Lighter + Thumb Drive = Wacky Gadget

Memlight is a $40 combination LIGHTER AND FLASH MEMORY DRIVE. It's wrong, I tell you. WRONG!

(props to Gizmodo)

Worst USB Gadget Yet: Mini-Greenhouse

Geeks.com is selling a USB-POWERED MINI-GREENHOUSE. The $20 kit comes with soil, seeds and the egg-shaped pod, which has a USB-powered height-adjustable growth light. Bundled software enables you to monitor and schedule events in your plant's life. The greenhouse comes with marigold flower seeds, but I'm sure some users will grow their own, um, "herbs" instead.

(props to Technabob)

Best USB Gadget Yet: Desktop RC Mini-Car

This tiny RC car from Japan's Solid Alliance comes with its own garage, which plugs into your PC via USB. When the car is inside, it charges. But when you want to take the car for a spin, you CONTROL IT WITH YOUR KEYBOARD. The garage doubles as a wireless transmitter. It even makes a revving engine sound. Here comes the VIDEO!

Worst USB Gadget Yet: Annoying Dancing Robot

Solid Alliance also puts on sale tomorrow its USB Dancing Robot. This hideous plastic object connects via USB, and spazes out every time your PC makes noise. When music plays, or you get new e-mail, or when there's a PC "event" with an associated sound, the dancing robot MAGNIFIES THE ANNOYANCE.

Worst USB Gadget Yet: Aromatherapy Puck

I told you July 30 about a USB-powered aromatherapy stick from USB Geek. Just put a drop of scented oil on the "X", and your entire cubicle smells like dead flowers. Now, the catalog is offering the same thing, only in a giant, unsightly PUCK-SHAPED piece of plastic that lights up in different colors. Somebody needs to end this.

Worst USB Gadget Yet: 'Rainbow Hub'

OK, now they're just f*cking with us. USB Geek is selling a $12 USB "Rainbow" Hub that's made from plastic colored squares lashed in such as way as to look like a TOXIC INFANT CRIB TOY from China.