Infinite USB plug is a big idea for small conveniences

In a classic case of "why didn't we think of this first," Chinese design student Gonglue Jiang has shown us a new way for overcoming the limitations imposed by the scarcity of USB ports on some computers. Instead of forcing you to constantly hot swap devices into that one port, Gonglue's Infinite USB plugs keep all your cables connected, thereby facilitating those smartphone syncs, spy camera recharges, and -- for the ultimate irony -- maybe even a USB hub. If you're thinking this would be brought down by a bout of bandwidth starvation once you start some USB multitasking, you're probably right, but power shortages shouldn't be an issue as the author has also come up with an external power connector that joins into his Infinite chain of connectivity. If only this wasn't just a concept.

[sshole Posted Mar 22nd 2010 4:49AM]

Want!!!!!!!

[Devilboy666 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:07AM]

Screw all the haters this is what USB was always supposed to be!

[think before you react Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:26AM]

@sshole
To connect maybe one or two extra USB's (MAYBE) but I'd be worried about putting extra strain on my computer's USB connector. I'd hate to lose total functionality from my USB port just because the extra weight this COULD cause loosened the soldered connection to my motherboard...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:39AM]

@think before you react

So if you have four USB sockets, and a fifth device, this would put a strain on it? How exactly..

You don't have to have 10+ devices in a single socket. And you don't have to plug them directly into a socket if you are concerned. Get an extension lead, and pop as many stacking plugs as you like. Use the back sockets for permanently connected devices, and stick a hub into a stacking plug.

I think it's a great idea. I have possibly got vacant USB sockets at the back of my computer, but it's a pain in the neck to get at it and check.

[OCEAN CLAK Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:45AM]

@think before you react

Dont forget you will have to carry extra cables around for each one you buy!

[Mike10010100 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 6:12AM]

@sshole

Assuming that there is a set resistance from each one, there has to be a voltage drop across each. Therefore, eventually there will be no voltage, and thus no current through which to charge your gadgets. If all of your gadgets hooked up in this fashion were externally powered, I could see how this might work, however it would put a data bottleneck strain on the first chord.

[Invader Par Posted Mar 22nd 2010 6:37AM]

One problem:

Plug in camera, plug in disk-on-key, plug in phone, plug in mp3 player, plug in second disk-on-key, plug in external hard disk.

Oh, shoot, I need to unplug my camera...

Safely remove external hard disk, safely remove second disk-on-key, safely remove mp3 player, safely remove phone, safely remove first disk-on-key, safely remove camera.

Replug in camera, replug in disk-on-key, replug in phone, replug in mp3 player, replug in second disk-on-key, replug in external hard disk...

[DougieBear Posted Mar 22nd 2010 7:43AM]

@Invader Par

Then unplug it from the other end of the cable

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[scots79 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 9:28AM]

@DougieBear +10 internets to you good sir. Bravo!

[tbonet Posted Mar 22nd 2010 9:32AM]

@Invader Par I haven't "Safely Remove"ed anything in a long time. It is designed to be safely removable at any time unless you specify otherwise.

[DoctarPeppar Posted Mar 22nd 2010 9:59AM]

@Invader Par
ROFL Epic Fail post.
If you have Windows 7 I'm pretty sure all devices have the option for "quick removal" -- you don't have to "safely remove" anything.

[ExpectAFight Posted Mar 22nd 2010 11:01AM]

@DougieBear

That's the exact face I make when I hear dumb a** computer questions @ my job. +10

Invader Par, Come on man...

[chaos215bar2 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 11:53AM]

@tbonet So that's why Windows XP has corrupted my flash drive 3 out of the last 4 times it wasn't safely removed. I'm sure everything's fine if you don't write to the drive, but XP, at least, appears to cache writes for quite a while.

[JimJam707 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 12:35PM]

@Invader Par I rarely safely remove.

[silverton64 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 12:36PM]

@Invader Par If you look at the picture you can clearly see the WHITE LONG cords go to the external device like your cell phone or whatever so it wouldn't unplug every other device if you need the first one unplugged.....and I've never had a problem with the "safely remove feature" I've never used it, just unplug and go, always works for me.

[manofchao5 Posted Mar 23rd 2010 9:03PM]

@sshole
omg this dude combined usb with a christmas light style wiring
i've been dying for something like although hub manufacturers will be mad
only problem is they should have a 90 degree or some angle adapter so that if its plugged in a laptop or a computer in a small corner the chain of plugs wont get damaged being squashed against something

[chippytrip Posted Mar 22nd 2010 4:50AM]

this section is reporting win

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2010 4:51AM]

I bet this will be popular in San Francisco.

[uncaringbear Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:21AM]

@(Unverified) Is there a shortage of USB ports in San Fran??

[cheesebanana Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:30AM]

@(Unverified)

10/10

[DarkLord7854 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:30AM]

@(Unverified)

I lol'ed

[roltzje Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:31AM]

@(Unverified) For those who dont get it, its a gay joke. literally

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2010 6:04AM]

@roltzje
I am offended by your insinuation. I was simply making the observation that San Francisco is pretty hip town with a great appreciation for good design. Its a simple coincidence that these USBs happen to be engaged in some full-on train action.

[Bort Simpson Posted Mar 22nd 2010 6:39AM]

@(Unverified)

Ohhhh. It was about the colors. I thought it was about the buttplugs.

[Ed T Posted Mar 22nd 2010 10:26AM]

@Bort Simpson

They have USB butt plugs now? We live in amazing times...

[onlymyrailgun Posted Mar 22nd 2010 12:31PM]

@Ed T
I've seen an USB powered egg-shaped vibrator. Goes well with internet pr0n I bet.

[onlymyrailgun Posted Mar 22nd 2010 4:56AM]

If somebody can get this working cheaply with at least 3 of these together, it could actually be revolutionary! 99% of complaints regarding lack of USB ports on *certain* laptops will cease to exist!

They should also build tiny legs into some of these so they won't weigh down and distort the port. Maybe have these connect perpendicularly too.

[mark78 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:19AM]

@onlymyrailgun

Or instead of ugly tiny legs, just a short cable between the port and the first plug.

[AlienSix Posted Mar 22nd 2010 4:58AM]

Spooning for USB's

[Nitesh Posted Mar 22nd 2010 9:13AM]

@AlienSix USB peripherals need love too!

[Son Goku Posted Mar 22nd 2010 4:58AM]

USB orgy FTW.

[kawaiipikachu Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:02AM]

Well so you can have 5 USB hubs on one socket.
Time for some maths.
You can only daisy 5 hubes together due to a USB limit
so with these you can have 5 hubs the on the first hub 4 per socket then 3 on the next hub & so on.
Even if these are 4 port hubs you sure can have a lot of inputs then you can plug in your massive collection of iPods & flashdrives maybe even crap gadgets

[timmy2000 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 9:34AM]

@kawaiipikachu I thought you can have up to 124 devices on a USB pass through.

[kawaiipikachu Posted Mar 22nd 2010 10:19AM]

@timmy2000
It is true that you can have 124 devices from one port via the port but you can't have more than 5 layers from the port itself.

[rederikus Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:05AM]

Strain, snap, break, swear BUT this is a really good idea PROVIDED they are mechanically supported. It definitley needs power since 500mA won't go far once the tree starts growing.

[seangt Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:06AM]

Christmas lights have been using this same idea since forever ago, no?

[rony Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:14AM]

Love these buggers...Ahem.

[Amnesiasoft Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:15AM]

I'd have thought there was a really good reason for not doing this, since it's already used on those security devices stores plug into their display laptops.

[KGB Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:18AM]

How about we just buy the mega usb hub with 49 ports?



http://craziestgadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/49-port-usb-hub-499x333.jpg

[Herr Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:19AM]

Sony Ericsson has been doing this with their phones for some time now. (Well, not usb, their own port etc.

[RDM Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:21AM]

The iPad is still Better then other tablets.

[Michael Scrip Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:22AM]

@(Unverified)

Your comment is unverified...

[Jordo1234 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 7:08AM]

@(Unverified)
Fail Troll is Fail. -1

[Atkins Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:28AM]

@(Unverified) -1 for unrelated commenting.

[wingm4n Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:33AM]

This is not new, my minifit laptop stand (which is awesome btw) has a ventilator with a usb plug that's just like this:
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/minifit-xl-laptop-stand.jpg

[aashish bhagya Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:35AM]

My $5 unbranded usb fan already ships with this kind of usb plug... it only supports power but not data though.

[k2001 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:45AM]

The only problem is that other company will need adaptor to this standard in order for it to work.

[KGB Posted Mar 22nd 2010 6:05AM]

@k2001

Like an USB adaptor with USB port?

[Jordo1234 Posted Mar 22nd 2010 7:10AM]

@k2001
Standard USB ^^
Cable plugs into Free USB Port, The Cable attached to the thingamajig plugged into the USB Port has another USB port on the end of it.

All you's need is a USB Port :D

[or4n Posted Mar 22nd 2010 5:57AM]

And if I need first USB gadget, then what? I need to disconnect everything... I'd hate that. I'd prefer hubs.