MEGATech Showcase: Even More Flash Drives Beth Snyder January 24, 2012 Features I have this folder in my bookmarks menu where I dump the links to various flash drives when I run across them while roaming about the internet. Usually I don’t open it until it’s been a while, because it’s not like the flash drive posts are mission critical. The reason I’m telling you all this is because I opened that folder this evening and my jaw dropped. I hadn’t realized how very, very many I’d found since the last post. So… another bunch of flash drive silliness is here! First up we have Loopo, which is a concept piece that is pretty much brilliant. It appears to come in 4GB or 8GB, and as flash drives go it’s not all the exciting looking. But look closer. See the clip on it? Like the ones on jewelry? You can clip this thing just about anywhere in a second, without having to worry about losing it. Plus, it can become jewelry. I like it. Unfortunately, there is no word on when or if it will actually be available, nor any guesses as to pricing. Source: Technabob Next is one after my own heart, because it’s shaped like a wrench. When I’m at work, I always have a wrench and a knife in my pocket. Always. Which means I’m probably going to order one of these, especially since they’re only $18.95 US. It comes in 8GB only and is made of hard metal (but probably you’re not advised to actually use it as a wrench). It measures 3.375″ x 1.0625″ x 0.5″ / 8.5 x 2.7 x .7cm. Source: 7 Gadgets Hello Kitty. I don’t get it, but there is this incredible obsession with this obnoxious little cat that cannot be ignored. So why not indulge yourself with a crystal-decorated HK flash drive? It comes in 8GB and sells for $25.99 US. It’s even got a nice loop on top so you could use it as jewelry (because really, if you’re going to go so far as to have a crystal Hello Kitty flash drive, you might as well flaunt it). Source: 7 Gadgets The next entry into the “I’m really sick of losing my flash drive” market is the Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go. It is designed to be perfectly suited to hanging on your keychain, and has a flexible cover that peels back to provide access to the USB drive. It comes in a variety of colours, and is available from 4GB through 32GB. Pricing starts at $19.99 US. Source: YourTechReport The only word for this one is “disturbing”. I almost didn’t include it, because it really creeps me out. But I figured there’d be someone who would like it, so I overcame my aversion and here it is. The Mimobot HotChaChaCha by Gary Baseman comes in 16GB and will cost you $49.95 US. Which is pretty outrageous, but whatever. It also comes in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB, but I don’t see how much the smaller capacities cost. Oh, and by the way…it glows in the dark. Source: 7 Gadgets It’s Angry Birds! Over the last few months I’ve managed to get a handle on my obsession with those feathery critters, but I still play at least a couple of times a week. The only problem I see with these is the potential for cubicle warfare at the office. You can’t tell me you aren’t already figuring out how to make a launcher out of your stapler and some rubber bands…I am. They only come in 4GB, and will run you right around $26.00 US. Each one is made of silicon rubber and comes with a cord and hook. Source: Technabob Lexar enters the USB 3.0 market in a big way. I can’t get over how quickly it caught my eye, based purely on how pretty it looks. Yeah, I’m weird. Anyway, the specs are even more impressive. It’s 32GB, and provides up to 155MB/s read and 150MB/s write. I want one. I want it now. Unfortunately for me, I’m in a slow time of year for work, and it costs $109.99 US. Not that it’s an unreasonable price, I just can’t make it work at the moment. But my birthday is soon. Source: 7 Gadgets Here’s another one from Lexar, specifically designed for backups. Not that you can’t use pretty much any flash drive to backup your system (providing, of course, it has enough capacity), but this one is meant for it. Which means all you have to do is plug it in, and it automatically starts backing up your stuff. It measures just 2.6 x 0.9 x 0.4 inches, and comes with Lexar Echo backup software. You can get it from 8GB to 128GB, and it is compatible with both PC and Mac. Price for the 128GB version is $149.99 US. Source: 7 Gadgets Here’s another one for the girls. Who wouldn’t want a Swarovski crystal heart USB necklace? It’s pretty, it’s functional…perfect! The heart-shaped USB drive features 54 Indian Siam crystals, and comes in red, black, pink, lavender, and light blue. Each one measures 1 1/2″ x 1 3/16″ and has a 4GB capacity. Each one will run you $75.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets Sometimes you’ve got files on your flash drive you’d rather not just anyone can get to. I won’t question why that might be, I’ll just accept that it happens. It’s probably for work, right? The Apricorn Aegis 16 GB USB 2.0 Military Grade is the answer to your concerns. It encrypts 100% of your data in real-time with military grade full disk AES CBC (Cipher-Block Chained) hardware encryption, and does not require any additional software be installed on your computer (it is compatible with PC, Mac and Linux). Your data is secured by PIN activated 7-15 digits, and the case is extruded aluminum which resists tampering and is waterproof. Want one? It’s going to cost you $125.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets Victorinox does it again, and brilliantly. This SSD flash drive will be available up to 1 terabyte. Seriously. It is USB2.0/3.0 and eSATA compatible, and its monochromatic LCD display not only tells you how much capacity you have left, but can be customized with your own message. It will come in two styles: one with the full complement of tools you’ve come to expect from the makers of the Swiss Army knife, and one that just protects the drive (making it TSA-friendly). It’s not going to be cheap. Not even a little. We’re talking multiple thousands of dollars. But…a one terabyte SSD USB flash drive is quite simply worth it. Source: Gizmodo Sometimes simplicity is best. This aluminum and black swivel flash drive is just that: simple. It offers you 64GB capacity, and costs only $42.95 US. Which makes me a little concerned, since many other drives with smaller capacity cost more. I have to wonder why that is. Source: 7 Gadgets Next, 7 Gadgets has put together a post after my own heart. Appropriately enough, they’ve gathered a collection of seven different flash drives. I’ll just post the pictures with their capacity and price. Capacity: 8 GB, Price: $19.99 US Capacity: 16 GB, Price: $37.99 US Capacity: 16 GB, Price: $44.99 US Capacity: 16 GB, Price: $39.99 US Capacity: 8 GB, Price: $19.99 US Capacity: 8 GB, Price: $19.99 US (I really, really like this one, by the way.) Capacity: 8GB, Price: $19.99 US Last, we have a USB hub modeled after the goddess Aphrodite. Which only makes sense for a hub, right? I mean, what device wouldn’t want to hook up with the goddess of love and pleasure? OK, maybe that’s a little sick and wrong, but you’ll have that sometimes. The bust is made of ceramic with a slip-resistant base, and measures 3.5″ x 4.25″ x 7.75″. It should be noted that this hub is bus-powered, so it might not charge all of your devices if that’s what you wanted to use it for. She costs $46.00 US. Source: Technabob Share This With The World!
