MEGATech Showcase: Fantastic Flash Drives Beth Snyder August 5, 2013 Features Looks like it’s time once again for a collection of the wild and wacky flash drives I’ve run across in my travels around the internet. It amazes me the endless varieties available, although it is kind of disappointing that so few of them offer USB 3.0. But…the novelty factor cannot be denied, and I will always have a weakness for them even if they are only USB 2.0. Take, for instance, this first set. Minions! I love the minions, I can’t deny it. These come in a three-pack, because you can’t have just one. Dave, Kevin and Stuart each house 16GB of data, and are made of flexible silicone. To access the flash drive portion, just pop off their little heads. OK, so maybe that doesn’t make me so happy. The three-pack costs $52.00 US, although they are available individually for between $14.99 and $19.99. You know, in case you want to ruin the fun and have just one minion. Source: 7 Gadgets Next up is Leef Bridge. While nothing special to look at (although it is pretty sleek and professional if you’re into that kind of thing), what sets this one apart from the rest is the addition of a microUSB connector. It still has a standard USB connector, but this one can be attached to your phone or whatever device you have that takes microUSB. Which means much greater ease when transferring files to or from your phone. The case slides either direction, so the end you’re not using always remains protected, and covers both ends when its not in use. Leef Bridge is currently available in 16GB and 32GB capacities, retailing for $17.99 and $28.99 US, and there are plans for a 64GB version coming soon. Source: Ubergizmo If you’re the type of person who doesn’t necessarily take care with your stuff, then perhaps the Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth drive is for you. This is a distinctive military style, and is made of hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, waterproof to 200 meters with an EPDM water seal, and both shockproof and drop tested with a molded shock-dampening collar. And guess what? This one actually is USB 3.0. For 128GB of storage, you’re going to have to pay about $130.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets They’re advertising this as a great and wonderful thing…Ultra-compact, 32GB or 64GB, aluminum body, and USB 3.0. Me, I look at it and think…yeah. I’m gonna lose that in about two days. Because they’re about the same size as the receiver for my wireless mouse, and the only reason I don’t lose that is I never take it out of my laptop. But hey…you could also keep this plugged in, just pay attention when you move it to another machine. It’s also supposed to be waterproof, so that’s kinda cool. The 32GB version costs $49.99 US. Source: TechFresh There’s something about flash drives that look like food that makes me need to own them. This strawberry, if the pictures can be believed, is incredibly realistic. If you’ve got sensitive files, what better place to keep it than in your fruit bowl, out in plain sight? Just make sure no one accidentally bites into it or they’ll get a rather unpleasant surprise. 16GB of storage runs about $33.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets Speaking of places to hide your flash drive in plain sight…how about a chess piece? I realize we don’t all have a mansion with a chessboard constantly ready to play, but you could stick it in the box and no one would be the wiser. The housing measures approximately 32 x 32 x 88mm, and it’s available from 2GB through 32GB. Pricing ranges from $16.00 to $38.00 US. Source: Technabob This is supposed to look like a lipstick, and I guess it kind of does if you squint just right. To me, it looks more like an adult toy, albeit a very small one. My mind pretty much lives in the gutter, though. Anyway, this particular drive comes in 4GB only, and runs $39.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets Again with the teeny tiny drives! This one is USB 3.0, and offers an impressive read time of 72MB/s. The casing is fully enclosed in aluminium with a lanyard hole at the end, which means it’s water resistant and durable. It measures just 4.6 x 12.3 x 33mm (see? I’d lose it), and will be available up to 64GB. Pricing is not yet available, but I bet it’ll be a bit spendy. Source: Everything USB Is it just me, or is this ridiculously cute? This little ambulance measures 1.5 x 0.8 x 1.2 inches, and is also available in a police car design. You know how you’ve always heard you should back up your files in case of emergency? Now your emergency backup can be contained in an 8GB emergency vehicle. Things like that make me smile. Each one costs $32.95 US. Source: 7 Gadgets I am Batman! Not in the current, dark, edgy style, but in the style of the original TV series. A kinder, gentler Batman, as it were. He measures 0.7 x 1 x 2.6 inches, and holds 8GB of data. Add him to your collection for $38.99 US. Source: Geek Alerts One more for the “I’m gonna lose that so fast your head will spin” files…except this one is pretty enough maybe I’d manage to keep hold of it. It’s not just a pretty face, though…it’s also hardware-encrypted, and has computer lock software. GoldKeys have membership in the “everyone” user group so that you can access GoldKeyVault storage, which is a cloud-based storage system. Neat, huh? Also not cheap. 64GB of data is $150.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets One more for the tiny flash drive club. These are enclosed in a metallic case, and are USB 3.0. Capacities range from 8GB to 32GB, and feature a strap hole so you can attach it to something considerably larger in an effort to prevent misplacing it. They offer a maximum transfer rate of 60MB/s (8GB Model) and 80MB/s (16GB & 32GB Models). Pricing, however, has not yet been announced. Source: TechFresh For our final entry, we combine fun and functional. This is the Jumpshot USB drive, and it is a must-have if you’ve got friends or relatives who need to you fix their computers on a regular basis due to ID10T errors. Plug it into any Windows computer, regardless of whether it’s infected with a virus, and the program launches. It then removes viruses, malware, and all the other assorted flotsam and jetsam that your well-meaning but inept family member has managed to download. For $29.99, you can get one for everyone on your Christmas list, and hopefully those annoying “come save me” calls will end. Source: 7 Gadgets Share This With The World!
