by Caleb Johnson on October 30, 2010 at 03:01 PM

If you're clumsy like us, you've probably bumped a USB drive loose from the computer at least once in your life. With luck, the files stored on it weren't damaged when this happened. But, rather than just hoping for good fortune, you'd be better off checking out the new USB hub from the consistently awesome designer, Quirky. Dubbed 'Contort,' the four-port hub and cord organizer sports a flexible ...
by Warren Riddle on October 27, 2010 at 09:00 AM

Scratch and Sniff stickers exploded in popularity during the glorious early '80s, but the trendy olfactory simulators rapidly faded into obscurity. For some reason, Japanese scientists apparently hope to revolutionize the forgotten, fragrant industry by incorporating scent production with modern technology. Keio University researchers reportedly worked in conjunction with Canon to hack -- and ...
by Warren Riddle on October 27, 2010 at 08:10 AM

It may not receive as much attention as Repetitive Stress Injury or other tech-related modern maladies, but Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) can be a painful, debilitating affliction. The symptoms -- which result from continuously staring at a monitor -- include blurred vision, light sensitivity, headaches and fatigue. While CVS is easily preventable, taking a screen-break while absorbed with work ...
by Terrence O'Brien on October 13, 2010 at 03:00 PM

LEGO bricks make everything better, including zoo animals and Star Wars, but the little colored bricks have been conspicuously absent from the world of gaming peripherals and accessories. That all changes this week when the LEGO-branded Wii remote goes on sale at Toys "R" Us for $40. The colorful Wii-mote is far from subtle, but there is a certain childish charm to its multi-hued, blocky design. ...
by Warren Riddle on October 9, 2010 at 01:01 PM

At a quarter of a century, Nintendo's illustrious history of entertaining, ridiculous and useless peripherals shouldn't need recounting. The arrival of motion-sensor technology for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 finally allows non-Nintendo gamers to share in that awesome and absurd add-on action, and various peripheral offerings are beginning to hit the market.
Atomic Accessories (which seems to be ...
by Matthew Zuras on October 2, 2010 at 11:00 AM

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Here's the first Moleskine iPad cover, for all of you snobby accessories fiends. (Joke! We love us some 'skines. They make writing on paper still seem important, somehow.) The iPad case, nay, "tablet cover" for "contemporary nomads," features a black leather exterior and a tan suede lining, as well as a blank notebook. Moleskine is also debuting a new iPhone case in the same style, but it's ...
by Matthew Zuras on October 1, 2010 at 01:40 PM

Considering how disgusting it is in New York today, we thought we'd share this horrible video of an iPhone being birthed by some kind of fleshy, umbilical... something. Artist Mio I-zawa has made a number of conspicuously David Cronenberg-esque devices, like a tumor that pulsates in accordance with your CPU usage. Gross. And kinda cool! And still gross. The nauseating video is after the break. ...
by Warren Riddle on September 23, 2010 at 10:54 AM

Three years ago, diabetes blogger Amy Tenderich implored Steve Jobs to promote the development of user-friendly iPod apps for diabetics. An iTunes query for "diabetes" now returns hundreds of related offerings for iPods, iPhones and iPads. But, according to Fast Company, cardiologist Dr. Leslie Saxon believes a "revolutionary product" from Sanofi-Aventis could soon provide unprecedented and ...
by Warren Riddle on July 27, 2010 at 07:25 AM

Nintendo, of course, pioneered light gun gaming with the epochal 'Duck Hunt' and the somewhat forgettable Super Scope. In the '90s, though, Sony adapted the addictive 'Time Crisis' arcade series for the PlayStation, giving birth to a new generation of light guns and gaming.
That franchise and its Guncon armament remain with the PlayStation 3, but the advent of Move technology has quickly ...
by Terrence O'Brien on July 16, 2010 at 08:20 AM

If you're not particularly observant and are more than a tad stubborn, we can easily see the following scenario playing out: trying to plug your iPod, camera or flash drive into your computer's USB port, while the plug is upside-down. Rather than check why the cable isn't simply sliding into the port, you force it harder and harder until eventually the port, the plug or both are broken. You might ...
by Ben Deitz on July 11, 2010 at 01:00 PM

For those who miss (and can still remember) the quaint thrill of receiving honest-to-goodness snail mail in their mailbox, manufacturer Brando, known for what may be the world's smallest mouse, has made the USB Mailbox Friends Alert. The miniaturized plastic mailbox connects via USB to a user's computer, syncing via software to a variety of common e-mail programs (Yahoo, Gmail, Outlook and POP3 ...
by Terrence O'Brien on July 4, 2010 at 11:00 AM

digg_url ='http://www.switched.com/2010/07/04/any-usb-peripheral-is-now-a-potential-threat/';
A group of Canadian hackers have identified and learned to exploit a flaw that allows them to turn any USB peripheral into a sort of hardware trojan horse. Plug-and-play USB devices follow a consistent rule, the device identifies itself to the PC. The computer, by rule, will believe that a UB device ...
by Warren Riddle on June 22, 2010 at 07:20 AM

Some time ago, Sony colorfully burst onto the console peripheral scene with its geeky, indispensable sci-fi raygun, but envious Wii and Xbox 360 owners will soon gain access to their own fantasy accoutrement. Performance Designed Products aims to enliven legions of sci-fi deprived gamers with vibrant 'Tron Legacy' controllers for all three major systems. The sleek controllers apparently adhere to ...
by Warren Riddle on June 16, 2010 at 06:30 PM

It's nearly impossible to exaggerate the supreme and unequivocal command that Nintendo holds over the ridiculous, abysmal and periodically awesome add-on market. The company's dominance began decades ago with 'Duck Hunt,' the Power Glove and the Roll & Rocker, and the Wii's motion controllers have only bolstered Nintendo's preeminent peripheral standing.
Now that both Sony and Microsoft ...
by Caleb Johnson on June 12, 2010 at 09:00 AM

Back in May, we reported on rumors that 'Rock Band 3' might include a keytar peripheral and a mysterious new "Pro Mode." Today's official announcement clarified details on the next generation of everyone's favorite party game, arriving later this year. Pro gamers willing to shell out $150 can get a Mad Catz Fender Mustang peripheral loaded up with 102 buttons, 17 frets and six pluckable nylon ...