Rotary phone 4-port USB hub is impossible to hate

At first glance, we figured this heap was a dead-ringer for the next episode of Crapgadget, but after a few delicate moments of gazing at this amazing piece of retro-styled kit, we just had to let it pass. The $15 USB Telephone 4-Port Hub explains itself pretty well -- it's a non-functioning phone that doubles as a 4-port USB 2.0 hub. And it's really cute. And awesome.

[Via Pocket-lint]

[Patriks7 @ Sep 18th 2008 1:13AM]

now if the cord going to the computer would be like the spiral one, it would be even cooler :P

[YoYoYo @ Sep 18th 2008 6:06AM]

Don't you mean built into a flattened phone chord? There's only 4 pins in USB - Would work just fine over a short length, I'd imagine.

[Benson @ Sep 18th 2008 6:21AM]

Modular USB? For a short length on the order of an inch, sure.

[Mike Simpson @ Sep 18th 2008 9:40AM]

Impossible to hate....I'll take that challenge!

[Flashpoint @ Sep 18th 2008 1:15AM]

If you put a flash stick in each slot and then connect this to more than 1 computer, does it qualify as a server?

[671GD @ Sep 18th 2008 1:16AM]

C'mon. It's hard enough sticking thumbdrives etc., into the ports of normal hubs already!

[Mark @ Sep 18th 2008 4:54AM]

I feel sorry for any woman who may haplessly stumble into your life

[gad get @ Sep 18th 2008 1:17AM]

Looks like a good candidate for Crapgadget to me. It's yet another pointlessly 'cute' USB hub. Look how huge it is! And ugly!

[cory3218 @ Sep 18th 2008 1:17AM]

Hmm, i think more like crapgadget. If it functioned as a phone then it would be way cool, but unfortunately it doesn't.

[John Russell @ Sep 18th 2008 2:05AM]

I would only get it if it worked as a rotary phone as well. Someone out there has to be able to mod that together, right?

[Anand D @ Sep 18th 2008 12:55PM]

Its already connected via USB to the computer. If it worked as a handset for skype would've been nice

[Muhammed @ Sep 18th 2008 1:20AM]

I dont Like it, sorry.

[eggbert @ Sep 18th 2008 11:08AM]

Yes, but you don't hate it.

[webon @ Sep 18th 2008 1:21AM]

its not That impossible

[The Dude @ Sep 18th 2008 1:25AM]

Impossible? But I do hate it.

Laws of the universe defied. Oh sh...
*LHC Blackhole*

[ifalldownstairs @ Sep 18th 2008 1:29AM]

we all just died, didn't we

[Taylor @ Sep 18th 2008 2:50AM]

http://hasthelhcdestroyedtheearth.com/

[geoff900 @ Sep 18th 2008 1:48PM]

Don't worry, Jebus will save us

[Spy Alelo @ Sep 18th 2008 1:30AM]

I know this is off topic. But has anyone noticed how anoying this new feature in Engadget is? The one that fades a comment when is low rated until is barely readable? I am starting to avoid reading comments on Engadget's blogs, simply because it makes it hard to read and makes my eyes bleed.

[SimonRichards @ Sep 18th 2008 1:39AM]

I agree, even if a comment is low ranked, I would like to be able to read it so I can know WHY it was low ranked in the first place!

[Valicore @ Sep 18th 2008 2:11AM]

I do too, I thought I was going blind when I first saw it... can we PLEASE get the remember me button work?

[swingin' dick hero @ Sep 18th 2008 3:31AM]

Forget the remind me button.. I emailed engadget like 3 times about this problem and every time they said 'well, it seems to work for us/here'. Yeah, so they pretty much don't give a shit.

[vader3 @ Sep 18th 2008 4:34AM]

on the next crapgadget feature: "pathetic commenting system"

[absinthe party @ Sep 18th 2008 9:11AM]

This is funny now because it's ironic.

[yrag @ Sep 18th 2008 1:42AM]

If it is impossible to hate, then I completely unlove.

Murph— what happened dude? You used to be cool . . .

[Benson @ Sep 18th 2008 5:51AM]

Too many complaints about engadget being so negative about everything. This one deserves some negativity, though.

[)law( @ Sep 18th 2008 1:49AM]

it's beyond comprehension much like the voice of God, except not as cool and peoples hearts don't explode and time and space collapse

[youngstunna @ Sep 18th 2008 1:53AM]

mod that into a skype phone and it's a winner.

[AndrewP @ Sep 18th 2008 2:44AM]

That's what I was thinking.
I'm pretty sure that if any company were to actually make a functional skype phone/usb hub it would be a popular item, and it could easily look better than this.

[Eldiablo @ Sep 18th 2008 8:19AM]

x 2. I'm sure it wouldn't stretch the capabilities of the boys from Taiwan to shoehorn a basic VoIP phone into it, and I can't see it adding much to the price either.

[Valicore @ Sep 18th 2008 2:11AM]

if I stick my MagicJack into it will I be able to call space aliens for free?

[BigAl @ Sep 18th 2008 3:27AM]

It's another one of those gadgets that looks cool standalone (without anything plugged in). As soon as you plug things in it loses its appeal.

[Nige @ Sep 18th 2008 3:44AM]

Ugliest thing ever.
Needs to be a Crapgadget!

[CBrowne @ Sep 18th 2008 4:39AM]

I'm getting increasingly frustrated with the declining standards of journalism on engadget. First, there were biased reviews of anything iPhone. Next, more biased reviews of anything Microsoft. Finally, an unbiased review of Bill Gates leaving Microsoft (ok, so that one wasn't bad journalism, I just didn't agree with the "lay off the guy, he's old and philanthropic" approach to dealing with a megalomaniac who ignores competition law across the world).

ANYWAY, despite all this I never expected to see such an awful pun as that. Dead-ringer.... what, did your dad give you that one?

Eugh. You can kiss goodbye to my readership, for all the difference it'll make. Oh well, I like going out with a bang and I'm sure this'll create some petty flame-ridden responses for a few weeks until people realise I'm not actually reading their comments...

[Muhammad-Oli @ Sep 18th 2008 6:05AM]

I love you.

[YoYoYo @ Sep 18th 2008 6:06AM]

I'd buy one if it actually did work as an audio device. Could define the device as a HID device and get the 0,2,8,6,4 buttons working for association in Skype as speed-dial buttons. They could probably move a fair number at $50.

[Muhammad-Oli @ Sep 18th 2008 6:04AM]

Hahahaha I get it! Its funny cause you guys are saying its cute and impossible to hate, but actually its just sh*t!

[Armoured @ Sep 18th 2008 8:39AM]

I hate it

[tiago @ Sep 18th 2008 4:32PM]

Indeed. Ugliest usb hub I have seen.

[Str1ker @ Sep 18th 2008 9:02AM]

I hate it

[steven @ Sep 18th 2008 9:45AM]

Not cute, it isn't! If you want a cute USB hub get the USB Doomsday Device Hub (http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/9116/)

[Josh @ Sep 18th 2008 5:30PM]

they should have made it a Skype handset and then it would be awesome!