The Cambrionix 49-Port Mother-of-All-Hubs USB Hub

49 is definitely not a number expressing some sort of limit, at least not for the designers at Cambrionix. And even for them, we'd rather say that 49 is just a representation of a temporary, soon-to-be-gone stage. If you can't figure out something that important for the number 49, prepare to meet the mother-of-all-hubs, the 49-port USB hub from Cambrionix. We know that you're smiling in amazement (it's perfectly OK, we did so too) and we've already begun to count all the USB devices in our offices to see whether this mega-hub can face them.

 

Nevertheless we're not decided yet if it is a joke or somebody has really thought that such a contraption could ever come in handy. Either way we totally dig it and think it looks absolutely amazing.

 

Now, there might be one problem, though: finding the necessary space to accommodate such a giant USB hub on a desk. In fact we could not find enough room on any of our desks so that the 49-port hub could be set on display and be usable at the same time. So far we've come up with some design ideas that could increase the usability of the Cambrionix giant USB hub: the first is a specially-designed neat plastic enclosure with keyholes for attaching to a wall, in a vertical position. Or some other method for securely attaching it to a locker in the vicinity of a desk.

 

The second use for this 49-port hub is a more “commercial” one: some guy could sacrifice some place on his desk and have it installed and powered up and then ask for a small fee (not necessarily money – pens or coffee could work as well) to host and recharge any USB portables people might carry with them: phones and PDAs, portable gaming consoles, MP3 players and iPods, cameras and so many more! Of course, decent rates for such a service and the consent of the office manager are advisable in case you plan to take a shot at glory following this idea.

 

More suitable for lab-testing of multiple USB devices connected simultaneously, the 49-port hub from Cambrionix retails for a whopping price of around $655, instantaneously placing it outside the range of funny and affordable office gadgets/toys. Finally, if you plan to create a USB-based telephony network, this 49-port hub could easily become your first switchboard. Though we have strong doubts you'll ever make it big this way. Now, back to work and our mortal 4-port hubs (sigh). Specs here(PDF).


 

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