Stress balls are a great way to relieve tension and help combat repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. They’re also an easy answer for office workers looking for a gift when social convention states you need to get a little something for someone you work with, but don’t really know that well. Since no gift is complete nowadays unless it comes with a USB cable dangling from it, this tech-take on the stress ball could be the answer. The USB Stress Ball not only provides some physical stress relief, but some virtual stress relief as well.
Like any stock standard stress ball this USB equipped version can be squeezed and twisted to your heart’s content, but unlike its less technological cousins, it also translates the physical punishment being inflicted upon it to the images on your computer screen. Received an annoying email from Byron in accounting? Grab the USB Stress Ball and feel that frustration dissipate as said email is pulverized. Sure, the annoying email will still be there when you release the stress ball, but you’ll be in a much better state of mind to deal with it, and you’ll have managed to avoid putting your fist through the screen.
Available from ThinkGeek, the USB Stress Ball apparently “increases productivity and reduces office mortality rates.” Not bad for something that costs US$19.99. It is powered by USB and comes with four feet of cable.
Via Ubergizmo.