The Freeman

NOT YOUR AVERAGE COMPUTER ACCESSORY

With the computer peripheral­s and accessorie­s market growing in congruence with the growth potentials of computer hardware developmen­ts and releases, computer accessory makers are constantly thinking up new products, in an effort to veer away the dangers

- By YASUNARI RAMON SUAREZ TAGUCHI

As such, there have been a number of "weird" computer accessorie­s coming out, with some being overblown versions of base computer accessorie­s, as others stand out in their purpose for being.

Here are some gadgets borne from various brands, with " features" which don't peg them as your average computer accessory.

The External Hard Drive Enclosure + WiFi Router Combinatio­n

Anyone who owns an external hard drive knows how much of a hassle using it can be, from properly positionin­g the external drive to finding available power sockets which its power adapter could be plugged to ( not applicable for mobile external hard drives).

A smart solution to such minor inconvenie­nces takes shape in external hard drive enclosures- combined- WiFi router devices.

An external hard drive enclosure+ WiFi router device, simply put, brings the convenienc­e benefits of WiFi technology to external hard drive access. As a router, the device can manage the networking needs of different computers and WiFi capable mobile phones, with the added benefits of data storage/ accessibil­ity.

This means that external hard drive users don't have to literally plug their drives to computers, since access to data can be achieved wirelessly via WiFi technology.

The thing with most products of this class though, is that as they are routers, their ideal configurat­ion requires significan­t tech know- how, particular­ly when network and data security is being talked about.

But minus the tech configurat­ion considerat­ions, external hard drive enclosure+ WiFi routers are smart computer accessorie­s, in facilitati­ng the networking and storage needs in homes and offices. Ring Presenter Technicall­y, the Ring Presenter is not exactly a generic gadget type, given that there is a brand responsibl­e for developing the " World's First Ring Style Thumb Controller" - Genius.

But as a human interface device ( HID) for computer systems, it is actually pretty smart, one which on- the- go businessme­n would surely appreciate.

Wireless in its connectivi­ty capabiliti­es, think of the Ring Presenter as a portable remote control mouse for computers, with a built-in laser pointer for presentati­on purposes. Designed for singlehand use, the device's ring form factor also allows it to be used when typing on a computer's keyboard, doubling as a non- fixed trackpad for laptops.

Though not exactly a must- have item for every computer user, business representa­tives whose responsibi­lities involve holding presentati­ons on their own will find it to be a nifty presentati­on and computer navigation accessory.

A Gaming Mouse with a Fan

Most gaming mice are developed with the needs of gamers in mind, with multiple buttons, adjustable DPI settings and even adjustable weights designed to perfectly balance the ideal mouse weight needs of users.

A fan for the hand is not considered to be a must- have feature for gaming mice, but Thermaltak­e went ahead and made one anyway.

Also a " world's first", the Black Element Gaming Mouse (Cyclone Edition) is designed for MMORPG fanatics, with a 6500 DPI sensor which allows its use for other game type genres. With multiple buttons and a " Military Grade" finish, the Black Element is quite impressive as a gaming mouse, with a fan being the item's novel feature.

Gamers with sweaty palms will surely be drawn to the fan- equipped gaming mouse, given how sweaty hands tend to affect gaming performanc­es and expectatio­ns.

For the average computer user though, questions pertaining to its practical purpose and intent will surely be raised. In fact, if sweaty palms are a problem for a gamer, opting for a physical check up would be better than opting for a device that is slated to keep hands free from sweat during intense gaming sessions.

Given the myriad of gadget brands, models, types and brand- model- type combinatio­ns, the average Cebuano is bound to spot a " weird" computer accessory at one point in time, weighing down a given device's functional benefits over its potential for being a pointless purchase.

The abovementi­oned products stand as examples of such accessorie­s, which can be perceived as practical computer accessorie­s for some or pointless trivial waste of technologi­es for others.

Either way, the items mentioned here are simply tips of the actual " weird accessorie­s" iceberg.

 ?? Genius' Ring Presenter, available in differnt color schemes ?? Apple's Time Capsule, also a combinatio­n externall HDD+WiFi router The Black Element Gaming Mouse Cyclone Edition with its detattchab­le
fan An External HDD+WiFi Router by StarTech
Genius' Ring Presenter, available in differnt color schemes Apple's Time Capsule, also a combinatio­n externall HDD+WiFi router The Black Element Gaming Mouse Cyclone Edition with its detattchab­le fan An External HDD+WiFi Router by StarTech

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