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<!-- Generated by XStandard version 1.7.1.0 on 2007-07-24T13:00:46 -->Want all the perks of having a fish tank on your desk but none of the hassle? Well, look no further, Brando has released a USB Aquarium, complete with two plastic, but colorful fish.
(view large image)Hardware Overview
- Plugs into your USB port for power
- No Batteries required
- Includes 4 feet of USB cable
- Contains swimming plastic fish
- Semi-interactive
- Compatible with Windows XP
Installation and Setup
This aquarium is much easier to deal with than a regular one. All that is needed is a glass of water and a couple drops of dishwashing soap. Then just pop in the software CD and plug in your new aquarium!
Aquarium Operation
It’s pretty simple. Once the software has been downloaded and the aquarium has been plugged into the USB port, the fish will start swimming in somewhat erratic circles. That’s about it.
The aquarium claims to be interactive and I guess it sort of lives up to that. There is a pop-up menu that has five fish icons that indicate the fish's need for playing, feeding, medical attention, turning the blue light on/off, and “refreshing” the fish after you kill them. Because they won’t just die of old age(like real fish), you have to try and kill them by overfeeding or underfeeding them or overmedicating them. When you succeed, game over, that is until you hit the refresh button (No toilets needed). The light button is kind of pointless since it's difficult to see in a lit office environment.
The most annoying thing about this aquarium is the noise. Every time the fish “want” something, the fan speed increases making a loud noise sort of similar to a diesel engine. So, as you can imagine, it’s not exactly charming when you are sharing space with co-workers.
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Bottom Line
The aquarium was cute and fun for the first 48 hrs. After that I just really wanted to get this review done so I could turn it off. The noise was really starting to bother me.
Purchase Information
You can purchase the USB Aquarium from Brando directly for $23.
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ThinkGeek has had a similar one for quite some time:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/6984/
Judging from the pictures, I find the one on ThinkGeek prettier - though it doesn't seem to have any 'interactive' features.
I still don't own one of those, but I was close to buying the one on ThinkGeek more than once -- together with the rocket launcher
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/warfare/8a0f/
and all those other incredibly useful USB utensils
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Looking forward to them
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:laugh: :laugh:
:laugh:
LOL LOL LOL -
who cares? the care bears care!
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What kind of food do you feed the fish?
That is a cute toy but I think it would be boring after a while. -
It'll hog a port, I mean, most come with like 3 USB ports nowadays...
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Wow those fish looked strange swimming around...What kind of medication were you giving them again.
Tim -
HAHA it's hilarious!
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Pretty cool, as I love seeing gimmick gadgets (although I have none of my own).
Where are the SuperPi and 3DMark scores on that puppy??
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There are quite a few really good virtual aquarium programs out there. I have one on my desktop that I will have to look up for everybody its much better than the usb attachment deal, and its free
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I think they would just need some power form the USB port as food
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hahaha
enjoyed the review
atleast now i know what to get that brat next door for is bday
..........atleast itll keep him occupied
USB Aquarium Review
Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by SarahM, Jul 24, 2007.
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