My first exposure to “exceptional” USB gadgets was on a cold winter night a few years back.  I was joking with my roommate about the wonderful possibility of heated slippers. 

A few Google searches later, we stumbled upon the coolest gadget ever - yup, you guessed it, a furry pair of heated slippers, all thanks to a USB connector.  For me, this was pure heaven.  I could surf the web and plug in my slippers to keep my toes warm all night long.

Now as summer rolls into our lovely country, I’ve shifted my focus to USB gadgets for working in warmer weather.  Once again, I am pleasantly surprised with the findings, from a high-tech grill to a mini-fridge to a flashy fan.

George Foreman iGrill

(Approx. US$150, Available on eBay)

George Foreman’s famous grill is now tech-friendly.  This delicious device has a built-in speaker with a USB port/dock so you can connect your iPod or other MP3 player.  Unlike most BBQs, the iGrill works inside or outside, so you are always steps away from a warm meal.

USB Mini Fridge

US$33.00

Now that you’ve taken care of dinner with a USB-inspired BBQ, it’s time for your drinks to get their chill on.  The USB mini fridge is the only answer.  This stylish device cools down one can of your favourite soda, no batteries required.  There’s also an internal LED light so you can see inside your fridge when you’re working late on a hot summer night.

Holywood USB Fan

US$9.00
This last gadget is the most important this summer for a happy home office.  The Holywood USB fan plugs into your USB port on your computer so you can beat the heat.  The blades are plastic, the neck adjusts, and there is one ON/OFF switch.  The best thing about this gadget is the cost, less than 10 dollars. 

I’m not one to tell people how to do their business, but with these three gadgets you can turn your home office into a mini backyard experience; and when the winter rolls around, order yourself a pair of USB heated slippers, and your productivity will soar.