Yes - I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a sucker for USB gadgets, devices, and toys. So you can imagine how giddy I was when I came across Dream Link’s booth at CES 2008. In fact, the very first thing I noticed was their new USB MSN Missile Launcher which was prominently on display there (and yes.. I did indeed run over to the booth like a little kid!). Here are pictures of the USB MSN Missile Launcher:

Oh.. and yes the missiles are actually taking aim at me now (you can see me in the webcam picture)

Things you need to know about this model. First, it has an integrated webcam. Yes that’s right - a webcam. Why do you need a webcam you might ask? To remotely target your victims using MSN Messenger of course! That’s right, you can use MSN Messenger to control the missile launcher and shoot the foam missiles at people. Yes.. imagine the havoc you’ll cause in the office!

Features include the following:

• Powered by USB - with 4 feet of cable
• 3 foam missiles and a target
• Twice the distance of the original model
• Moves left, right, up, and down
• Prerecorded sound effects
• Shoots up to 15 feet
• Compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Vista
• Measures 5.019in x 4.33in x 7.303in
• Weighs 0.36 kg

You’ll be able to get this product at places like ThinkGeek.com.

Next up, we have the USB Plasma Ball. Yes - it’s classic plasma ball that’s now powered directly by the USB port. There’s not much to say here except that I found myself staring at the ball for minutes on end.. “Must… stay … away.. from.. the … light”.

Now here’s a cool toy (I think?) - it’s the USB Roll Up Drum Kit. That’s right - get your own portable drum kit which you can simply roll up for storage. Features include:

• Create your own sets or choose from pre-selected tones
• Innovative interface allows all programming and sound to be activated by computer
• Rolls up to small size
• Powered by USB with 4 feet of cable
• Compatible with Windows XP/2000/Vista
• Comes with drum sticks, and software
• Measures 12.362in x 12.244in x 10in

Looking for a gift for that female friend of yours? How about giving her the USB Mr. Perfect?  I nearly fell over in laughter when I saw this (BTW, there’s also a Ms. Perfect for the guys out there too) actually. Connect Mr. Perfect to your PC and have him send you the “loveliest” messages all day long. You can even select the personality that Mr. Perfect will have - whether he’ll be nice or “cheeky”. (Cheeky will make the messages a tad bit “saucier”). Finally, you can customize Mr. Perfect with a picture of your Mr. Perfect. hahahah.

Mr. (and Ms.) Perfect is of course powered by the USB port and compatible with all current version of Windows.

You can see more of Dream Link’s products over at their website - the Dream Cheeky (http://www.dreamlink.info/index.php).

The Dream Info booth also had some folks from Solid Alliance on hand showing off various USB flash drives. Of particular interest were the following two USB flash drives. Each of these drives cost in excess of $1000 dollars (I think it was closer to $1500 but I could be wrong here). The designs are hand-crafted and utterly beautiful!

If you’re not quite willing to pay that much for a USB flash drive, perhaps you’d be interested in Solid Alliance’s Sushi USB memory sticks? Sushi fans will certainly love to own one of these!

You can check out more products (although in Japanese) at Solid Alliances’ website here.

Technorati Tags: Dream Link, USB MSN Missile Launcher, USB Plasma Ball, USB Roll Up Drum Kit, USB Mr. Perfect, USB Flash Drives, Solid Alliance, CES 2008