The Post-It note was a great invention which many people still use today. Looking around the edges of my LCD I see several of them with tasks and information that I need to have at hand. They have served millions for years as self reminders. The problem with post-it notes is that they create a lot of clutter if not controlled. If I left my post it notes I could end up completely covering the edge of my screen with them. This is where the Electronic Post-It Note comes in to play. The home made device uses a computer track pad and a small LCD screen so you can electronically keep your post-it notes safe. When the task is complete you can then hit a button to erase the note clearing it for the next reminder you need to set. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery and requires some custom code to get it working. Luckily PopSci have done the hard work for you!
The project costs about $175 to build and is classed as a “hard” project to complete with it taking someone skilled about 7 hours.
The Belkin USB hub is one of those brilliant designs that you wonder why it hasn’t been thought of before. The USB hub is shaped to fit perfectly in to an office desk grommet hole which can be found towards each back corner of most desks. A lot of gadgets these days require a USB port and this gadget provides just what you need for easy access with out the hassle of another couple of cables getting in the way on your desk. A few different sizes are available to fix the correct type of desk, so before you order make sure you check out your desk.
The USB Hub comes with a small power supply which attaches under the desk along side the USB cable that connects the hub to your PC. By having it’s own power source, it allows the USB hub to power more demanding devices.
What if you do not have a grommet hole? The option here is to get a drill and make your own. Just be careful with a drill though!
You have to love these random product boxes such as the USB toaster. It would be funny to see someones face as they get a gift boxed in a completely random but convincing box.
The latest is the Visorganizer which promises to keep you organised. The Visorganizer clips on to your hat at the front and allows you to keep appointments in eyes reach at all times… well, so it says on the box
When your boss shouts demanding the clean desk policy be followed, you should whip this little vacuum out. It is a miniature fully working vacuum designed for your office desk. You simple hit the top of it and it sucks up crumbs from your keyboard, desk and where ever else your mess goes on your desk. Now I know that the “clean desk” policy is not related to crumbs on your keyboard, but using this little vac will certainly keep it clean in a physical sense even if you still haven’t completed the days tasks.
Product Features
* Requires 2 x “AA” Batteries * Push On/Off Button * Movable Arms * Air Circulation Vents * Crumb Compartment * Suction Opening * Instruction Manual * Recommended for ages 8 and up. * Dimension: D 3.75″ x H 3.60″ inches
The Desk Vac costs $18 at the moment via the link below.
The Magic Brain Calculator was a device used many years ago (mabye 1950’s) to solve maths problems. It requires you reset it to all zero’s to begin with and after a bit of practise you can solve many types of mathematical calculations. Clearing the device is just a matter of pulling the metal bar at the top of the machine and pushing it back in. Calculations of up to 8 digits can be performed such as addition, subtraction and multiplication. There are no details on if this device can divide although I am sure the brainy ones among you could work that out. The system works by using the stylus to drag the columns of numbers either up or down depending on the calculation you are performing. By doing this, and in the right order the numbers at the top will eventually give you the answer you need.
I am unable to find if the Magic Brain Calculator is still available although with a bit of hunting I bet you could track one down. It was built in Japan almost 60 years ago so good luck!
The Hawaii chair is a crazy “exercise” type chair which is supposedly able to give you a workout by just sitting down. I can just imagine the board of directors having a meeting hula’ing away while discussing million dollar contracts.
If getting away from your desk is next to impossible then you could choose the iwavecube which is a desk top microwave. It only measures 10″ x 10.5″ x 12″ which is a good size to fit right next to your monitor on your desk. It allows you to cook food with out leaving the comfort of your desk chair. It is not USB powered though as one might hope for. It just uses a regular power point on the wall. It runs efficiently and quietly too. It costs $130 which might seem a tad steep, but for those who prefer to be lazy then it’s the perfect option.
This tape measure has a digital display which can show you the actual measurement in digital format while using the regular type of measuring tape. A nice feature is it’s ability to store in memory the measurements so that you do not need to write them down right away. The digital display can show measurements in inches, feet or metric which can be easily switched between with the push of a button.
The tape is available from ThinkGeek and costs $24.99.
A safe can be a real pain when you want to open it up. The normal method is to use the combination lock with so many turns to the left and right, and then use a key after that. This latest safe uses biometric technology to keep your valuables safe. To open the safe you just swipe your finger across a sensor and it opens up for you.
It weighs 29 lbs (so it isn’t the most heavy of safes… ie, it could be picked up and run away with). But, it does provide fairly good protection to keep some things safe and out of the reach of others. The finger print safe costs $399.95 and is available from GadgetUniverse.
At 4″ deep from front to back, this Bookshelf Aquarium is an ideal space saver. With being just 4″ deep is still manages to provide 180 ” sq. of space for up to six fish. It can hold 2.4 gallons of water and has an air pump in there along with filtration and a heater.
With it being next to expensive books it is made of shatterproof to help prevent accidents. LED’s provide light for the aquarium. It weighs 20 lbs when filled with water and measures 13″ H x 17″ W x 4″ D and costs $149.95.
This mini backet ball hoop has the potential to be mounted on your office wall depending on what your manager thinks. Each hoop is attached to an 18″ wide by 12″ high Acrylic backboard. The rim is steel and measure 8.75″ across with a JustFlexTM mount (break away style rim). The small version costs $49.99 and comes with a 12″ all weather net and a 4.5″ inflatable mini basketball.
The mini pro 2 version is slightly bigger at 24″x16″ for the backboard with the same sized steel rim with JustFlexTM mount. The larger version costs $109.99.
This little flower is powered by USB and is named the USB Flower Fan. I am sure it will get most people talking “about” you in the office, so unless you are the flamboyant type it might be worth using just a regular fan when the weather gets warmer later this year.
Available from IWOOT for £9.95 (although surprisingly they are out of stock).
The ZIP drive from Iomega was cool back in the days when flash drives were not around and floppy drives were the other best option. What happens now that they are not needed, or broken? You hack away at it to make an Iomega ZIP Drive Desk Clock. This clock pictured above is made from a recycled ZIP 100 drive and uses the original circuit board, drive head and motor armature. It stands 5.5 inches tall and is 4 inches wide. To keep it standing the clock sits on an acrylic stand.
There is just 1 of these in stock and it costs $34.99. Go grab it quickly!
The Luna office Desk is designed and built for those who have cash to throw away. It costs a huge $12885 USD to purchase.
This contemporary office desk is ideal for designers and executives looking for smart space solutions. The Luna Desk comes along with modesty panel made of bent arched asymmetrical legs, obtained by a monolithic fusion, varnished aluminium, metallized silver finish and connected by means of steel elements.
The desk top is transparent tempered crystal thickness (15mm) sat on spacer plates made of stainless steel. The modesty panel is covered in red or black leather and the whole desk measures 94.5W x 47.2D x 28.3H.
What makes this Digital Voice Recorder “the best”? According to Hammacher, this digital voice recorder gives superior playback clarity at distance. Testing of this digital voice recorder was done at 20 feet away from a source and proved to have better sound clarity then any others that were tested along side. It achieves this with a variable control voice actuator which can set the correct volume level to record at.
record voices without obscuring Ps, Bs, and Ss up to 40′ away, 10′ more than the nearest tested model. The recorder is easy to set up for initial recording a nd its built-in 256MB memory allows it to record up to 66 1/2 hours in LP mode.
It connects to a PC via USB allowing you to transfer the audio easily. Powered by AA batteries it can record up to 32 hours before needing a recharge.
The Post-It note was a great invention which many people still use today. Looking around the edges of my LCD I see several of them with tasks and information that I need to have at hand. They have served millions for years as self reminders. The problem with post-it notes is that they create a lot of clutter if not controlled. If I left my post it notes I could end up completely covering the edge of my screen with them. This is where the Electronic Post-It Note comes in to play. The home made device uses a computer track pad and a small LCD screen so you can electronically keep your post-it notes safe. When the task is complete you can then hit a button to erase the note clearing it for the next reminder you need to set. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery and requires some custom code to get it working. Luckily PopSci have done the hard work for you!
The Belkin USB hub is one of those brilliant designs that you wonder why it hasn’t been thought of before. The USB hub is shaped to fit perfectly in to an office desk grommet hole which can be found towards each back corner of most desks. A lot of gadgets these days require a USB port and this gadget provides just what you need for easy access with out the hassle of another couple of cables getting in the way on your desk. A few different sizes are available to fix the correct type of desk, so before you order make sure you check out your desk.
You have to love these random product boxes such as the 
When your boss shouts demanding the clean desk policy be followed, you should whip this little vacuum out. It is a miniature fully working vacuum designed for your office desk. You simple hit the top of it and it sucks up crumbs from your keyboard, desk and where ever else your mess goes on your desk. Now I know that the “clean desk” policy is not related to crumbs on your keyboard, but using this little vac will certainly keep it clean in a physical sense even if you still haven’t completed the days tasks.
The Magic Brain Calculator was a device used many years ago (mabye 1950’s) to solve maths problems. It requires you reset it to all zero’s to begin with and after a bit of practise you can solve many types of mathematical calculations. Clearing the device is just a matter of pulling the metal bar at the top of the machine and pushing it back in. Calculations of up to 8 digits can be performed such as addition, subtraction and multiplication. There are no details on if this device can divide although I am sure the brainy ones among you could work that out. The system works by using the stylus to drag the columns of numbers either up or down depending on the calculation you are performing. By doing this, and in the right order the numbers at the top will eventually give you the answer you need.
