizmosForGeeks earlier today. They had a good point:
