The latest USB nonsense: Neon signs

In the insane world of USB gadgetry, it's often impossible to find anything useful. And this is probably no exception, but it's at least one example we wouldn't immediately throw out.

Ever since college we've had a soft spot for neon signs, though we do have one minimum requirement: that they're legible, unlike the Bar sign included among a trio that includes the @ symbol and a smiley face seen on GeekAlerts.

But we have to ask: Is it really necessary for this to have a USB connection, as opposed to a plain old wall outlet? We seriously hope that people aren't planning to set up this stuff with their laptops while on the go--and in public.

Via Crave CNET

More than just a USBee flash drive

Some people may find this all a little tacky, but the aptly named USBee flash drive is more than just a bee-themed thumbdrive solution. Beneath its eye-catching yellow-and-black exterior is a thoughtful design concept that addresses one of the most common problems with USB flash drives today--accidental breakage while still in the PC's USB port. After all, even the smallest USB drives stick out slightly from the port to facilitate easy removal.

The USBee drive, however, uses a clever combination of silicon and aluminum shell to create a bendable neck. This can not only prevent the flash drive from being ripped off, it also protects the PC's USB port from damage. What's also interesting is that the USBee drive incorporates a unique cooling system through the black stripes to prevent the flash drive from overheating. (So far, we've not encountered any flash drives overheating, but they do get hot after prolonged usage.)
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Belkin travel powerstrip combines surge protection, USB charging

You'd think that the design for power strips and surge protectors would be pretty much played out, but Belkin has actually done some pretty interesting things with them in recent years: Clamp-on models, ones that hide all of the wall warts, and even the forthcoming Conserve, an eco-friendly model that truly shuts off connected devices at the touch of a wireless remote.

The company is taking that spirit of innovation on the road with its latest power product: The Belkin Mini Surge Protector. The travel-friendly model packs three grounded three-prong power outlets and two powered USB ports into its tiny frame, and plugs directly into the wall socket, so there's no dangling cord. A green LED confirms that connected devices are protected against surges, which Belkin backs with a US$75,000 warranty.
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Second Skin documentary a bleak look at life of online gamers

For some time I've been hearing about the documentary, Second Skin, which looks at players of massively multiplayer online games like World of Warcraft.

This evening I saw the film's world premiere in a screening at the South by Southwest film festival, and I came away from the showing feeling like I'd just seen a very bleak portrayal of a limited spectrum of the people that play such games.

I'm quite aware that my opinion was by far in the minority at the screening. The film's conclusion was greeted with raucous applause from a packed house, so it's certainly possible that everyone who liked the film saw something I missed entirely.

But my take was that the film--which focuses mainly on three distinct stories, a gamer who is so deeply addicted to World of Warcraft that he loses almost everything in his life; a household of gamers who spend almost every waking, non-working hour playing; and a couple in the early stages of a relationship that bloomed in EverQuest II--depicts these people as largely dysfunctional, out of touch with the world around them and not very capable of dealing with that world.
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Patent police raid booths at CeBIT tradeshow

Dozens of exhibitors at Europe's largest gadget confab were in for a surprise this week: Suspecting patent violations, German authorities raided 51 booths, carting off cell phones, navigation devices, and other gear that allegedly infringe on patents.

According to an Associated Press report Thursday, more than 180 police and customs officials took part in the bust, which affected 51 exhibitors at CeBit in Hannover, Germany. Of the accused, 24 were from China, 15 were from Taiwan or Hong Kong, nine were from Germany, and the others came from Poland, the Netherlands, and Korea.

The police didn't name which people or companies were targeted, but they did say the alleged patent violations deal with devices that have MP3, MP4, or digital video broadcast functions; DVD players; and blank CDs and DVDs. They managed to fill 68 boxes with gadgets, documents, and advertising material and took down the identities of nine people, most of whom were reportedly cooperative. Patent police raid booths at CeBIT tradeshow.
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