USB: Universally Altering Your Peripherals - Universal Serial Buffoonery
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As technology trends cater to the 'on the go' set, we're seeing a rapid growth in devices that draw power from the automobile cigarette lighter socket. Now the average commuter can brew coffee, tend to hair emergencies, and watch DVDs, as well as charge their handhelds while sitting in traffic. Some of the lighter socket appliances, GPS devices and cell phone adapters come to mind, are practical and reasonable things to have in the car. Curling irons and coffee makers, while they are helpful in their own ways, are unnecessary distractions on the road.
We're beginning to see a similar trend with the USB, which is quickly becoming the cigarette lighter of the computer. (In fact, there's even a lighter socket mod that can be plugged into your computer.) There are hundreds of USB-compatible devices to choose from if you're in the market for new common peripherals (i.e. printers, scanners, digital cameras, keyboards, etc.), but you can also find a few impractical novelties that just need a USB connection.
A majority of the novelties are coming out of Japan, like most kitschy goodness. Whereas a device like the electric razor might come in handy when you've pulled an all-nighter and have a webcam meeting with clients in five minutes or an USB-powered electric blanket or beverage warmer makes sense for surfing the 'net during those hard wintery nights, there are some things that are downright silly. Take the George Foreman USB iGrill, for example. Anyone who has ever used the regular Foreman grill knows how impractical it would be to cook meat in a 5-foot vicinity of a computer. The heat, the paper goods, the fat juices trickling from the grill into the little plastic... fat juice tray-fire hazard, anyone?
Food preparation of any kind shouldn't be linked with computer usage anyhow. That's what fast food and snack packs are for. However, show me an USB-powered microwave and I'll bring the Hot Pockets.
Other novelties include a Blue-Glo Aquarium with "life-like tropical fish," a desktop fan, a noodle strainer, an electric toothbrush, and--of course--the obligatory USB-powered "massager". It is possible that some novelty items could find a place in everyday activities, but I think most of the devices are not intended for regular use. Instead, it seems that developers are looking to push the limits and explore how far they can take the USB. So far we've learned that the USB can, in theory, power a small electric grill. One day we may be able to plug full-sized lamps and mini-fridges into a USB hub.
Is it possible that we'll someday see the USB replace the automobile lighter socket?
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