Not a solution in search of a problem, but maybe a solution you (and others) don't need. You have SCP/SSH set up, 99.9% of the people don't.

Google also have such a thing, can't remember what they call it but there's a Firefox extension. So it's nothing new either.

The ONLY USB cables they had were of the "monster" style with massive braided sheilds, etc. and the LEAST expensive cable was $39 for a standard 6' cable!!!

I remember exactly the same thing when I was in New York. The identical Belkin cables that Best Buy sells for $35 cost 35 NIS (== around $10) here in Israel.