Need to grow some plants and save some power using USB power?

Here’s a quick solution for that.

With “going green” such a big trend right now you might find yourself wanting to put a little green in your workspace - and no, I don’t mean that green. The following is a video USB tutorial on taking some supplies from around your office or home, LED lights and some USB power to create your very own USB LED Greenhouse.

via GetUSB.info

Above is a picture of Tengu, it’s basically a LED display that syncs to voice and music.  You can buy one but I guess these guys over at Tinkerlog have made their own ‘DIY’ version Tangu.

This is a new version of my Tengu clone. This time on a printed circuit board (PCB). I have them produced by Olimex and I am very pleased with the quality. The PCB worked on the first try and has some minor issues only.

[via] Tinkerlog

Here’s a nice little way to put a greenhouse and grow your own mini plant while you are blogging with the USB “mini” Greenhouse.

Brighten up your dull desk with this USB plug in contraption. This product provides the maximum conditions for your plant to grow, to adorn your desk with natural beauty in no time! It contains marigold seeds for you to plant, but plant whatever you want - the seeds of your favorite flower? It also comes with fake soil, an adjustable light and removable tray, and you can monitor its progress on your PC. You can’t fail to grow a beautiful healthy plant as it even tells you when it needs watering! The ultimate desktop pick-you-up, and an enjoyable, relaxing distraction from all your hard work!

Minimum System Requirements:
• Microsoft Windows 2000, XP
• PC with Pentium 3 or compatible processor that operates at 1.5 GHz or faster
• Display adapter capable of 800 x 600 in 16 bit colour
• 256 MB of system RAM
• 200 MB available hard disk space
• CD-ROM Drive
• One available USB 1.1 port

via ubergizmo

Ever wonder, can I make my own cool looking USB hub that doesn’t look like a USB hub?
Well, here’s some good news for you, there’s full instructions over at instructables on how to make your own video cassette USB hub. Thank Alan over at HackedGadgets for finding it. (He always finds the coolest gadget hacks.)

Nowadays, usb hubs are getting smaller and smaller (and then, they fall behind your desk because the cable is heavier than the hub an then you have to crouch behind your computer to recover it)

So I needed something better (of course, i could have simply glued it in place )
I got some old videotapes to throw away, and suddenly an idea hit me: I like the look of these old tapes, needed an usb hub that won’t slide behind the desk, why not build an videotape usb hub?
And some LEDs could be added to nearly everything, and an videotape forms no exception i think..

So save an old tape off the landfills and give it a new, fancy life…

[via] instructables

Yey, here’s a fun little DIY for those of you who want to mask your secret USB drives as a “Sawed-Off USB Cable“.

This might prove to be the best security protection you ever had for your USB device. (Why didn’t I think of this before???)

Holy crap– somebody just went and TORE MY FREAKING USB CABLE IN HALF while it was still attached to my laptop!!!

No– wait– sorry. That’s just my USB drive. My bad. Never mind.

via EvilMadScientist

Wow, check out this gizmo that duplicated up to 20 USB Flash drives at one time! These days, with so many people carrying their 4GB flash drives on their neck, keychain, etc…etc…, these Giant USB Duplicators can be useful for companies trying to promote their businesses.

(For example, you could put a 4 Gigabytes of company presentations, videos, documents, etc…etc… so your clients can carry it in their pocket instead of giving them a CD, which are just way too outdated these days. Plus, you put your logo on the flash drive, it can be great viral marketing even if your client decides to erase everything and use it for personal use.)

Great Features

» Copy 20 USB flash drive automatically
» High Speed USB 2.0
» User friendly software interface
» Erase feature for USB flash memory
» Volume naming option for flash drive ID
» Format feature for those pesky unformatted drives
» Embedded verification function to insure accuracy
» Contemporary design with heavy duty case for 24/7 operation
» Copy to any size flash drive combination and from any manufacturer
» 30MBs to 20 devices is about 40 seconds.
» 250MBs to 20 devices is about 4 minutes.

You can check out their product page or press release.

FYI, this device also runs on Windows XP, meaning it’s not a standalone device. That is not a good sign. But, they ARE working on a standalone device already! (These guys are good!)

The cost for this machine is $1299, a lot cheaper than many other USB duplicators out there. Go buy one and try it. If it works well, tell us about it.

via getusbinfo

Designs like this one get my attention while SiteHoppin. It’s an awesome USB Bomb that can store, well, let’s just say it’s more practical to put a harddisk inside it than a flash memory. Besides, you could probably fit several harddrives in this weapon of mass storage.

Like it?

Well, I believe it’s only a concept right now.

Designed by Mexico City industrial designer Joel Escalona.  (Awesome designs Joel!)

Click below to check out some of other his USB work.

Continue reading ‘USB Bomb - Weapon of Mass Storage!’

Check out this USBeeee… weeeeee! I wonder if it will make it to production…

Serbian designer Damjan Stankovic, believes that flexibility in design can solve this problem. His “USBee” Flash Memory Drive won the first prize at the MS Industrial USB Competition held by the Serbian Design Community forum DizajnZona™. Ergonomically designed to bend at life’s will in any direction, this USB flash drive features a vented housing for cooling(I did not realize these needed cooling), and a detachable protective cap that snaps onto the back end of the device when not in use. No word yet if this will go into production, so all claims of memory capacity are a moot point.

via YankoDesign

I cannot even think as to why anyone would even want this item, it serves no purpose apart from if the lights went out and then it would look a bit like a lame disco. Other than that you just have to ask WHY?

USB Traffic Lights features:

4-port USB 2.0 Hub
USB Traffic Light as status indicators (Busy, Out To Lunch, Available)
10 Seconds Voice Recording and Playback
Monitor Cleaner
Memo Pad/Name Card Clipper

Priced at $26

Source [New Launches]

This is a nice little gadget that is wearing and looks nice and sleek too. Flash drives are great little devices for transporting apps and other items like documents etc.

Features:

Two Gigabytes of flash memory storage
USB 1.1 and USB 2.0
Brushed aluminum finish
Screw-cap enclosure
You can store 500 songs, thousands of photos, two feature-length movies and 3000 eBooks

Make the ideal gift for anyone who needs to move around different computers.

Priced at $27.99

Source [Think Geek]