Storage

Desktop toys: USB Missile Launcher - this means war!

By // November 21, 2006, 6:00 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • The holiday season is approaching fast. In fact, it seems to approach faster every year. For those of you in the giving spirit around the office, it can be difficult to find that special gift for the person on the other side of the cubicle wall. It cannot be too expensive and it should reflect a certain amount of lightheartedness and fun. I mean, after all, gift giving in an office environment is really about generating smiles and feelings of goodwill with your co-workers.

    With that spirit in mind, TechRepublic has acquired several inexpensive yet tasteful and useful desktop toys for review. One of these fine gadgets or gizmos should appeal to even the most difficult to buy for in your office.

    Next on our gift list is the USB Missile Launcher courtesy of KlearGear.com.

    If you want to see the USB Missile Launcher in action, check out my blog post.

    © CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Even in the package, this desktop toy looks awesome.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Weapons of mass deflection --- fortunately the projectiles do not seem to be too dangerous.

    © CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • I love the action picture on the back of the box. Reminds me of Saturday morning cartoons with commercials for Hot Wheels and SST pull toys --- action toys for the action boy.

    © CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Not sure how many times my co-workers will allow me to shoot this thing at them. I'm sitting on the other side of the wall from Sonja Thompson so what do you think? Yeah, not too many I'm guessing.

    &copy CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • I like the size of the launcher --- it is large enough to be noticeable. It is a nice addition to a geek desk like mine.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Okay, just try to match my firepower now. First the second floor then the world --- muhahaha!

    © CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • But before conquering the world and all, I had to find the software. It was hidden in the bottom of the packaging.

    © CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Oh, and you have to load in three AA batteries too. World domination is hard --- it's hard work.

    © CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Instructions are included, but they are hardly necessary. Put the CD-ROM in the drive and load the software, put batteries in the launcher and turn it on, connect the launcher to a USB port on your PC, adjust the launcher for the proper firing angle, and then press the FIRE! button. The world is mine.

    © CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • This is a great desktop toy for the little boy in your office --- of course it could be like giving a drum to a 4-year old, so be prepared for open warfare and some annoying incoming projectiles. There is not really much to the software, but it does control the launcher and the all important missile launch. The missiles travel about 15 to 20 feet, so you can definitely reach your cubicle neighbors.

    © CNET Networks, Inc.
    Mark W. Kaelin

The holiday season is approaching fast. In fact, it seems to approach faster every year. For those of you in the giving spirit around the office, it can be difficult to find that special gift for the person on the other side of the cubicle wall. It cannot be too expensive and it should reflect a certain amount of lightheartedness and fun. I mean, after all, gift giving in an office environment is really about generating smiles and feelings of goodwill with your co-workers.

With that spirit in mind, TechRepublic has acquired several inexpensive yet tasteful and useful desktop toys for review. One of these fine gadgets or gizmos should appeal to even the most difficult to buy for in your office.

Next on our gift list is the USB Missile Launcher courtesy of KlearGear.com.

If you want to see the USB Missile Launcher in action, check out my blog post.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

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Storage Hardware Data Centers Networking Innovation Big Data Analytics Security

About Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.