Back to Hong Kong for two further USB items, the first a Skype (or other VOIP handset) that is shaped just like an old BT handset. The second a USB stick that is made from a set of three dice, either would make ideal presents.
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USB Retro Headset
Yes its USB, yes it’s Retro but a headset no, it’s a handset. It’s exactly like a BT phone of maybe forty years ago just the bit you hold when having a conversation.
It is 21cm long a maximum of 6cm across at ear and moth ends and 5cm deep. It weights 225grams with the 1.9metre hard wired USB lead attached.
It has what looks like two push buttons around 3cm below the ear end on the inside. It is in fact one button to answer call and an LED. The only other control is a volume up or down rocker on the right edge of the handset.
While it is sold as a VOIP unit I only tested it with Skype and here it works fine cutting out whatever speakers you use when the handset is plugged into a USB port.
You of course need Skype open on your PC and you select who to call from your list or if making a non Skype to Skype call dial the number from the keypad in the Skype window. Either way you hear a tone while you are waiting to be connected.
In the case of a received call the handset will ‘ring’ but if poked out of the way you may not always hear it so a ‘always on top’ message shows on the screen saying that whomever is calling and the choice of answering or rejecting.
This might be of use for anyone hard or hearing as I found I was constantly turning down the volume level whereas with a standard phone I often wish I could turn the volume level up. Unlike a headset where people seem to think they can be heard with the microphone part somewhere between the neck and forehead anyone using a handset has to place the ear on the ear so the mouthpiece is near the mouth to give the receiver a good call.
At $19 US this may be considered a gimmick but for anyone who receives a lot of Skype type calls this works well and gives good sound quality with masses of volume. Retro it is but then again few people used to complain that the person on the other end mumbled or was indistinct and that is down to headsets and not handsets.
click image to enlargeAvailable from the link below for $19 US plus $3 US p&p whatever the size of your order.
http://usb.brando.com/usb-retro-headset_p01776c035d15.html
USB Wooden Dice Flash Drive
This arrived in a tin padded with foam, ironic as for its working life it will have no protection and will probably sit in a pocket or purse along with change and be buffeted about.
Yes this is a set of three wooden dice 6x2x2cm. One dice pulls off (the cap) and the other two form the flash drive.
There are available in 2GB, 4GB or 8GB sizes. My 2GB one showed available size of 1.92GB where as most flash drives show only 1.86GB.
Off white in colour looking like bone but they are wood with black spots, the corners are chamfered to avoid sharp edges.
So yes these are a gimmick but one that people are likely to carry around and flash memory is useful to have. It is available at $16, $19 or $31 US according to size all orders have a $3 p&p charge.
http://usb.brando.com/usb-wooden-dices-flash-drive_p01719c041d15.html
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