Usb Powered -- Engadget

Crapgadget: Dead Santa edition

by Thomas Ricker posted Dec 17th 2008 at 6:11AM

Nothing celebrates excess like a holiday murder immortalized in 10 bucks of USB-powered plastic. The Mini X'mas Desktop Snowman USB Aquarium Office Gift (really, that's the name) features a built-in motor that keeps Santa's corpse and undelivered package in constant motion. Festive, sure, but only if you share The Snowman's contemptuous glee at becoming the number one pitch man for the holidays. Hurry, only two left.

Thanko USB bear gloves don't inhibit your typing, keep palms toasty

by Darren Murph posted Dec 8th 2008 at 10:53AM

Ah, how timely! Over two years after the USB-powered G-Gloves hit the scenes, in comes Thanko to bring a much needed new face to the niche. These Kumasan mittens both get powered from a single USB port and even have cutouts to allow your fingers to move freely. There's no mention of a price nor any indication that these will ever be released outside of Japan, but this is definitely a must-buy if you're headed to that side of the globe anytime soon.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Conceptually simple hack turns VGA port into power-only USB socket

by Darren Murph posted Nov 26th 2008 at 8:35AM

Seriously, it should be a Class 1 felony that there's no way to buy this. Okay, so maybe that's a stretch, but we can't get over how genius this is. As the old adage asserts, the best solutions are spawned from the most perplexing quandaries, and when one hacker determined that two USB ports on his laptop simply weren't enough, he figured out a way around it. Essentially, he utilized a VGA gender changer, a spare USB port and a bit of old fashioned solder work in order to transform an unwanted VGA connector into a power-only USB socket. Sure, the applications are limited, but are you really going to complain about an extra option for charging your cellphone / DAP / Darth Vader voice changer? No, no you are not.

[Via EverythingUSB]

Video: DIY USB pan cooks your egg faster than a cellphone

by Thomas Ricker posted Aug 6th 2008 at 1:19AM

Look, we know it's pointless and likely in violation of even the most rudimentary safety codes enacted since the Middle Ages. But there's something about DIY hackery of that 500mA USB port that tugs at the little Erector Set cobbling kid in each of us. Just wire up an off-the-shelf pan with some insulated tungsten filament and you'll be cooking an egg in about 7 minutes -- you know, after an overnight pre-heat, presumably. Now prepare to have your noodle scrambled along with an egg in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Mira B.]

Continue reading Video: DIY USB pan cooks your egg faster than a cellphone

DIY USB Popcorn Maker: pops corn, explodes your mind

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 9th 2008 at 4:22AM

You paying attention Redenbacher? Those daring kids at Instructables have created the USB Popcorn Maker from a high intensity heater light, aluminum cup, and mason jar. Add oil, non-Linux kernels, and salt and you're ready to cozy-up in an uncomfortable three-some with the Wachowski Brothers. Unfortunately, the video posted after the break jump-cuts between USB attachment and the first corn kaboom. But given the 5V USB source, you'll likely need plenty of time to get the oil boiling. Then again, nobody said this was practical.

[Thanks, Sophia D.]

Continue reading DIY USB Popcorn Maker: pops corn, explodes your mind

USB Boxer floats like a butterfly, stings like a 500mA USB current

by Ryan Block posted Mar 3rd 2008 at 4:31AM

Wipe that look off your face, it should be completely clear by now that as time progresses, the probability of a concept or thing -- any concept or thing -- being made into some form of USB-powered device approaches one. Around here we just call it Engadget's Law.

[Via technabob]

Wooden Ladybug speaker serves no real purpose

by Joshua Topolsky posted Dec 3rd 2007 at 3:19AM

What's missing from your life these days? If you said a faux-wood, USB powered, "ladybug" shaped speaker -- well, that's pretty odd. Regardless, now your sick, twisted fantasies can be fulfilled with the Wooden Ladybug mini-PA, a charming yet useless accessory for your desktop. If you don't want to stay shackled to your USB ports, you can also throw in a few AAA batteries and take this on the road. Be sure to show it off to your friends so they can congratulate you on your totally boadacious new sound system. Available now for the shockingly odd and affordable price of $13.76.

[Via Technabob]

The USB Greenhouse makes Al Gore cry

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 14th 2007 at 6:57AM

The USB Greenhouse grows plants which is good for the environment right? Oh sure, 'cept you have to keep your PC running 24/7 in order to provide the fake USB sunlight to the artificial soil. It's what life will be like when robots farm, only with Marigolds not the wee babies harvested of their electrical properties. $43 for you without a soul.

LG launches ultrathin USB-powered external DVD burner

by Darren Murph posted Aug 29th 2007 at 4:14AM

For those not quite ready to take the high-definition plunge, LG is looking to make burning those vanilla DVDs a whole lot easier whilst on the road. The uber-slim GSA-E50N (and LightScribe-equipped GSA-E50L) measure in at just 6.14- x 6.5- x 0.84-inches and weigh 0.84-pounds, come in black or white motifs, and play nice with Windows Vista. Moreover, the unit is powered completely via USB, and can burn DVD+R / RW, DVD-R / RW, and DVD-RAM discs at up to 8x speeds. Both units are slated to hit the streets soon, and while the GSA-E50N will ring up at €89 ($122), the GSA-E50L will demand an extra €10 ($14).

[Via The Inquirer]

SolidAlliance's USB 2.0 Engine HUB drives up your geek cred

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 26th 2007 at 4:17AM

Oh dork lord incarnate, meet the SolidAlliance 3-port USB Engine Hub. Modeled after a motorcycle engine, SolidA's latest features a kick starter, gear shift, and enough faux-engine revving effects to drive everyone around you nuts. ~~No word on price yet~~, but it's available starting tomorrow in Japan. Now check the video action after the break.

Update: Priced at ¥5,250 or about $43, vroom vroom daddy, vroom vroom.

Continue reading SolidAlliance's USB 2.0 Engine HUB drives up your geek cred

USB Mini Fridge keeps the dorks cool

by Thomas Ricker posted May 21st 2007 at 8:17AM

We know you've been waiting for it. Now finally, Brando brings you the $33 USB Mini Fridge. Sure, it takes 5 minutes to bring the fridge down to 8.5 degrees centigrade (47 degrees fahrenheit) and it holds just one can. But hey, it's a 5V USB-powered refrigerator dambit and that's worth it at any price.

Brando's Wii Crystal Cooler lights up your life

by Darren Murph posted May 16th 2007 at 5:59PM

Although it's been unscientifically proven that Nintendo's Wii is the least likely of the three major consoles to actually need a heat suppressing adornment flanking its side, it's no surprise that accessory manufacturers are out to get the suckers anyway. For those of you who just can't keep your Wii cool enough, and weren't about to drop any dough on the repulsive China Shenzhen Firstsing variety, Brando's coming to the rescue. The company famous for its USB-powered, unnecessarily flashy gizmos has struck again with the Wii Crystal Cooler, which utilizes USB power to fan off your Wii, sports a nifty blue LED to give it that special touch of tacky, and also doubles as a stand. It can be yours today for just $19.

The USB dancing shoe

by Thomas Ricker posted Apr 13th 2007 at 6:00AM

That ain't no USB Slipper folks. It's an honest to goodness USB powered dancing shoe. Ok, ok, the image is clearly digitally manipulated. But if we know Thanko and SolidAlliance like we think we do, it won't be long before we see a craplastic version in a production run. Check the video after the break.

Continue reading The USB dancing shoe

USB heated knee pads -- 'cause they can, that's why

by Thomas Ricker posted Mar 22nd 2007 at 10:13AM

Now you can add the $20 Warmmi "USB knee pads" to your USB heated ensemble. So what's keeping ya? Just toss your laptop into a rucksack and slip into a tethery outfit of USB knee pads, slippers, and gloves and head out to the Burning Man playa, playah. Just leave the USB lap warmer at home -- hippies hate anything Hello Kitty.

USB missle control tank ups office arsenal

by Donald Melanson posted Feb 9th 2007 at 11:06PM

USB circus cannons and stationary missile launchers are one thing, but if you really want to intimidate your co-workers (and, quite likely, get fired) you'll need to let one of these bad boys loose to roam the cubicles. While it's not completely USB-powered, plugging the tank's controller into your PC will cut down on the need for some batteries, as well as increase the number of control options (and hacking potential) at your disposal, letting you point and click your way to your desired target. The tank is also apparently no slouch when it comes to navigating hazardous terrain, able to climb a 30 degree slope and traverse rough roads (i.e. carpet), all while simultaneously being able to aim its on-board missile launcher and deliver a "precise missile strike" at targets up to 20 feet away. Naturally, it also comes equipped with a full compliment of sound effects, though we somehow suspect that won't stop you form supplying your own. At $80 plus $40 for shipping and handling, the price may be a tad exorbitant, but the sight of the tank doing its thing in the video after the break almost makes it seem worth it.

Continue reading USB missle control tank ups office arsenal