Brando
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Brando's 4-in-1 desk lamp completes your workstation
Oftentimes, Brando's assortment of "must-have" doohickeys don't actually do much for your productivity level. This particular gizmo, however, bucks that trend in glorious fashion. The $23 USB 4-in-1 Web Cam is a fairly standard desk lamp with built-in LEDs that also acts as a webcam, voice input device and fan. Best of all, this one's USB-powered, though that could spell disaster (or "USB hub") if your sockets are already occupied with other Brando gear.
Brando's Solar Mini Clip Fan ruins your shot at picking up friends
Unless you're strolling through Disneyland (or Dollywood, we suppose), we can't imagine anyone not giving you an awkward stare when you approach them with this on. Brando has triumphed once more by offering up the Solar Mini Clip Fan, which does a remarkable job of explaining itself. For those who can't understand what's going on here, it goes like this: clip on the fan, get out in the sun, experience a mild breeze on your brow and enjoy the solitariness. Obliterate your shot at being the life of the party for just a Hamilton.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
Brando's USB M.A.D. Game Pad has removable steering wheel because it can, darnit
Let's face it: you don't have nearly enough game controllers and accessories adding to the spaghetti that is your entertainment center. This USB M.A.D. Game Pad gives you the option to remove a little steering wheel for those moments when you're not driving about. Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, this Brando product is available for $20. So, why? Apparently this thing is meant for the gamer on the move -- it's small and light, measuring only 4 x 2.5-inches and weighing in at a dainty 3-ounces. As for the size of the steering wheel? It's tiny. Really tiny. For tiny people with tiny fingers. Can you feel the love?
Brando's USB LED Message Board keeps all eyes on you
Okay, so you understand the concept of a scrolling LED belt buckle, correct? Good. Brando has taken the novelty found in the aforementioned waist adornment and shoved it into yet another zany USB-powered gizmo. The USB LED Message Board can store up to eight phrases and supports five scrolling modes, sound effects and animated messages. Just make sure your boss' dirty little secret doesn't mysteriously end up on the new office ticker.
Unitek's SATA HDD Dock throws in multicard reader, one-touch backup
If you've managed to blink over the past few weeks, you may have missed it. Missed what, you ask? The war between no name HDD racks, that's what. After numerous evolutions of the HDD Stage Rack managed to capture the hearts of at least a few storage junkies out there, we've seen a barrage of competitors surface over at Brando. The latest is Unitek's SATA HDD Multi-Function Dock with One Touch Backup, which -- to be totally frank -- does a phenomenal job of explaining itself. For those a touch slow on the uptake, this unit enables any internal 2.5- / 3.5-inch SATA drive to be accessed externally, and furthermore, it packs a couple of USB 2.0 ports and supports a whole slew of memory cards. You could grab this one now for $53, but then again, you never know what will leapfrog it next week.[Via The Red Ferret Journal]
Crapgadget: revolving USB hub, revolting MP4 watch, lavish amounts of lameness
Consider yourselves fortunate. You've had well over two whole months without an episode of Crapgadget, but today, that grace period ends. The most recent laughable load includes an absolutely vile wristwatch that supposedly plays MP3s / MP4s if you can manage to glance away from the bezel and band. Furthermore, we've got a TV tuner and webcam -- in one -- alongside a way-too-expensive WiFi sniffing pen that doesn't do 802.11n. Bringing up the rear is Connectland's 180° X2 Revolving USB Hub, which clearly raises the bar in USB hub design stupidity. Per usual, we're begging for your vote on the crappiest below, but we'll understand if you just can't bear the thought of spending another moment thinking about these pitiful creations. %Poll-15846% Read - Golden MP3 / MP4 watchRead - Plustek TVcam VD100Read - Revolving USB hubRead - WiFi sniffing pen
Brando's four-port USB hub comes with on / off switches
This four-port USB hub cube from Brando almost makes sense. You see, the top two ports have on / off switches which, if you use USB to charge things, may be a useful feature. But then we gotta wonder what kind of USB device doesn't either shut down automatically or stop charging once it has gotten all the juice it needs. That all said, if you're looking for a 4-port hub with on / off switches, this could be yours for $12.
HDD enclosure wedded with multi-function dock -- has to be Brando
We're still torn on whether we'd have this or one of those always-evolving HDD Stage Racks at our desk, but really, you can't go wrong either way. Brando's 2.5-inch SATA HDD Enclosure with Multi-Function Dock pretty much explains itself, but if you struggle with piecing things together, we're here to help. The unit holds any 2.5-inch SATA drive you care to insert, and the base doubles as a 2-port USB hub and multicard reader. The whole thing is just $25 -- the tough part is choosing between red or black. Hmm.
Brando offers world's smallest wireless mouse, "probably"
Brando has never been one to let facts or practicality get in the way of a new product offering, and it's staying true to form with its latest mouse, which it boldly proclaims is "probably the world's smallest 2.4GHz wireless mouse." Apart from that rather dubious claim to fame, the mouse looks to be a pretty standard optical number, with it boasting a switchable 400 / 800 / 1600 dpi, a promised 70 hours of continuous use on a charge, and a range of about 23 feet. If that sounds like it'll get the job done for ya, you can order one now in your choice of black or silver for $29.
Brando reveals a wireless nunchuk
Much like Nyko's wireless adapter, Brando is offering up their own version, for the same price ($20). Unlike the Nyko Kama, this is merely an adapter, which houses the original, wired nunchuk and allows you to wrap up the wires, as pictured. We're not sure how comfortable Brando's option is, but if it's anything like the Nyko adapter, it's a really good option for those that hate wires.Anybody interested in a wireless adapter for their nunchuk? Does the wire bother you that much or are you fine with having the wire there?[Via Engadget]
Wireless Wii nunchuk adapter frees you from cabled bondage
The Wii Wireless Adapter for Wii Nunchuk controller, as it's so eloquently called, connects to your current nunchuk, untethering you from that not-always-necessary Wii Remote (or simply preventing the cable waggle). It's powered by two AA batteries and is available from Brando for $20. It's not the first wireless nunchuk we've seen, but from the looks of this one, it could help direct your finger to that hard-to-find Z button.
Brando keeps up the silly with Bluetooth PDA stylus "headset"
It looks like everybody's source of wonderfully useless gadgets has managed to pull yet another trick out of its hat, with Brando now breaking the common sense mold once again with the so-called " Stylus Hanging Bluetooth Headset." Apparently targeting those that find traditional Bluetooth headsets a little too convenient, this wonder of convergence crams a full-fledged Bluetooth headset into an over-sized PDA stylus, which will let you both talk on the phone and use your PDA -- just not at the same time (unless you use the earphone attachment, that is). $30 and it's yours.[Via The Raw Feed]
Brando's Wii Multi-Axis Racing System: a few notches above awful
We know, there's only so much you can do to a foam donut to make it, well, more than a foam donut, but Brando's trying its best to one-up the competition by adding in a stand. With Mario Kart Wii launching in under a fortnight (in the US, at least), the Wii Multi-Axis Racing System is vying for those hard-earned dollars by giving racers the ability to grip something stuck to an immobile surface rather than just flailing around with some sort of lightweight Wiimote-engulfing circle. And at just $18, it even gives the first-party Wii Wheel some serious competition. Okay, so maybe "serious" is an overstatement.[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
The first (somewhat) decent Wii Wheel clone
Third-party accessory manufacturers have been putting out steering wheel attachments for the Wii remote long before Nintendo pulled the curtain on its Wii Wheel, but, like the Wii Wheel, they're simple models, plastic molded into circular shapes with an open slot for the controller.Brando's Wii Multi-Axis Racing System has a more traditional design with an attachable steering column and suction cups at the bottom to keep it in place. It really looks more expensive than the $18 Brando is asking for it, but you'll have to remember that there are no actual electronic or complex parts.Mounting the wheel to the column should keep the Wii remote angled correctly while you race around Mario Kart's tracks, but, then again, that might also make it tough to pull off waggle stunts. Drift past the post break for more photos of the Wii Multi-Axis Racing System.
Brando offers up CAT5 / CAT6 HDMI extenders
The same folks bringing you a colorful line of HDMI cables are also doling out a new set of HDCP-compliant HDMI extenders. Up first is the VP3OT001200, which enables 1080p signals to be carried an additional 30 meters over CAT5, promising signaling rates up to 2.2Gbits / second. If 30 meters won't quite cut it, the VP3OT001300 enables transmissions to go an additional 20 meters by utilizing CAT6 cabling instead. Both choices come with a power supply, sender and receiver module and can be snapped up now for $59 and $71, respectively.Read - 30 meter VP3OT001200 HDMI extenderRead - 50 meter VP3OT001300 HDMI extender
Brando's Laic HDMI cables are oh-so-colorful
Tired of overpriced and / or totally plain HDMI cables? Fret not, as Brando's looking to make your setup entirely more vivid with its Laic Colorful HDMI cables. These v1.3b-compliant cords are available in purple, green, black, white, red and orange and even boast 24k gold-plated tips (astounding, we know). Sure, $19 for a 1.5-meter cable is still a tad on the high side, but hey, it's either this or a day wrestling with the paint can.
Third party Eee PC accessories hint at Eeecosystem
You must doing something right to capture the attention of third party accessory makers. Meet Brando's $18 Car and $23 Travel Chargers for the Eee PC. Of course, ASUS already sells an official travel charger so really, only the Car Charger is likely to garner any interest. Still, it does makes us wonder if a "Made for Eee" logo and licensing tithes are just around the corner?Read -- Car ChargerRead -- Travel Charger
USB Aroma Radio almost smells as bad as the regular kind
If you're like us, you're sure to have fond memories of gathering around the radio in your jammies on Saturday morning and listening to the likes of Adventures in Odyssey and Life with Luigi; an experience that was only marred by the smell of your Dad's rotting stereo speakers. Maybe that was just us? Well, perhaps you can learn to commiserate with this USB Aroma Radio + Speaker from Brando. It sounds a lot like that Aroma Geur radio we saw a while back, only it's about $400 cheaper and probably much less likely to synchronize its aromas and LEDs to the music. You can also use the unit as a line-in speaker if you've had enough of radio -- and who hasn't.
ANEO GX-10 webcam reeks of EyeToy
Apparently, the Eye Toy craze has extended well beyond Sony's famed PlayStation brand, and it looks as if the ANEO GX-10 is a new (and inexpensive) way to get the same kicks in a different fashion. Offered up at none other than Brando, this USB-connected device enables PC users to interact with a trio of games (Kungfu, Super Knight, and Funny Stair for those already on the edge of their seat) as well as spark up a video chat on a whim. Granted, we don't expect this thing (nor the software) to be of top-shelf quality, but hey, it's hard to knock for $33.[Via I4U News]
Brando's 2.5-inch enclosure with "RFID security"
Egads, Brando has stepped out of their techno-kitsch stronghold and into something potentially useful. The appropriately cryptic STYSEN E08 is a 2.5-inch USB 2.0 SATA disk enclosure with a bit of RFID trickery baked in. With the RFID fob in hand (and at an unspecified range), the drive can be encrypted and decrypted -- an LED glows to communicate the drive's locked or unlocked state. Unfortunately, there's no details about the "hardware-based encryption" used which makes us wonder about the level of safety vs. gimmickry within. Yours for $56 with 2x RFID keys... you know, just in case.
