Brando's USB mailbox lights up, thrills your heart when email arrives

Is the plastic heap you're peering at above anywhere near as cute as the notifying papercraft Wall-E we spotted late last year? Not even close, but it's equally captivating. Crafted by the geniuses at Brando, the USB Mail Box Friends Alert works with Windows-based machines that happen to have an open USB port. Simply plug it in, install the software and link your Facebook, Twitter or email account; when a new message arrives, the mailbox lights up, a sound can be emitted and the flag can even raise to alert you. Never mind the fact that the flag should only raise when you've got something in the outbox -- you know you're dropping $18 on this, anyway.

[yeoldgreat1 Posted Jul 9th 2010 9:18AM]

Nice, the flag raising is a nice touch!

[geolemon Posted Jul 9th 2010 10:05AM]

@yeoldgreat1 I don't think the flag actually /raises/...

[sirphunkee Posted Jul 9th 2010 10:32AM]

@yeoldgreat1

It would actually be best if I could set the flag to pop up only when it's an e-mail from my girlfriend

[grundy923 Posted Jul 9th 2010 5:05PM]

@yeoldgreat1 how is that a nice touch? you're only supposed to put the flag up when you're sending something out from your mailbox, not when you receive something.

[wolfticket II Posted Jul 9th 2010 9:19AM]

This is the cutest usb mail notifier i have ever seen. ZOMG im getting one.

[Hanson Posted Jul 9th 2010 10:43AM]

@wolfticket II

Ironically it is also the ugliest usb mail notifier I have ever seen.

[wolfticket II Posted Jul 9th 2010 10:47AM]

@Hanson
As it is the only one I have seen, I will have to agree with you.

[Av4ry Posted Jul 9th 2010 9:22AM]

*Alternative*

Well if you had a smartphone it could vibrate to your hearts desire too.

Just without the attractive red light.

[TerrorX Posted Jul 10th 2010 1:47AM]

@Av4ry My blackberry has a red light :)

[hammydbest Posted Jul 9th 2010 9:44AM]

Just YES

[metanup Posted Jul 9th 2010 9:46AM]

How about engadget comments on that as well?

[Skafri Posted Jul 9th 2010 9:50AM]

Adorable!

[notfred Posted Jul 9th 2010 10:23AM]

Nowhere in the Brando page does it mention the flag raising.

[GoTigs Posted Jul 9th 2010 10:52AM]

@notfred
really?
"Sound options for new message and **flag rise** for new message"

[notfred Posted Jul 9th 2010 10:55AM]

@GoTigs Ooops! Uh, I swear that wasn't there when I read it!

[flex10 Posted Jul 9th 2010 12:59PM]

@notfred u got served

[Ben64 Posted Jul 9th 2010 2:17PM]

What a waste of energy....

[grundy923 Posted Jul 9th 2010 5:05PM]

"Never mind the fact that the flag should only raise when you've got something in the outbox -- you know you're dropping $18 on this, anyway."

Uhhh, no. I'm not dropping $18 on this.

[fastm3driver Posted Jul 9th 2010 10:16PM]

@grundy923 I had a design for this exact product 5 years ago and quit my job to work on it. I wanted it to go for $10 but couldn't get near that price so I gave up. I'm glad to see that was the right move before sinking 10's of thousands into it.

[compking Posted Jul 9th 2010 5:47PM]

that's pretty awesome(!)... in a useless kind of way... ha

[LaserGuidedSocks Posted Jul 9th 2010 6:45PM]

. . . I don't see the point ,my cat can do the same thing

[Colin S Posted Jul 9th 2010 6:48PM]

Total crapgadget. I want it.