The Modern Materialist

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• Your USB Device is On Crank

  Before there were cordless power devices, before there was even electricity coursing through every building, man had to crank his own electricity. Actually, I have no idea if this is true. Sorry, I slept through both history and science. Anyway, I’m sure at some point, someone had to crank something, because the Hand Crank USB Power Charger exists, and it’s a pretty cool solution for anyone who’s on the road, or camps, or, you know, doesn’t live in a house. More deets, after the jump...  Read More... Posted May 06 2008, 03:30 PM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: gadgets, green, USB

• The MM Interview: Brian Heater and the Tiniest Camcorder

  The MM Interview is a feature where I talk to people I like about stuff they love. Today I’m chatting with Brian Heater a writer for PC Magazine by day, and a comic book authority at night (almost literally… He works for PC Mag during the day, and blogs about comic books at night). As a man about town in two different worlds, Brian needed a handy video camera to document all his outings and aboutings, which  how he came across the Flip. Check it all out, after the jump...  Read More... Posted Apr 15 2008, 12:30 PM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: gadgets, Cameras, USB, Interviews

• Hubba Hubba

  At some point, someone with way more scientific knowledge than I have will explain to me why we can suddenly stick magnets on our computers. I first noticed this when Apple released it’s Front Row remote, which magnetically stuck to your ’puter. I guess this magnetic USB hub is only the second occurrence, but still… Isn’t that supposed to erase it, or something? Anyway, more vaguely unscientific info, after the jump.   Read More... Posted Apr 03 2008, 04:30 PM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: gadgets, USB

• HP’s New, 3 Megapixel Webcam

  I don’t own a webcam. I don’t own a computer equipped with one. I’m not interested in video chatting with people on the internet. This is mainly because, for the most part, the quality is pretty poor. Even Apple’s included webcam isn’t that great, and I LOVE Apple stuff, so clearly I’m on the up and up here. Specs, and more, after the jump... Read More... Posted Mar 31 2008, 11:30 AM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: gadgets, tech, USB, webcams

• Copy Up To 21 USB Drives In a Snap

  The Aleratec 1:21 USB Flash Drive Copy Cruiser copies up to 21 USB flash drives for you, simultaneously, in record time. Reasons you might need to copy 21 flash drives simultaneously: - You totally get off on backing up small amounts of information. That’s pretty much the only one I can think of. Seriously, though, folks; real reasons to buy this guy, after the jump... Read More... Posted Mar 19 2008, 01:30 PM by Alex Zalben with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: gadgets, tech, USB, PC

• USB Cup Warmer, Clock, and Hub Takes Care of Three Basic Human Needs

  I drink a lot of coffee. Like, way, way, way too much coffee. Maybe not 30 cups a day, or having my coffee on a constant IV drip or anything, but I definitely need a little fuel to keep my day going. It's nice to have a little something to sip while I scour the web, looking for the latest and hottest products to hit the market. However, the sad reality is that I’m often sipping one cup for longer than the coffee can stay hot. That’s why I kind of love this USB Cup Warmer. Not only does it keep my coffee hot, but it also has a clock (my constant need to know the time has been well documented on this blog before), and it’s a 4-port USB hub. So it hits the nerd buttons, too. It’s also USB powered, natch, so all you need is a computer, a cup of joe, and you’re good to go. [$24, Brando]  Posted Mar 10 2008, 06:00 PM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: gadgets, tech, Clocks, Food and Drink, USB