MEGATech Showcase – Flash Drives Make Me Happy Edition

It’s that time once again! I know you’ve been waiting with bated breath, practically salivating in anticipation of seeing what this latest collection might bring. OK, maybe that’s just me, whatever. There are a few of these I’m hoping to add to my personal collection, and some that don’t do much for me but that I am sure would suit someone else just fine. A friend pointed out the other day that I go for the goofy exterior designs while caring little about the specs, and he’s absolutely right. I don’t believe I have ever had to move more than about 50MB of data, so pretty much any flash drive will do. My thing is if they amuse me to look at. So…let’s get started, shall we?

First up is the Family Guy collection, and I want every single one of them. If you’re not familiar with the show (which is weird for me, but some people aren’t), you really should check it out. You get to choose between Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie, Brian, the Evil Monkey and the Giant Chicken. Each one is available in either 8GB or 16GB, and will cost you between $15.00 and $20.00 US depending on where you shop and what capacity you choose.

Source: Geek Alerts

So you’ve jumped on the Apple bandwagon and bought yourself and iPhone or iPad. Great! But now you want to transfer files either to or from those devices, and it turns out they do not have a USB port (I’m assuming here, as I don’t own any of their products other than a first generation iPod mini). What you need is a Read or Write iPad Flash Drive. Paired with the free app, this drive will allow you to drag and drop files, and to back up your email and contacts under 10MB via Bluetooth. This is compatible with iPhone 5, 4S, 4, and 3GS; iPod touch 5th, 4th, and 3rd generations; all iPad models, and iPad mini, and like most of their products is not cheap. You’re going to have to shell out about $170.00 US if you want one.

Source: 7 Gadgets

There are several on this page, but I like the banana best so it’s the one I’m choosing to feature. You can check out the pictures of the rest of them in the gallery. As you can see, it looks like a partially peeled banana, and you pull off the tip to reveal the USB plug. Each one is waterproof and dustproof, with a housing made of silica gel (isn’t that the stuff in those “do not eat” packets that come with electronics and beef jerky?). They are available from 2GB through 32GB, and you’ll have to inquire as to pricing.

Source: Computex.biz

Now here’s something practical…a flash drive that will also open your favourite bottled beverage! The flash drive part offers 32GB of storage, and the exterior is a brushed metal finish. It has a loop for easy attachment to a key ring or bag, although looking at it I don’t know how practical that would be for opening bottles unless you attached it to a chain. These are running about $25.00 US.

Source: 7 Gadgets

Apparently there are more people in the world who wear cufflinks than I thought. The thing is, they are equally apparently some pretty cool people, since a large number of flash drive cufflinks available trend toward comics. I think that’s neat. These are 4GB Batman cufflinks (2GB on each one), with an added bonus comic book in each box. They are enamel-plated in matte black, and have an engraveable whale back closure. Each officially licensed set costs about $200.00 US.

Source: Geek Alerts

Along with cufflinks, there seems to always be a wristband. This one is a little more traditional than some of the multi-coloured silicon styles, enclosed in what looks like a regular leather watch band. These are available in brown only, but offer capacities ranging from 4GB to 32GB. Each one measures 21.5cm/8.46inches, with the USB portion encased in what looks like a buckle when not in use. Pricing varies depending on capacity, but ranges from about $12.00 to $30.00 US.

Source: 7 Gadgets

One of the disadvantages to some of the more unique flash drive cases is the fact that if you carry them around either on a key ring or in your pocket, you run the risk of damaging them and losing your data. Not so with the LaCie XtremKey flash drive! It’s water resistant up to 200 metres (656ft), can survive 10 metre (32ft) drops and can withstand being crushed by up to 10 tons of pressure. It gets better. It can also hold up to 200°C (392°F) for 3 minutes and freezing conditions as low as -30°C (-22°F) for 24 hours. And, it’s USB 3.0! Not a bad way at all to protect 32GB of data, is it? Also not cheap: price at launch is £64.99 (~$100.00 US).

Source: TechRadar

I would lose this in a New York minute. But…you can also leave it in your USB port even while traveling your laptop, so maybe not. This itty bitty flash drive is approximately the same size as the receiver for my wireless mouse, and offers 32GB of data storage. Unfortunately, it is also listed as currently unavailable, with no word on when it might be back on shelves. But…if you want a flash drive which compares to the size of a dime, keep an eye out. It costs about $35.00 US.

Source: 7 Gadgets

It’s a Matchbox/Hot Wheels car! No, it’s a flash drive. Nope…it’s both! Meet Flash Rods, die cast metal cars with working wheels, working doors, and a working USB 3.0 flash drive. They are available in seven different vintage hot rod models, in either 32GB ($110.00 US) or 64GB ($140.00 US). Rather than having to pull apart these gorgeous models to access your data, each one comes with a USB cable so you can either pop open the hood or trunk or insert it under the bumper. They are hand-built to order, so if you’re eager to own one ordering sooner rather than later is probably a good idea.

Source: EverythingUSB

Wearing one of these will obviously not make you into Iron Man, but you can emulate your hero by doing so. This is, of course, Iron Man’s Arc Reactor, and in addition to being something neat for your superhero collection it offers you 8GB of data storage. It even has an LED light so you can pretend to be Iron Man…although I would recommend only doing that in private, unless you have a kid who wants to play along. People tend to look at grownups funny if they’re playing pretend without a child. These are running in the $40.00 US range.

Source: 7 Gadgets

If you are older than about 30, you remember when Saturday morning cartoons were focused entirely on Warner Brothers. And if you remember that, then you are very familiar with Speedy Gonzales, the mouse from Mexico who could make tracks so fast he always got the cheese before the trap snapped shut, and the cat never stood a chance. Well, now you can own him in a flash drive (although it would be better if he was USB 3.0 because it’s faster, he is really USB 2.0). In order to access your 8GB of data you’ll have to pop his head off, but the included chain has a keeper so you won’t lose it. You can take one home today for right around $30.00 US.

Source: 7 Gadgets

I have already pre-ordered one of these. If you don’t know who this is, you probably should turn in your geek card. Unless of course you don’t have one, in which case you should go check out at least a couple of seasons of Doctor Who and get one (and make sure you see one with the 4th Doctor). This is, of course, K-9, and it’s a four-port USB hub. He stands about five inches tall, is finished with weathered detail and shows battle scars from his adventures with the Doctor. Shipping won’t happen until July, but you can pre-order yours right now for about $40.00 US.

Source: Geek Alerts

Bringing this collection to a close is a choo-choo train USB hub. Rather than windows in each train car, you have a USB port. They can either be pushed together for a solid stick-type hub, or separated for a little more flexibility. The USB cable tucks underneath the train’s engine for storage when not in use. They even have a blue LED right (er…light. There’s a bit of a translation issue here). They’re currently only available in Korea, but it’s possible you could find one for 11,000 KRW (~$10 USD) if you do a little looking.

Source: Technabob