Our editors have compiled a list of the strangest (or coolest) gadgets for the office -- including USB Air Darts, the bacteria-killing LCD monitor, and more. Which ones are your favorites?
10. USB Aroma Therapy
Aroma therapy is one of the latest fads which makes this USB air freshner a must have. This gadget plugs right into your PC's USB port and can generate three different aromas. Now here's the cool part, you actually get to choose what scent you want using your computer.
[Source]
9. USB Air Darts
You'll have "hours of fun" annoying the person next to you with these USB air darts. It's powered through any USB port and compatible with PC/Mac systems. You control the aim and firing mechanisms using your mouse. Available now from MarkandSpencer for $33.80.
8. Programmable Soda Cans
Now you don't have to waste your change at the vending machines. Take a soda bottle, add customizable flavor buttons, and what do you get? Ipfini's "Programmable Liquid Container". Each bottle is filled with carbonated sugar water and feature additive buttons on its side (aroma, flavor, color), which allow for up to 32 combinations of soda on the fly.
"Providing choice at the point of consumption creates tremendous advantages for the consumers as well as the manufacturer," noted co-inventor Glenn Wachler.
PC Bank Korea introduces the PBM-978PS "Negative Ionization" LCD Monitor. It features a 5ms response time, 1200:1 contrast ratio, and a wide-viewing angle.
The well-being aspect of the monitor supplies the environment you are in with negative ions, killing bacteria and protecting your eyes from the monitor.
Here's something for a boring day at the office: a tie with an integrated pocket for your iPod Nano. Pink's Commuter Tie is made from 100% silk and features an extra fabric loop to hide those unsightly wires. It's available in navy/red/pink colors and priced at $85.
It’s the latest solution for today’s busy man who needs to carry more than one gadget at any one time
Camping out at the office? Then check out the Selk’Bag by Musuchouse -- can be used anywhere - at home, at work, during class, and just about everywhere in between.
[Source]
4. DIY AOL Disc Thrower
Make good use of those AOL discs laying around on your desk by building a high-speed LEGO disc thrower. It consists of "two main parts, the head that throws discs, and the tail which feeds the head with compact discs."
[Source ]
3. Head Spa Massager
Whip out the "Head Spa Massager" and feel the stress of getting laid off melt away. This device combines Japanese engineering with Italian design. It uses acupressure technology to stimulate blood circulation for a truly zen-like experience on the go. Powered by rechargeable battery, it can be used just about anywhere. Available now for $49.95 from GadgetUniverse.
"Alleviate stress, tension and help soothe that migraine with our Brain Spa Head Massager. It’s like having your very own Masseuse."
Have trouble staying awake at work? When the alarm goes off, the little "bowfly" takes off from its launch pad and starts flying around making noises until you catch it. I'll take two please...
[YankoDesign]
1. The Mental Typewriter
This brain-to-computer device converts your thoughts into cursor movements on screen. 128 electrodes are placed on your scalp and software than decodes EEG-like signals into usable information. Since this technology is still in its early stages, it takes 5 - 10 minutes to type out a simple sentence, with electrodes taking about an hour to apply.
[Source]
Honorable Mention - Desktop Bag
Ideal for easy transportation to and from the office. The "Desktop Bag" has a maximum carrying capacity of 77 lb., padded nylon shoulder belt, snap attachment system, and fits most mid/large desktop towers.
[Source]
My Journal entry that mentions this article.
I can imagine myself possibly using a few of those gadgets. I can also imagine my coworkers incessantly teasing me for using a few of them.
2
Posted at 05/30/2006 1:35pm by
Brian
That Desktop Bag would actually be handy for my son, who likes to drag his desktop off to his friend's house for LAN gaming parties every couple of months. Laptops just don't cut it in high-end gaming.
3
Posted at 05/30/2006 2:49pm by
reveries - extra texture » Blog Archive » Strange Office Gadgets
[...] A list of the strangest (or coolest) gadgets for the office — including USB Air Darts, the bacteria-killing LCD monitor, and more. (more) [...]
4
Posted at 05/30/2006 3:01pm by
martin Tibbitts
I could see the soda catching on...at least as a gimmick.
Martin Tibbitts
5
Posted at 05/30/2006 5:58pm by
Crashweb.net » Blog Archive » 10 Office Gadgets
[...] I want some of THESE. The flying alarm clock and the AOL disk thrower are my fav. [...]
6
Posted at 05/30/2006 10:02pm by
Jack
I want one because, I just want one.
7
Posted at 05/31/2006 03:41am by
dfhmmmmmmmmmmmm
OMG I WANT #9
8
Posted at 05/31/2006 04:23am by
Spookyblog » Blog Archive » links for 2006-05-31
These products are neato, but what I really want is a clone, so that I don't have to go into the office at all! Oh, and you should check my site at www.AdornedByAmber.com and buy lots of my tasty jewelry :)
10
Posted at 05/31/2006 09:53am by
Jimmy
Though some are cool, not all have anything to do with "office inventions." Like, the massager, or the alarm clock, or the soda, (which isn't in production I don't believe) or even the sleeping bag. Who would ever use any of those, except the soda, at work? Its a stretch to call this top ten office inventions, whoever authored this must think we are stupid.
11
Posted at 05/31/2006 6:08pm by
I am The Tomster Who Rocks
The Tomster Rocks...He is kewl...i like pie...i like 2 burn stuff...what do u like 2 do????????????ejrfghjkerhfgjkwghjkh???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????//!@%$RGRVWRTHY#$%T$%T#%Y$Y$FUCKVDWFGWFGWTGtwtgwrtgrthrthrtrtrtrtgtggglwgmgmnbvcxzqwertabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz soup
12
Posted at 05/31/2006 7:56pm by
bellainitalia
i so want no 2
13
Posted at 06/01/2006 05:13am by
Daniel
Lol, some of those are brilliant. Love to have that air dart launcher. *Pictures plugging into to school computer during lessons, and firing at all in the vicinity*
Lol, that alarm would be great too. Unless, of course, I forget to turn in off on weekends.....
Anyboady know where you can get this stuff?
14
Posted at 06/02/2006 3:40pm by
Brianna
i like the soda thingy. that would keep me busy for hours
15
Posted at 06/03/2006 05:12am by
T. Link
5-10 minutes for a simple sentence, I mean dont get me wrong, thats cool and all but put in on the list in a couple of years.
16
Posted at 06/03/2006 09:04am by
bluje
iw ant the flying alarm thingy
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Posted at 06/05/2006 00:36am by
jagster
i want the usb darts! NOW! and the alarm fing and sleepin bag! I WANT EM 2DAY! RIGHT NOW!
18
Posted at 06/05/2006 9:08pm by
Cookie Monster » Archivio Blog » Akali Metals + water
[...] O.M.G. This reminds me of the snitch from HP [...]
19
Posted at 06/07/2006 12:34pm by
huff
I can see the eeg to computer invention making a significant difference to this and future generations. We here at NASA are constantly searching for just such inventions. Can someone get me the name and email of the inventor?
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Posted at 06/09/2006 3:18pm by
Scooby Speak » For Play at Work
[...] can follow any comments added to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your ownsite. [...]
21
Posted at 06/09/2006 7:45pm by
TheIndex.Agregador » Blog Archive » Head Spa Massager: casco de masaje [especial resacas]
[...] Head Spa Massager [Gadget Universe vía TechEBlog] [...]
22
Posted at 06/09/2006 10:44pm by
steve presley
I seen your 10 top strangest office gadgets in my email today through Ourlighterside.com site. I must say there is some really cool things in there. like the mouse controled missiles. and the head massaging device. please sign me up for any newsletter you may have regarding these neat new items. I may be interested in the near future of buying some of these products. Thank you in advance for your help.
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Posted at 06/12/2006 7:53pm by
Top 10 gadget Top 10 lists - Fosfor Gadgets
[...] Here’s a runner-up list that I just had to give an honorable mention. Some of the stuff on this list is just too good to be true. Check out the Head spa massager as an example, hehe. [...]
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Posted at 06/14/2006 03:34am by
elSingular - Información gratuita de gadgets y tecnologías
[...] Los 10 gadgets de oficina más extraños : Mención honorífica: Bolsa para ordenador fijo [...]
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