The pointless USB paper clip dispenser

No sooner did we post an item about an ill-advised promotional tchotchke that another one has popped up on the radar. But unlike the previous gadget, this one isn't of dubious value because of anachronistic timing; rather, it would be questionable no matter when it came out.

The reason: It's a paper clip dispenser. Not that we have anything against paper clips, mind you, but we can't exactly see the point of a dispenser that's also a pen holder with USB ports.

Hong Kong-based Earth Trek is trying to cast this in the best possible light, referring to it as a "3-in-1 stationery item" available in five colors. But if it's going to take this tack, the least it can do is provide a place to keep one's beer.

Via CNET Crave

USB Web "Button" takes a step back in time

It's hard to imagine someone using an item like this more than once, but the Push Button USB Webkey apparently isn't intended for everyday use. It's basically a keychain-giveaway type of promotional tchotchke that has just one purpose, to open up a specific Web page when pressed.

The button does include a couple of USB ports, according to Red Ferret, perhaps to encourage its presence on the desktop, rather than being tossed after the first click. The competition has gotten tougher, however, with more useful freebies like USB flash drives and even card-sized MP3 players becoming more common.

Something like the Web button might have been a bit more popular in, say, 1998.

Via CNET Crave

An alarm clock that should never be built

Crave has seen all manner of sadistic alarm clocks, from models that emit sonic booms and electrical shocks to those that fly and roll away. But the appropriately named Tyrant from Taiwanese designer Alice Wang takes sleep disruption to a disturbing new level.

If you don't turn it off, this little monster will randomly dial numbers programmed in your mobile phone every 3 minutes, according to SlashGear. That's right--not calls to yourself, but to others who surely won't be amused. Mercifully, this is only a concept so far (we hope).

Via CNET Crave

Finger mouse is just plain weird

We first saw a finger-mounted mouse more than a year ago, but our opinion of the idea hasn't changed much since then.

Granted, there's a new version that's wireless, which addresses one of our biggest complaints about its predecessor. But the new 3D Optical Computer Wireless Finger Mouse still looks too cumbersome to use comfortably for those of us who type about as much as we breathe on any given day.

And even though it's supposedly more ergonomic than a traditional mouse, according to PClaunches, we still think a bit of contortionism is needed to work the scroll wheel and other controls. Besides, just the thought of it freaks us out because it looks like some kind of robo-leech stuck to the hand.

Via CNET Crave

Flashlight DVR brings us closer to living out our 007 fantasies

Well, maybe not quite 007. I mean, for one thing, could you imagine James Bond walking around with a huge flashlight sticking out of his back pocket? Well, maybe the Timothy Dalton 007, but he was never that cool to begin with. Dalton did redeem himself in my eyes with Hot Fuzz, however.

Anyway, before this becomes a huge diatribe about how Daniel Craig is second only to Sean Connery as the best Bond, let's get back to the issue at hand. Swann Communications, a company that specializes in security monitoring devices, today announced a covert surveillance tool, the FlashlightDVR. The tool combines a working flashlight (with three degrees of brightness), color camera and Digital Video Recorder (DVR) all in one. In addition to being able to take pics, the FlashlightDVR also records video in one of two ways. Either internally, via the included 128MB flash memory, or externally through an SD card which is sold separately. The DVR in the device uses MPEG-4 and records at a resolution of 640 x 480. The recorded content can be transferred to a PC via the embedded USB port. The camera also includes a night-vision mode, which is appropriate if you're a Cheaters staff member waiting to record a late-night hookup. There is also a built-in mic if you need just that much more incriminating evidence.
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