Discussions

USB toys seem so whimsical at first. You can throw some dogs on the George Foreman USB iGrill, ice a tasty beverage in your USB drink chiller, crank some tunes from your mixed-tape memory USB key -- but you're still the guy barbecuing in his cubicle.

If you want some USB tools that you'll actually use, here's my list of the top five most practical USB gadgets.

1. StealthSwitch $25



A foot switch that hides your current window when you hear someone approaching your cube.

2. USB Battery Charger $20



I have a Flip video camera that takes AA batteries, so this tiny charger is a must when I'm traveling.

3. USB Solar Charger and Hub $22



A pocket-sized device that not only gives you more USB ports, it works as a portable charger for your cell phone, as an On/Off switch for killing power without unplugging, and has a solar component so you can feel smug about saving the Earth.

4. OYO Multiplug USB By Theo Williams $17



More USB ports means more gadgets.

5. Ion U-Record USB Music Converter $70



Connect any music source—a turntable, tape deck, or whatnot —to your computer and digitize your music.

So those are my picks. Do you have any genuinely useful USB toys? Share your wisdom in comments.