UsbSpeaker
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UCube speakers run off USB, are coming to an Amtrak quiet car near you
You can use these USB-powered UltraLink UCube speakers on a bus, on the beach, or on the table at your favorite McDonald's, but please -- for the love of god -- don't. Remember: with great convenience comes great responsibility, and if these speakers are as impressive as the dramatic marketing video below implies, disruption of the peace is about to know no bounds. At $150 per pair, these sleek sound machines aren't cheap, but each speaker is able to pump out 15 watts of peak power -- you won't be filling a large room with crisp, distortion-free sound, but they're probably loud enough to play your tunes or flicks for a group of friends, or to annoy strangers in a park. UltraLink claims that the speakers use DSP-controlled power supplies to "store energy during quiet passages," allowing the 3.25 inch cubes to reach their 15 watt peak output with 170-degree listening angles. We haven't had a chance to go hands on, but if these speakers sound half as good as they look, we may have a better solution for playing music in the CES trailer next year.
Altec Lansing's Orbit USB Stereo trumps your laptop's speakers, has split personality
USB speakers aren't exactly headline-grabbing gadgets these days, but the fact remains that most laptops could still use a little help on the audio end. If you're in need of a quick fix for your weak-sounding machine, then Altec Lansing's $49.95 Orbit USB Stereo (iML247) might be worth your consideration. As the name says for itself, both power and audio input are managed through one USB cord, meaning no batteries are required here. Better yet, when not in use, you can simply fold up the legs, stuff the cables into the hollow ends, and then twist the speakers together to form one smooth tube for storage. Of course, note that this Orbit won't work with devices sporting the common 3.5mm headphone jack, and obviously don't expect cinematic sound quality from these tiny canisters -- hey, there's always a trade-off. Hands-on pics in the gallery below. %Gallery-122790%
Crapgadget master class: USB portable media speaker with webcam
As every seasoned holiday shopper can attest, the week leading up to Christmas is critical. We've all been there: lack of sleep and proper nutrients leads to errors in judgment, collateral damage, and most heinous of all: crapgadgets. How can you be sure that the media dock that you purchased for a loved one is the real deal? Well, you could peruse our Holiday Gift Guide selection of docks and alarm clocks, for starters. But if you're in a crunch, ask yourself the following questions: Is the speaker set manufactured by the Kaiser Transmission Parts Company of Taipei? Does it feature a mind-numbing array of features? (The above example includes SD card support, a 5 megapixel webcam, and support for external storage via USB.) Does the black and orange color combination make you dizzy? And, the most telling: Does the product literature boast support for the Meizu M8? If so, then yes, you probably have a crapgadget. If you're undaunted -- and you have $53.99 to burn -- hit the source link. Or get a closer look after the break.
Crapgadget: "Wow... just, wow" edition
A buffalo USB speaker? Really? Someone thought this was a good idea? How's about a completely unlicensed Mickey Multifunction Webcam? You know, for doing lots of random crap, just not very well. Or what about an MP3 pen that helps you learn Mandarin? Yeah, 'cause that's totally beneficial in more than three locations on Planet Earth. Or, if you're still not sold, how's about a USB bamboo fountain that'll be a surefire catalyst for adding mold and mildew to any room? Believe it or not, all of these are real products that you can exchange hard-earned dollars for, though obviously we wouldn't recommend it. Cast your vote below for the most jaw-dropping of all.Read - Buffalo USB SpeakerRead - MP3 PenRead - USB Bamboo FountainRead - Mickey Webcam %Poll-27321%
Yamaha boasts world's most powerful USB speaker, the NX-U10
Question: what's the most common complaint about USB speakers? Answer: they suck. And why do they suck? They're woefully lacking in power because of the limitations of the USB port, which only outputs 5V/0.5A. Yamaha claims to have gotten around this hurdle by developing its flux capacitor "Charged Capacitor Amplifier" that, via the magic power of technology, throws out 10x the normal power to achieve 10W x 2. And to turn it up to 11, Yamaha added its SR-Bass technology to produce the "deepest bass ever" in proportion to its size. The speaker sports a stereo mini-jack and can also be battery-operated for those rare moments when you and your laptop need some "separate time." You'll be able to pick up the NX-U10 early this year for £149, or about $193 USD.
Sony VGP-USP1: a 1.1-inch thin USB travel speaker
So you've picked up a Sony speaker for your PSP and Bluetooth-enabled Walkman, but man, if only they had one for your super-swank VAIO. No worries, Sony's got you covered. The VGP-USP1 plugs into your laptop's USB port to deliver 2x2W of thimble shaking power. Still, at just 30-mm / 1.1-inches thin and 520-grams / 18.3-ounces, it makes for an easy packing, on-the-go solution for those lonely nights in front of the minibar.
Axxen unveils egg-shaped i-EGG speaker at KES
With the bevy of proprietary speaker systems out there, it's refreshing to see Axxen drop an unbiased (albeit oddly shaped) boombox of sorts that'll play nice with just about anything. Hot on the heels of its minuscule Playdisc, the company is still making noise at KES by unveiling its i-EGG DAP speaker, which sports a "futuristic" oval enclosure, detachable stereo speakers, a 3.5-millimeter audio input jack, USB port, and an SD slot for loading up your tunes. This battery-powered device also touts stereo out -- in case the mysterious internal wattage isn't robust enough for you -- and it supports both MP3 and WMA from your USB thumb drive / SD card of choice. While pricing information was not disclosed, we do know that Axxen plans to hatch this in late October for the Korean market.[Via Akihabara News]
