Ten Weird and Wonderful USB Gadgets for Laptops

Sometimes, no matter how much you might want it to, your laptop just won’t cut it alone.  GWL tests the outer limits of the “universal serial bus”, and takes a look at the stranger and more innovative side of the USB accessory market. Here are ten of the weirdest and most wonderful USB accessories out there right now.

Washable Flexible Keyboard

There are a range of washable, flexible keyboards from Wetkeys, including model KBWKFC108T with a built in touchpad.  While this sort of product will seem pointless to some people, anyone who has ever travelled for extended periods understands the desirability of a keyboard you can fold up and store in your luggage.  Not only that, but this keyboard is completely washable and rated for heavy duty use.  Perfect when travelling with a laptop and wanting a little distance between you and your screen.

IRIS Pen 6 Pen Scanner

The IRIS Pen 6 is an innovative pen scanner that can enter text, numbers, and images into any application on your laptop.  This is the kind of device you don’t really know that you need until you get one, and then wonder how you ever lived without it.

No more looking around for a pen and paper to take notes, the IRIS Pen 6 simply works by sliding over any magazine or printed document you can find.  With foreign language support for 128 OCR languages and a scanning speed that is 30 times faster than manual input, this is a very capable piece of kit.  The IRIS Pen 6 Pen Scanner is selling for $129.

Dr Who Tardis USB Hub

The Dr Who Tardis USB hub is the ultimate geek friendly USB hub.  Not only is it a 4-port USB hub that is shaped like the Tardis from Dr Who, it even makes time travelling sound effects, so you can close your eyes and imagine for a moment that you’re a timelord on a mission to save the universe.

There is also a flashing lantern on the roof, and both this and the sound effects are triggered when a USB cable is plugged into the hub.  Very cool, and the ultimate accessory for all these other USB accessories.  An accessory accessory – if you will.  Only $29.99 from Thinkgeek.

USB Mini Keyboard Vacuum

This mini USB vacuum is ideal for those times when you want to clean your laptop keyboard.  While your mileage may vary with regards to how often you actually need to clean your laptop keyboard, it is surprising just how much dust these things accumulate.

I had to open mine up the other day to clean the fan, and this would have come in very useful.  It is USB powered, comes with two attachments, and has two separate power settings.  The mini USB vacuum is available from USBgeek, and costs only $12.

The Victorinox Swiss Army Presentation Master Knife

The Victorinox Swiss Army Presentation Master Knife is a real Swiss army knife that is tailor made for the 21st century.  Along with the standard scissors, nail file, and blade that you would expect on any self respecting Swiss Army Knife, you also get a USB flash drive and a biometric fingerprint sensor.

The drive has a storage capacity up to 32GB and also features the Presentation Master, which allows this device to be used as an integrated Bluetooth remote control and a laser pointer – cool.  Truly a Swiss army knife for the modern age, with a price of $244.

OOOMS Wooden USB Stick

This gadget is for those times when you just can’t stand looking at another piece of tech-enhanced cheap plastic.  The OOOMS Wooden USB Stick is made from a piece of the real world, just to remind you that the whole world is not made from polymers.

Individual pieces of wood are selected for their natural beauty and then professionally handmade into unique and practical USB sticks.  Prices depend on the storage capacity, with 1GB model going for 39 Euros, 2GB for 45 Euros,  4GB for 49 Euros, and 8GB for 55 Euros.

USB Multi-Touch Smart Pad

This touchpad and number pad is the answer to every small laptop owners dreams.  Anyone who has ever had to crank out an invoice or practice the multiplication table without a dedicated number pad knows how much longer it takes.

This device is a touchpad with an integrated number pad, with a number of two and three finger functions.  Along with rotate, zoom, and scrolling, you also get page up and down functions and proper 10-key input for all your data entry needs.  The USB Multi-Touch Smart Pad is available from Thinkgeek for $29.99.

Hitachi SimpleTough 500GB Hard Drive

Not only does this external hard drive feature a rugged construction, it also looks very cool as well.  The Hitachi SimpleTough 500GB operates on a single USB cable, has decent enough transfer speeds, and is both water and shock resistant.

While it probably wouldn’t survive a swim in the river, it should be able to handle a dropped water bottle and can apparently withstand the pressure of a one ton truck.  The Hitachi SimpleTough 500GB operates on USB 2.0 and costs around $120.

USB OptiWind Mouse

The USB OptiWind Mouse is for all those times you get sweaty palms while working away diligently on your tax returns.  Not only is it a mouse, the USB OptiWind Mouse also comes with an in-built fan that blows sweet cool air over your palm as you work.

While I admit this gadget might get annoying rather quickly, it does come with an on/off switch, as well as a cool blue LED lighting effect.  It uses USB 2.0, operates at 1500rpm, and is available from USBgeek for only $17.

USB Beverage Cooler and Warmer

This gadget can keep your favourite beverage warm or cool, which is sure to increase your productivity by at least 1000 percent.  The USB Beverage Cooler and Warmer is USB powered, comes with a built-in cooling fan, and has a stainless steel heating pad.

It is capable of cooling drinks by 7 degrees Celsius and warming them by 10 degrees Celsius.  Also available from USBgeek from $22.