Japan gets fug-fading USB ashtray | Reg Hardware

The Universal Serial Bus has come to the rescue of smokers who want to partake of a crafty ciggie but ensure the boss doesn't get a whiff that office regulations are being so flagrantly transgressed. Yes, it's the USB ashtray, disguises when closed as a car.

Opening the gizmo triggers a fan which, the product's Japanese supplier claims, sucks the smoke through an absorbing filter. Of course, any fumes you breathe out are your own affair, but you can always direct the flow toward the ashtray's fan...

The gadget's USB powered, but it'll also run off a pair of AAA batteries for when you're out and about, at your mother's, or whatever.

Each ashtray costs around ¥500 (.30/£2.20/€3.25). More details from supplier Greenhouse . ®

A free software download from Google.

Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. Picasa also makes advanced editing simple by putting one-click fixes and powerful effects at your fingertips.