Universal Serial Bus is a standardised method of interfacing with a computer, and is now quite commonplace in our daily lives - you can find a USB connector on the end of your mouse cable, use one to plug your iPod into your computer, or even play through an electronic piano and watch the notes appear on your computer screen. The mass-adoption of USB has allowed for a growing market of USB-based products for all kinds of purposes. Here are 10 very unusual USB-based objects - some that are curious enough to conceivably warrant a purchase, and some that are just plain, head-scratchingly bizarre.
Written by Jon
USB Food Drives
To hell with size and ergonomics! These USB memory drives in the form of popular Asian foods are colourful, quirky and will definitely spruce up a dull desk. They will also definitely hurt a lot more when you leave them in your back pocket and sit on them by accident. Can be bought in Japan from Akibaoo.
USB Ashtray
The undeniable genius of Thanko is who we have to thank(o) for this, the USB ashtray. USB is used to power a small extractor fan that drives smoke through a filter and pushes it out an exhaust vent.
USB Aroma Defuser
If the convenience of a USB ashtray at your desk has caused your work area to smell of smoke, help is at hand! This USB aroma diffuser is powered by USB but also interacts with your computer too - pleasant smells such as tangerine and lavender are released by the unit when you receive emails from friends and family.
USB Availabot
Although not in production yet, the USB Availabot is on my must-have list for the future. The little wooden puppet interacts with your computer to show when your friends are online - when they come online, he stands up, when they leave, he collapses. It’s eerily hypnotic and I want one now.
USB Bracelets
Although I probably wouldn’t find myself wearing one of these garish USB Bracelets for fashion purposes, if they are cheap enough to produce in huge numbers they might be an excellent marketing tool. Imagine going to a gig or venue and instead of them stamping your hand, they give you a USB bracelet which contains details about the upcoming shows in digital format…hmmm…
USB Novelty Speakers
These novelty USB speakers come in the shape of a cute teddy bear and a pig. For those who want a less-intrusive type of USB speaker, why not try this one - in the shape of a flower pot.
USB Aquarium
Another USB gadget for making your desk friendlier, the USB Aquarium uses USB to power a motor, creating a current for the artificial fish to swim about in. For those who work long into the night, the USB Aquarium is equipped with an atmospheric, blue LED light to illuminate your electronic aquatic world in the dark.
USB Paper Shredder
For those times when you need to dispose of confidential documents on the go, this USB Paper Shredder is an invaluable tool, if a little cumbersome.
USB Self Destruction Button
Workload getting the better of you? Solve all your problems by ending them - and everything else - with this USB Self Destruction Button! Featuring an ominous “big red button”, this device is in fact a USB hub - the buttons will not harm you or your computer in any way, they simply make sound effects.
USB Slippers
From the USB brilliance of Thanko (again) comes our last Unusual USB Object. What better way to unwind after a long day at the office than with these handy USB-powered heated slippers. I’d pick up the bluetooth wireless version if they ever made them. With the USB version, I can see myself getting up for a cup of tea and dragging my computer off the desk by mistake…
More…?
Haven’t had your fill yet? Take a look at our interview with dialog05 - designers of some rather unique USB products…
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As of December 31, 2008, PingMag and sister site PingMag MAKE are both on extended hiatus, and will not be updated for the foreseeable future. We are eternally grateful for your fantastic support over the years.
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None found
A USB Bitman notifier thingee like the availabot would be kind of cool. I really want some kind of USB driven LED ticker display too.
Self destruct button is awesome!
Posted by: Matt on July 20th, 2006 at 11:58 pm
[...] Eccovi una divertente panoramica degli oggetti USB più curiosi attualmente sul mercato: inutile dire che molti hanno origini giapponesi, e proprio da un sito made in Japan abbiamo tratto questo articolo. [...]
Posted by: Googlisti.com - far sapere è più importante che far ignorare - on July 21st, 2006 at 2:26 am
Oh… yes!! The self destruction button is great! I will need one tomorrow… . arghh
Posted by: punktpunktpunkt on July 21st, 2006 at 4:01 am
[...] PingMag 10 Unusual USB Objects [...]
Posted by: Blog Vecindad Gráfica Diseño Gráfico » Blog Archive » 10 Objetos extraños USB on July 21st, 2006 at 5:21 am
[...] usb ’til the death [...]
Posted by: !HANKpress » Blog Archive » on July 21st, 2006 at 7:13 am
Someone really should make a USB shock device: http://www.djspyhunter.com/teapot/2005/11/buzztrainer-usb-shock-therapy-gadget.html
Posted by: djspyhunter on July 21st, 2006 at 7:46 am
Haha! THE Sushi disk is just gorgeous!! But … how can anyone justify to pay Y 7980 for a USB disk ? lol!
Posted by: pricca on July 21st, 2006 at 8:30 am
Two other USB devices that I’ve encountered in Japan are a keyboard vacuum cleaner - the the shape of a duck. You koover the dust through it’s beak!
And nowadays you can get USB powered vibrators. Perfect for those evenings in, all alone, with nothing but the glow of your computer’s monitor keeping you warm.
Posted by: Chidade on July 21st, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Chidade > are we talking about USB-powered vibrators or USB-powered “massage devices”? Link please!
Posted by: Administrator on July 21st, 2006 at 2:13 pm
If talking about unusual USB drive how could forget the world tiny USB, that doesn’t fit in USB port.
Link World tiny USB drive
And one more funny drive I found for Barbie fans .
Posted by: Paavani on July 21st, 2006 at 3:27 pm
USB Availabot is hilarious! :D
Posted by: Mindaugas on July 21st, 2006 at 4:33 pm
I’m working on a USB powered electric toothbrush for those hardworking chaps like Yongfook who sleep in offices across Japan with their foreheads pressed against a warm, glowing LCD monitor.
Posted by: Andy H on July 21st, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Hahaha! Well, a quick google brings this one for sale from blowfish.com, with all sorts of settings and two differentr attachments. They also have a solar powered vibrator for those that like their sexies outdoors, hehe.
I’d lend you mine, Jon, but I don’t want it to get broken like the last one I lent you :P
Posted by: Chidade on July 21st, 2006 at 8:58 pm
I like the look of the self destruction button, brilliant for relieving stress…
Posted by: Edouard on July 22nd, 2006 at 10:14 am
That Availabot is really quite something! I want one too!
Somehow, I already saw it (and blogged about it) but not everyone seems as enthusiastic as I am or you are :-) To me, this IM-goes-hardware is simply awesome and hopefully only the beginning of devices like this…
Posted by: mark on July 23rd, 2006 at 7:37 am
Funny if the Availabot were to represent someone who’s narcoleptic or has low blood pressure problems…But I can see the Japanese (or Taiwanese, Chinese, etc) coming up with different versions of him for different markets. A Chinese vampire, maybe, who keeps resurrecting.
Posted by: vickiho on July 26th, 2006 at 4:02 pm
I’m trying to find a USB powered laptop..?
Posted by: Blogger on July 29th, 2006 at 5:25 am
USB Food drives - a new meaning to input device?
Posted by: usb review on July 29th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Haha.interesting USB,I have some thereinto
Posted by: lopez on August 2nd, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Wow these USB port ideas and designs were so creative and some were so cute. I’ve love to have some. :D
I like how they take a typical item and turn it into something special..
Posted by: Angela on August 3rd, 2006 at 5:10 pm
I love the Destruction Buttons :)
can you imagine some USB momory device like a “bubble gum” or like a “electroskocks diods” ? :P
Posted by: Jorge Mtz Dv on August 4th, 2006 at 11:41 am
I got my 128 mb Takoyaki USB Drive! It is so cute and very usefull too. The soft material may absorb some hits so this should be more durable than conventional *boring usb ala kingston sticks.
I was so surprised, this has mail software and encryption tools preinstalled - ready to use on the road! This Takoyaki is very handy one.^^
My friend had to look it hard it’s certainly sold in only few shops.
To next boring business meeting I will certainly bring my cute takoyaki, let ‘em wonder.
I only worry how long the shiny delicious cover will last in daily use. The green topping looks like easy to fall off if rubbed.
I have to add that the takoyaki USB drive (aka. Pretec Tiny USB device) appears to be quite fast drive - certainly fast enough for active use. This performed faster than my *boring Kingston USB stick.
Next time I wish I can get Sushi drive!
Posted by: ヤーッコ on August 5th, 2006 at 7:26 am
I made entry about the Takoyaki drive to my blog with close photos. I will write more soon after testing the included mail & encryption software in this delicious drive. ^^ please see this:
http://www.hanamiweb.com/log/pivot/entry.php?id=29#comm/
Posted by: ヤーッコ on August 5th, 2006 at 7:34 am
USB dildo. Enouf said.
Posted by: It's not for me. on December 10th, 2006 at 3:48 am
[...] Since USB sticks are always so popular, we introduce the latest USB fashion from Japan as an extension to the other USB gadgets we introduced on PingMag before. [...]
Posted by: PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about "Design and Making Things" » Archive » 10 last minute Christmas presents on December 22nd, 2006 at 6:03 pm
[...] USB memory sticks come in all shapes and sizes (for more examples, have a look at this article on PingMag) but I think this may just be one of the more bizarre this year. [...]
Posted by: jonkenpon - The Story of a Tokyo Web Startup » Blog Archive » 10 Gifts for Geeks! on December 25th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
I like the list but I think you missed a great USB item, the Transformer/Robot USB
http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/transformer-lego-robot-usb/
Just perfect for the Otaku crowd
Posted by: pickachu on January 14th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Hello! I am Billy Johnson Nice design. Enjoy! Good site! OK. 0n79p7k .
Posted by: billys on January 23rd, 2007 at 8:29 pm
[...] Meet Mr. Unsure. Will he get fired if he decides to come out to his boss that he occasionally dresses up like Chi from Chobits? What if his method of coming out to his boss includes wearing a pair of inflatible mammaries that he inflates before he does whatever cute robot girlfriends do (do I even want to know?). I have a feeling his boss would feel very wistful at this sight and give him a new cute usb accessory. [...]
Posted by: Chase the Gaijin » Blog Archive » Weird item get! on February 13th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Hellobrx - this is just a testing, dont worry about it
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Posted by: Testerjdo on July 4th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I like the look of the self destruction button, brilliant for relieving stress…
Posted by: resimler on July 5th, 2007 at 1:30 am
it is nice
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Thanks
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Posted by: julasoper on July 13th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
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Posted by: DigitalBoutiques on July 15th, 2007 at 4:17 am
Wow I like those usb bracelet. I wish they make them with few gig.
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Posted by: AccepeCype on April 14th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Wow cool USBs! Looks delicious too LOL
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Posted by: Sohbet on June 21st, 2008 at 8:14 pm
[...] 19Aug06 Click for article and more photos Filed under: Art, Design, Fun [...]
Posted by: Unusual USB-Objects « Moondoloco on August 14th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
thanks.
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Hmmm
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