Anker is at it again with the fun colors and the limited editions. The company has widened availability of its Nano 10-in-1 USB-C Hub, Smart Display Hub, Valorant Limited Edition to more markets, which means more of us can now argue with ourselves over whether we actually need it.

If you're wondering what on earth a Valorant is doing on a charger, it's a popular competitive shooter game, and Anker teamed up with its maker Riot Games for this special design. My granddaughter Jess had to explain the whole esports thing to me a while back. I still don't fully get watching other people play video games, but then again my mother never understood why I needed a second phone line for my dial-up modem, so I try to keep an open mind.

The hub itself is genuinely useful, which is the part I care about. Ten ports in one desktop device: USB-C power delivery, USB-A, HDMI, ethernet, the works. There's a little smart display on the front showing charging status and power output, so you can actually see what's drawing power instead of guessing. That's a small, thoughtful touch and I appreciate it. Too many hubs are just black boxes that beep at you mysteriously.

I remember when a "hub" meant a clunky USB splitter the size of a sandwich that, if the stars aligned, powered two devices at once without dropping one. Now we've got ten ports and a screen in a desktop footprint... and the display showing real-time wattage used to be something you'd only find on lab equipment. Regular people can monitor their charging at a glance now. Progress really does sneak up on you.

The limited edition styling is, of course, the hook. The Valorant version carries the game's branding and color scheme, and limited editions being limited editions, if you want one you probably shouldn't dawdle. Anker's special editions have a habit of selling out and then showing up on resale sites at prices that make me sigh loudly.

Is it for everyone? No, and I'll always tell you that straight. If you already have a working hub and no sentimental attachment to the game, save your money. But if you're a Valorant fan who also needs a proper desktop charging station, this is one of the rare pieces of gear that does a real job while being a little fun too, and that combination doesn't come around often.

I haven't gotten my hands on one yet, so treat this as an announcement rather than a verdict. If I do pick one up, you'll hear from me. And as always, your technology should work for you, whether it comes in basic black or video-game flair.