For some reason, Tokyo-based USB accessory maker Thanko has rolled out a slew of spy gadgets in the past weeks and months. About four weeks ago, Thanko gave us a spy pen that shoots video in HD, and today we are getting the Motion Sensor Spy Pen [JP]. The device looks like a regular ballpen, but it detects people moving in its vicinity and starts recording them on video automatically. → Read More
Most of Tokyo-based Thanko’s USB accesories are utterly useless, but I don’t know what to think of their latest creation, a 80-port USB board [JP]. Yes, they put 80 USB ports on one board. You can’t transfer data over the ports but only charge your gadgets though, it’s not a USB hub. → Read More
People at work know you even though they haven’t met you. “Oh, Carl? Yeah, the keyboard guy. Dude LOVES keyboards. Won’t shut up about them. I heard he’s crazy. Like, Judo crazy. Like, don’t say anything bad about keyboards or he’ll put you in some weird Judo hold.”
If that sounds like you, Carl, then get $14 ready. → Read More
Tokyo-based crap accessory maker Greenhouse has given us a plethora of gadgets that basically make no sense over the last months, and these new USB memory sticks don’t look to be different. Much like the cork- and light bulb-shaped USB sticks Greenhouse released not too long ago, they don’t offer anything special technically. → Read More
Thanko, the Tokyo-based maker of all things USB, sometimes produces gadgets that aren’t silly. Today, the company announced the Micro Sport MP3 Player [JP] that’s supposed to be especially suitable for people who want to listen to music while doing sports. The only drawback is that the thing doesn’t look to be designed for this purpose at all (but maybe that’s just me). Integrating one earbud into… → Read More
For some reason, Toyko-based USB accessory maker Thanko is selling a wide range of “spy gadgets”, with a button camera and an HD video pen as the latest additions to the line-up. Today Thanko gives us a wrist watch [JP], which may look rather unassuming from the outside but actually sports a micro spy camera. → Read More
Tokyo-based USB gadget maker Thanko gave us a video camera button last July, which was basically a mini camera for your shirt or jacket that could be used for secretly recording video. And today the company started selling the second version [JP] of the Spy Button Camera whose main new feature is the sound recording function. → Read More
Today is AMBER alert awareness day, so this is as good a time as any to get a ID kit for you child. The kits are sold on the official AMBER alert website, and allows you to store all of your child’s information (as well as information about the rest of the family) in one easy to carry USB device. You can purchase the My Child ID kits for $39.95 from the AMBER alert website. → Read More
Tokyo-based USB accessory specialist Thanko has a thing for spy gadgets. Just look at their spy button camera, the USB necktie with a built-in camera and the camera watch they developed in the last few months. Last July, Thanko started offering a a pen with an integrated micro camera. And today the company announced [JP] the so-called Super Slim Video Pen 2, which is a spy pen that shoots video in… → Read More
I don’t know what it is about Japan and USB, but Nippon just keeps on churning out USB-powered crap gadgets. Thanko is one of the Tokyo-based companies responsible for this phenomenon, the other is Greenhouse. And Greenhouse announced not one but two silly USB gadgets, memory sticks to be more exact in the last 48 hours: One is shaped like a cork [JP], the other like a mini light bulb [JP]. → Read More
The special Michael Jackson PS3 bundle (PS3 plus “This Is It”, a documentary–concert film, on Blu-ray ) unveiled today by Sony Japan wasn’t the only relevant product announcement for Japanese Jacko fans today. Nagoya-based Hagiwara-Sys Com is to release the film on two very unique media [JP], namely on a USB flash memory and an SD card. → Read More
Tube or valve amplifiers are electronic amplifiers that make use of vacuum tubes to boost the power of a signal. They’ve been around for decades, and some audio freaks still love the sound they help to produce. And they look kind of pretty, too. Reason enough for Hanwha Japan to come up with the US-0498 [JP], a PC speaker that looks like a tube amplifier (but isn’t one). → Read More
If you saw the post yesterday about the 10-port USB hub and thought to yourself, “We’re getting there but I still need MORE!” then here’s your answer. It’s a 24-port USB hub. If 24 ports isn’t enough for you then I give up. → Read More
Back in August, I blogged about Thanko’s Catgirl Earphones, which were shaped like cat ears. And today, the notorious Tokyo-based USB gadget maker started selling the so-called Hot Cat Gloves [JP]. A big day for the Cosplay crowd, especially those with a penchant for dressing up as a catgirl.
These things may appear totally silly, but Thanko says that the Catgirl Earphones from the summer are… → Read More
How many USB ports is too many? Not ten, apparently. Meritline.com is selling a ten-port USB 2.0 hub for an actually-reasonable price of $26 with free shipping. → Read More
Adding an external display to most modern laptops isn’t a big deal; and many desktops natively support dual displays. But adding a third, or even a fourth, display can be a challenge. The NewerTech USB 2.0 Display Adapter aims to make adding extra monitors as easy as plugging in a USB gadget. Macs can add up to 4 monitors, while PCs can add up to six! → Read More
Tokyo-based crap USB gadget vendor Thanko does roll out devices from time to time that are not that crappy. And their so-called AV Bank Dodeka [JP], a media player that boasts a 7-inch screen (iPhone: 3.5 inches), seems to be one of those. It’s a major upgrade to the AV Bank Thanko started selling just last month.
The Dodeka’s LTPS screen has a 800×480 resolution and can double as a digital… → Read More
A Japanese company called Futen (they don’t have a website) is selling a USB flash drive that uses face recognition technology to check the identity of users. Needless to say, the so-called Lockface only works with your computer’s web cam. → Read More
You spent all your Christmas money on a terrific new HDTV, but then you realize that all the movies you’ve downloaded are stored on your PC. You don’t want to run cables from your PC to your new HDTV, but you really want to enjoy watching those moves on your big screen. What to do? If you’re using Windows (sorry Mac and Linux users), check out the Warpia Wireless USB Audio &… → Read More
Tokyo-based USB gadget maker today started selling two spy cameras, the so-called Camera Cap [JP] and the LED Spy Light [JP]. While it’s a bit of a stretch to call the latter a spy accessory, the bizarre cap can surely be used for undercover reconnaissance and other shenanigans. As to be expected, both gadgets are kind of silly and powered by USB. → Read More
Tokyo’s best gadget maker Thanko seems to be on a roll this winter. They already released a couple of USB-powered slippers, gloves and similar crap gadgets. Their newest offering is the Nekotan, a pair of USB-powered black cat paw gloves [JP]. No, I don’t get it either. → Read More
Short Version: The GBoard costs $19.99. It’s a USB keypad that has nineteen specially labeled keys for specific GMail actions: search, reply, reply all, star, archive, etc. The back of the unit has an adjustable lever so you can change the angle of the keypad. I’m left wondering what problem this accessory solves. → Read More
Hot off yesterday’s news of the DIY USB wall outlet (replace your standard outlet plugs with two USB plugs) comes a product that addresses the shortcomings inherent with getting rid of the standard plugs altogether: a wall plate with both standard and USB plugs. Problem solved – and it only costs $10. → Read More
If you’ve got a surplus of power outlets in your home, I guess you should probably convert one to a USB outlet. It can be done for less than $10 and apparently only takes about 30 minutes. → Read More
It’s Thanko time again. The Tokyo-based company, famous for gadgets like the USB-powered boob warmer, the USB eye warmer or the USB gloves, is now offering not one [JP] but two [JP] USB-powered, heated slippers – just in time for winter. I can’t decide which one is uglier, but maybe you can. → Read More
Infamous USB gadget maker Thanko can’t be stopped, it seems. They gave us USB-powered shavers, USB-powered neckties and even USB-powered boob warmers. And today the Tokyo-based company started listing the USB eye warmer [JP] in their online store. As you might expect, it warms your eyes. → Read More
Tokyo-based Cube Works, whose products regularly find their way outside Japan (example: the humping USB dog), has announced a mini Yoda figure (the little green guy from Star Wars) that you connect to your computer’s USB port. The power is needed to make Yoda’s cheeks blush and illuminate his light saber. → Read More
The Japanese madness for all things USB continues. Today I can give you an Alien figure that you can connect to your computer’s USB port. It then sticks out its nasty tongue at random times, backlit by a spooky red LED. Apart from that, the thing isn’t good for much else → Read More
The PogoPlug, reviewed earlier this year, is a simple no-fuss NAS solution. I enjoyed using the product, and so have many other folks. In just the few short months since my review, the crew at PogoPlug have updated the hardware and features, and are rolling out their latest iteration. The new PogoPlug features four USB ports, a new address book feature, global search across all the drives attached… → Read More
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