The Buzz

Desk jockeys cannot have too many USB ports or too much caffeine.

Enter the USB Cup Warmer from online outpost Brando. Simply connect the $24 compact device to a USB plug and you have a hot plate, a clock, and a four-port hub. This second-gen (!) version includes a handy cup, although java aficionados might not care for sipping their brew from stainless steel that's not a travel mug. An LCD display includes the temperature of the heating device, as well as the time. On Brando's site, you can also pick up a wireless missile launcher and something called a “Moody Ball,” both USB, of course. Usb.brando.com.hk.

Although we reviewed the open-source desktop Zonbu just last month, it's worth mentioning the company's first foray into the laptop market. Manufactured by Everex, the Zonbu Notebook sports a Linux OS and a VIA 1.5GHz C7-M processor. With a 15.4" WXGA widescreen display, the notebook starts from $279 with a two-year subscription contract at $14.95 per month. A green device, the notebook runs on a mere 15 watts of power. For more information, visit www.zonbu.com/device/notebook.htm.

Skype is ideal for chatting with authors and experts right from your computer (see “See Me, Hear Me." Canadian publisher Annick Press is all over the concept, teaming with the Web telephony service to provide a unique program geared for middle school students. Dubbed “LIVEbrary,” the two-year program will bring together authors, students, and teachers to discuss curriculum-related books, all via Skype. Annickpress.blogspot.com.

The venerable New York Public Library (NYPL) is getting all 2.0 on us. The institution, which serves 16 million physical patrons annually, is offering a vast trove of digital images that people can incorporate in videos and slideshows. Through a partnership with collaborative media site Kaltura, 600,000 items from NYPL's digital collection will be available for remixing. The images range from Civil War photos and illuminated medieval manuscripts to historic views of old Manhattan and Yiddish theater placards. When creating a video or slideshow in Kaltura, groups of users can upload their own footage, photos, and audio, as well as elements from MySpace, Creative Commons sources, and now, NYPL. To try it, go to www.kaltura.com.

Being able to snag a picture with your cell phone is great. But then what do you do with those shots? Belkin has teamed with Kodak to create a Bluetooth adapter that makes it less of a bear to transport your cell photos to your computer for printing, saving, or sharing. Simply walk within Bluetooth range of your PC or Bluetooth PDA and the device will transfer full-resolution images automatically. The Belkin Bluetooth USB Adapter with Kodak Picture Upload Technology (really, that's the name) is available for $50 from the kodak.com online store.

Better watch your back, Apple, at least where the Shuffle is concerned. A viable competitor to Apple's littlest iPod has emerged, this time from Creative. The Singapore-based company has announced a 4 GB version of its Zen Stone Plus audio player. That means a capacity of 1,000 songs—four times the storage of the 1 GB Shuffle for only 10 bucks more. Like its 2 GB predecessor, the player features a display, FM radio, voice recorder, and clock. However, the 8 GB version supports the AAC format, so users can load tracks from iTunes Plus, as well as MP3 and WMA files. While it only comes in basic black (that's the 2 GB version, pretty in pink, at left), can the Zen Stone take on the mighty iPod? We think it can. $90. us.creative.com.

Owners of the Zune, Microsoft's digital music player, now have the option of pimping their device with laser-engraved artwork or their own text. Zune Originals, the new Web outpost that offers these services, now offers customization of the 80 GB Zune, in addition to the 4 and 8 GB models. At Zune Originals, users can choose from 27 unique designs created by 18 internationally recognized artists and 20 “Tattoo” graphics. Or choose instead to engrave up to five lines of text. The second-gen Zune has won praise for its revamped software, wireless syncing, and Zune Social feature. www.zuneoriginals.net.

YouTube has made watching dinky, pixilated video, well, OK. For those who desire more, check out SmugMug. The online photo site now lets you share videos in HiDef. Oh yeah, that's a resolution of 1280 x 720 compared to YouTube's 320 x 240. HD capability is available to pro account holders, who pay $149 per year. DVD-res clips are also supported. www.smugmug.com.

Definr—the latest online alternative to Webster's—bills itself as an “incredibly fast dictionary,” and they aren't kidding. It takes, on average, just 14 milliseconds to call up your definition. The free tool is based on WordNet 2.0, a lexical database created by the Cognitive Science laboratory at Princeton University. Based on the open-source framework Ruby on Rails, Definr has a clean, Google-like interface. Firefox users can add a Definr search extension and a bookmarklet for even speedier access. www.definr.com.

Ever wonder what happens to all those plastic bottles that we conscientiously toss into the recycling bin? Well some of them find new life as a cool laptop bag. Shoreline has premiered its new eco-conscious act2-GreenSmart line of protective jackets and sleeves for laptops, all made from 100 percent recycled beverage bottles. GreenSmart is launching with seven sizes of Shoreline's Always On design in storm blue (below), toasted almond and jet black for $39.99. One bag or case, according to the GreenSmart site, saves 11 16-oz. bottles from becoming landfill and 7598 BTUs, enough to power a laptop for 89 hours. www.act2greensmart.com.