Category — USB gadgets

Want to monitor your business or your home via your cell phone or Blackberry? The ConnectVu-Cam is a USB security camera that streams a live video feed to your cell phone, Blackberry or PDA via your computer.

The ConnectVu-Cam features a built-in microphone and low-light sensor which will activate attached LED lighting. With the included software, up to 5 users can view the same video feed using their cell phones. The software also allows users to program the web cam with email security alerts when motion is detected.

In addition to traditional security applications, the mobile component of this web cam might make it a good option for parents who want to keep an eye on the kids, or even the babysitter.  Find out more about the ConnectVu-Cam at CCTV Mobile.

Bet you thought you’d never have another use for those stacks of vinyl record albums collecting dust in your attic. Turns out you might just want to drag them out again thanks to this new gadget. The USB turntable above allows you to convert your vinyl into MP3 files for playing on your iPod, your computer, or other MP3 player.

The USB output turntable includes an integrated stereo phono cartridge, and the necessary software- Cakewalk Pyro 5, which includes options for sound restoration. This USB record player is made by Audio-Technica, and it works with 33 and 45 RPM records.

I found the Audio-Technica USB Output Turntable at Amazon for $93.00 plus shipping.

Keep your drinks cool or hot with this fun USB gadget. It’s a USB refrigerator big enough to hold one can of your favorite soda. I love the retro shape of this thing- just like bringing Grandma’s old refrigerator to your computer desk. This USB refrigerator has a hot and cold button, and will heat up or cool down within just a few seconds.

Just for added giggles, the USB fridge has an interior light which comes on when you open the door. Imagine the envy of your friends and coworkers when they see this cool gadget on your desk. It’s compatible with all operating systems, and I found it at Sourcing Map for $28.99 plus shipping.

Need more USB ports for plugging in your favorite new gadgets? Try a USB hub or USB bar for quickly adding more spots for hooking up.

Here’s a new gadget designed just for Skype. It’s the latest IPEVO Skype Phone. This one includes an LCD display for caller ID and displaying your Skype contact list. It also has a built-in recording feature so you can easily record your Skype calls.

The IPEVO Skype phone is said to have nice call quality- 16K for Skype to Skype calls and 8K for Skype to land line calls. It includes a USB cord for plugging into your computer, a type A connector, and necessary software. Check out Skype here.

I found this IPEVO Skype Phone on Amazon for $39.99. It’s available in black and white.

Here’s a personal GPS tracking gadget that looks like interesting: the SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker Messenger. It has a built in GPS chip which monitors and reports the user’s location from anywhere on the planet, and it works with Google Earth to provide real-time location mapping. The SPOT GPS tracker has a built in help and emergency buttons which allow the user to immediately send location reports to select family members, friends, or emergency services.

Here are a few ideas for using the SPOT GPS tracker:

Track a Teenage Driver: This GPS tracker can be tossed in the glove box of a car to monitor your teenager’s location at all times.

Child Safety: Clip the SPOT GPS tracking system inside a child’s backpack for added peace of mind.

Hiking/Camping: Use for added safety when no cell phone service is available.

Photo by Cabela’s.

There’s no doubt about it- having all the latest gadgets means a mess of power cords and chargers. Here’s an easy and neater way to charge all your gadgets at one time without the massive tangle of AC adapters and cell phone chargers.

The Family Charger Station allows you to charge up to three gadgets at once, including your iPod, cell phone, Blackberry or PDA. It works like a power strip with built in adjustable holders. Simply plug in your chargers, hide the cords in the built in compartments on the back side and pop in your gadgets. You can set this charging station on a desk or counter top or mount it to the wall. If found this charging station at Improvements for $39.99.

Here’s a gadget for the repressed scientist in all of us…it’s a USB powered microscope. The hand held digital 1.3 megapixel microscope also comes with a stand for stationary viewing. With the USB microscope, you can examine all sorts of things that might be on or around your desk, or stuck in your laptop keyboard. It magnifies up to 200X and displays on your computer screen. It also has built-in LED lights for back lighting all the unusual things you might want to magnify.

This USB gadget is a bit pricey, especially if you aren’t working in a lab and want to use it just for fun. I found it at ThinkGeek for $349.99, and it is compatible with both MAC and Windows, including Vista. Does this thing remind anyone else of the animated desk lamp in all the Pixar films?

Just can’t quit snapping those digital pictures? If your computer is bogged down by folder after folder full of digital photos, here’s a cool gadget for you. The Polaroid PhotoKeeper is an 80GB portable hard drive designed to store up to 80,000 digital photographs. The photo storage hard drive comes with an AC adapter, USB cable and a carrying case. This new gadget is easy to install- when you plug it into your computer it automatically detects the location of all your digital photo files and stores them. I found the Polaroid PhotoKeeper portable hard drive at QVC for $144.

Oh, the things you can do with a little creativity and a couple USB ports. The “Crunching Dogs” USB gadgets workout, tirelessly doing ab crunches while plugged in to your computer’s USB port.

Of all the USB gadgets I’ve seen, including coffee warmers and mini-vacuum cleaners, I think the “Crunching Dogs” have the most personality- by far. But, according to Coolest-Gadgets, these little guys have no on/off switch, so you may have to eventually pull the plug on them if you want to get any work done. However, I bet everyone at the office will somehow be jealous of these four-legged USB accessories, even if they occasionally get annoying. These USB dogs are available at Think Geek for $9.99 each.