MEGATech Showcase: Flash Drives Make Another Appearance Beth Snyder February 27, 2013 Features It seems it’s that time again! I was going through my folders of saved items trying desperately to free up some space on my hard drive, and it occurred to me that the flash drive folder is pretty full again. So here we are, with the latest installment of my obsession. You know what I really love? It’s rare that I have to repeat one in order to have enough to make a post worthwhile. Which tells me I can’t possibly be the only one who finds them fascinating. Please tell me I do not have to explain this first one to you. In order to access your data, you have to pull of Kenny’s head. You bastard! But not to worry, just like in the show, he’ll be perfectly fine as soon as you put his head back on. That kid has more lives than any dozen cats. The drive itself offers 4GB of memory and measures 2.2 x 0.4 x 2.3 inches. Kenny can be yours for anywhere from $15.00 US to $20.00 US, depending on where you shop. Source: Geek Alerts How about one for the girly-girls? If you or someone you love is the frilly, feminine type, then this crystal-encrusted, heart-shaped USB drive is for you. It doesn’t give dimensions, but it does say the design is “lightweight and compact in size,” so I’m guessing it’s not too huge. 16GB of storage goes for about $34.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets Swiss Army flash drive! Gosh, but I love Victorinox. And I seriously mean that. Who else would come up with a gadget that fits in your pocket, but which contains not only a few tools you may need in your everyday life, but also a flash drive in 8GB, 16GB or 32GB? What tools you get varies with what size drive you choose, as does the colour. The best part, though, is the name. They call it the Jetsetter, which indicates that all the tools included can be carried on a plane. Of course, you should make sure the rules haven’t changed before you stick it in your pocket on the way to the airport. These are exclusively an Apple Store item, with pricing starting at $39.95 US. Source: The Gadgeteer What do you do with an old vacuum tube? Why, turn it into a flash drive, of course! These were created by Latvian steampunk artist Slava Tech, and are based on a Sandisk flash drive. They are set, of course, inside old Russian vacuum tubes. These are available with blue, red or green LED lights, and in 8GB or 16GB capacity. Pricing is at $69.00 US and $79.00 US respectively. Source: Technabob Most people lose flash drives; it’s just a fact of life. Most of the time it’s an annoyance, but not a huge deal. And you’ll more than likely find them eventually so you can get your data back…assuming, of course, the place you find them is not the lint filter on your dryer. But for things you really can’t lose, why not put your data on a wristband flash drive? It’s right there on your wrist, and easy to tell if something goes wrong and it falls off for whatever reason. These are 32GB, and come molded into a silicon bracelet measuring 8 1/2 inches in total length. You can pick one up for about $20.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets This one just grabbed my attention. Since I work in the entertainment industry, I spend an awful lot of time with all sorts of equipment. And I have to admit, my first reaction was what normal women do when they see puppies or babies: I squealed and said right out loud in my living room, “Oh, how cuuute!” I can’t help myself sometimes. Anyway, this is a Yamaha Music Monitor, and it gives you 16GB of storage in an adorable, pretty realistic package that fits in the palm of your hand. You can get one for about $45.00 US. Source: Geek Alerts This might not look neat, but it certainly is neat in function. This actually is a gadget designed to store all of your passwords in one place, because in the Internet age we all have at least a dozen of them and you’re required to change them every so often or risk being compromised. Called the myIDkey, this can only be unlocked with your fingerprint, or you can design a series of taps or swipes in a pattern to make it even more secure. It plugs in like a regular USB drive or it will connect via Bluetooth. This one is currently a Kickstarter project, so if you want to get in on the funding to make it a reality, now is the time. Source: Digital Trends Slowly but surely, USB 3.0 drives are entering the market. These obviously aren’t goofy-shaped, but they do offer a pocket clip and several colours to choose from. The USB 3.0 drive slides out for easy access and there is no loose cap to worry about losing. These are available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB with pricing starting at $14.00, and are supposed to start shipping later this month. Source: TechFresh Looks like a Leica, doesn’t it? But while this one does have a removable lens, it won’t take pictures. It will, however, store 16GB of pictures for you, and that can’t be all bad. I mentioned the removable lens…that’s where the USB drive is actually stored. The body of the camera doesn’t really do anything other than look neat, but the film advance lever does actually turn. These are running $45.00 US each. Source: Gizmodiva I know, I know, I just wrote about these the other day. But they’re neat, and I absolutely cannot resist including something from Mimoco every time I do one of these posts. These are the latest in the Legends of Mimobot collection: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They come in 8GB, 16GB or 128GB for $20.00 US, $30.00 US and $120.00 US respectively. And of course they come with wallpapers, avatars, and icons as do all of the Mimoco family of drives. Source: Gizmodo Metal Gear Rising. If you know, you know. If you don’t, well, you can at least own this flash drive and pretend. Just don’t let yourself get drawn into any conversations or you’ll be exposed as the fraud that you are. This only offers 2GB of storage, and but it looks like Raiden’s sword so its nifty factor outweighs its impracticality. As added incentive, it comes with an exclusive “Return to Ashes” instrumental track by artist/composer Jamie Christopherson. Preorder now for about $15.00, and it will arrive later this month. Source: Geek Alerts These are easily among the top ten ridiculous things I’ve seen, but I kinda want them. Obviously they don’t actually offer you any data storage, but they’ll keep your feet nice and warm. That’s right…slippers shaped like USB drives. If you want a pair already crocheted, you’ll have to shell out $40.00 US. But if you know how to crochet and want to make your own, you can pick up the pattern for just $5.50 US. Source: Technabob To close this one out, I’m repeating one I’ve covered before, both because I find it ridiculously funny and because the last time I featured it, you couldn’t buy one. It’s now a reality, believe it or not. It’s a vibrator (yes, you’re thinking the right thing) that contains a USB flash drive. The battery pack on the marital aid (I love that term) is rechargeable via USB, and at the same time you can transfer some files. No, I don’t have any idea why you would want to. It comes in several models: A $149 version with no storage, a $219 version with 8GB of space and a 24K gold plated ring between the vibrator and base, and a $349 model with 16GB and a fully gold plated base. All prices are USD. Source: Oh Gizmo! Share This With The World!
