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Gadget Lust: Flush-Mount USB Desk Hub

July 13th, 2009 @ 10:43 am

2 Comments

Categories: Gizmos and Gadgets

Tags: Hub, Hole, Digital Cameras, Digital Photography, Cable, Flash Memory, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Telecommunications, Rick Broida

If your desk was built within the last decade or so, it probably has at least one of those cable-management holes. Here’s a clever way to make it even more useful: the In-Desk USB 4 Port Hub.

Designed to fit 2-inch grommet holes, the hub connects to one of your PC’s USB ports to provide four easily accessible extras. But it also has clearance in the center so you can continue to route cables through the hole.

Alas, it’s not a powered hub, so you can’t use it with the handful of devices that require powered ports (such as portable hard drives). But for flash drives, digital cameras, iPhones, and the like, the hub should work just fine.

Surprisingly, this handy little gizmo is just $12 (plus a reasonable $3 for shipping). If my desk had a compatible hole, you can bet I’d order one of these in a flash. What about you?

Don’t forget to check out the other objects of our gadget lust, including my two favorites: the coffee cup power inverter and Verizon MiFi portable Wi-Fi hotspot. [via Lifehacker]

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    1

    rajesh_rs

    07/13/09 | Report as spam

    RE: Gadget Lust: Flush-Mount USB Desk Hub

    Cool device. I'd give anything for a solution that reduces the number of wires and clutter. For example, I have a USB based hard drive which has one USB wire which reduces clutter greatly and then there's a bigger one which has an AC adapter, with a separate USB cable for data transfer, which is cumbersome. Wish people would think of making life simpler for us end users before they build products.

  •  
    2

    BizHacksRick

    07/14/09 | Report as spam

    RE: Gadget Lust: Flush-Mount USB Desk Hub

    I agree -- cord clutter is the bane of my existence. It's too bad wireless USB never took off.

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  • Blogger Thumbnail Rick Broida A technology writer for more than 15 years, Rick Broida is a regular contributor to CNET, Popular Science, Wired and other publications. He's also the author of numerous books, including How to Do Everything with Your Zune. When he's not chained to his keyboard, he's usually shooting hoops or watching quality television. more »

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