GeekSugar

Every Beatles Song on an Apple-Shaped USB Drive

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:06:47 -0800

Only 30,000 of these limited-edition Beatles USB drives will be made, and are expected to be released in North America on Dec. 8. For $280, the 16GB drive contains the entire Beatles catalog, plus extras like videos, album art, and photos. Since they'll probably sell like hot cakes, you can preorder yours now via the official Beatles store.

Beatles albums still aren't available in the iTunes store and I'm curious how fast these devices will sell out. The concept is great and the drive has a cool design, but would you fork over nearly $300 for the digital music files?

Boardy Paper USB Stick: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:25:42 -0700

Admittedly, I have a ton of USB sticks and funky flash drives hanging around my desk, but I have never seen one made out of paper. Until I found one while surfing online, that is.

But the Boardy USB Stick isn't your usual run-of-the-mill flash drive - it's made out of recycled paper and electronic parts to make an eco-friendly product you can use in any format. The only unfortunate thing about this product is its website. There's no price listed, and there's no mention of any memory capacity. Bummer.

Retro Cool Meets High Tech: USB Portable Turntable

GeekSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:45:36 -0700

Vinyl is making a comeback! Many artists are now releasing albums on vinyl as well as digitally.

There's something about the sound of a vinyl record that makes any song - even a new release - sound totally old-school. I've mentioned my love for retro-style record players before, but this Ion USB Portable Turntable ($140) from Urban Outfitters is the perfect mix of retro and tech. It hooks up to your computer via USB, which means you can turn your favorite vinyl tracks into MP3s. Also, it's totally portable, and runs on batteries or connected to a wall outlet.

I want to use this to import my parents' record collection into my computer - the turntable supports both regular-sized records and 45s. Plus, since it's portable, it's perfect for parties.

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Tengu Lip-Syncing USB Toy: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:44:27 -0700

Although these little guys don't provide any sort of service, assistance, or overall use, they are pretty cute. The Tengu Lip-Syncing Toy ($40) sits on your desk and entertains you while you work by lip-syncing to the sounds around you. Even if you aren't blasting your iTunes, he'll still mime the sounds of your co-workers laughing, or the TV that's playing in the background of your home office - check out a demo on Tengu's website. Practical? No. Cute? Absolutely.

Hook It Up With the Cassette Tape USB Hub

GeekSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:44:19 -0700

I'm not sure if it's the fact that this Cassette Tape USB Hub is, well, a cassette tape that makes me a little bit excited, or if it's the fact that I can hook up four more peripherals to my machine when I need it. Having some extra ports can come in super handy when I'm rocking my stylish netbook and need to connect my camera and external hard drive at the same time. Or you know, to plug in my USB mini fridge to cool my Diet Coke. Whatever.

I could easily throw down the $15 or so that it takes to get my hands on this, mostly because I have an obsession with mixed tapes and old-school boomboxes.

3 Ways to Back Up Your Data

GeekSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:06:07 -0700

Computer crashes are probably the most devastating event of a person's technological life. Not to mention one of the most expensive. So how many times do I gotta tell ya? Back up that data! It's easy to do, and once you do it, you'll not only have peace of mind but will have all of your photos, music, and personal documents safely out of your computer in case of any crazy power surge or (knock on wood) worse. Check out three easy ways to back up your most important data in this slideshow.

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I See Myself Loving the Four Eyes USB Flash Drive

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:05:27 -0700

Aw, yeah. Right when I think I have seen every novelty USB drive (and really started to get tired of them, to tell you the truth), I see this: the Four Eyes USB Flash Drive ($36) from Fred Flare.

Made to look like the black plastic glasses that launched a geek-is-chic craze in accessories (which I'll always associate with Weezer's Rivers Cuomo), the drive holds 2GB and is still thin enough to tote around with you - Fred Flare even recommends using it as a bookmark. Because reading has always been geek chic too, of course.

Good Idea/Bad Idea: USB Card Swiper For Online Shopping

GeekSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:48:56 -0700

Online shopping just got a whole lot easier - or more dangerous, depending on your shopping self-control (personally, I identify a little too well with a certain fictional character).

The SmartSwipe USB Card Reader ($87) plugs into your computer's USB port, and from there, when you want to check out at an online store, you swipe your card, just like you'd do at a department store counter.

SmartSwipe's main selling point is in its security - but the fact that you don't have to key in your credit card number makes an online impulse purchase way too easy. I want this - but think it's a bad idea for me.

What about you - is the SmartSwipe Card Reader a good idea or a bad idea for you?

Laptop Essentials Kit Keeps You Working Wherever You Are

GeekSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:07:36 -0700

Although I'm hoping that my Summer travels are more for the purpose of pleasure than business, I can appreciate this Laptop Essentials Kit ($45) for either situation. The good news is, Sharper Image is thinking ahead (no, they aren't totally dead), and have made all the contents of this kit ultra portable - both mini sized, and with retractable cables for clean and easy storage.

Coming stocked with a mouse, a number keypad, USB cable, ethernet cable, iPod Cable, USB adaptor with four USB ports, and earbuds (as well as a few other goodies), the kit should be easy to toss in your laptop bag since all the contents come in a nice and neat leather case. Business travel just got so much easier!

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Jeweled Bug Flash Drive Necklace: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:35:24 -0700

I've been seeing a bug trend lately in accessories, so it's kind of rad that this Jeweled Bug Flash Drive Necklace capitalizes on the trend, while doubling as a handy flash drive.

The 2GB $19 necklace is the latest in a surprisingly long line of USB necklaces, like the Crystal Rose USB Necklace and the I Heart U USB Necklace, which are also jeweled. They didn't have to be jeweled for me to notice them, but it doesn't hurt.

While I'm still torn about whether I need to keep my memory around my neck, I do kind of love the cute bug.

What about you?