MEGATech Showcase: Return of the Flash Drives Beth Snyder May 25, 2013 Features Looks like the collection of bookmarks has grown to epic proportions again, which means it’s clearly time for another showcase! Not all of these are goofy shapes, but they all offer something unique in the way of data storage. And there’s probably something for everyone here, so let’s dive right in and see exactly what we’ve got in this latest installment of my own personal obsession. Flash drives are also known as thumb drives, as we know. And what better thumb drive than an Ice Truck Killers replica from Dexter? This is an officially licensed product from Showtime and it features packaging that would fit right in with the TV show. You’re only getting an 8GB capacity for about $43.00 US, but then you’re not really paying for the specs; you’re paying for the cool factor. Source: 7 Gadgets I think I’ve featured this one before, but whatever. It’s pretty darn neat. This is, of course, the Iron Man 3 Mark 42 Hand, and it offers you 16GB of storage. Its fingers are movable so you can pose it in a variety of positions, and there is an LED indicator light in its palm to let you know when it’s in use. You get either left or right hands, although it doesn’t appear you can choose but rather have to deal with whichever is in stock. This one doesn’t come cheap…you’re going to have to shell out about $55.00 US for it. Source: Gadget Review These were in one of the first flash drive showcases I ever did, but they’ve made another appearance and they’re pretty darn amazing. There are three different models, each a mushroom shape featuring a 32GB USB drive, and completely covered with either diamonds, rubies or sapphires, along with yellow, white or pink gold. The gold is pure 18K, and the stones are real. I’m sure it will not shock you to learn that these are ridiculously expensive. Asking price is $32,000 US each. Source: Everything USB How about a Call of Duty: Black Ops II bomb drive? It’s kinda neat, even if it only has 8GB of storage. Just pull the bomb apart (something that is decidedly not recommended for a real bomb) to access the USB plug. It has a hole so you can attach it to a chain or other clip (not included), or you can just carry it around in your pocket. If you want one, you’ll have to come up with about $21.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets Mach Xtreme is now offering a 256GB USB 3.0 drive to go along with its line of smaller capacity drives. It’s rather plain-looking, but that’s the price you pay when you find something with USB 3.0…at least until more companies start offering novelty casings. Speaking of price, there isn’t any word yet on how much this one will be, but based on other comparable drives it’s probably going to be pretty spendy. Source: TechFresh Meet the SanDisk Cruzer Orbit. This isn’t anything out of the ordinary as far as flash drives go (it comes in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB), but its design, while simple, is pretty darn neat. Its circular shape allows you to easily attach it to just about anything, while also serving as a guard for the USB part. Just slide the cover to the side, and you’re ready to go. Pricing ranges from $30 US to $50 US. Source: Technabob This one is a concept piece, but I am definitely intrigued. This is Without PC, and the idea here is that it will allow you to transfer files from a portable hard drive to a flash drive without needing to hook either device to a computer. I’m not entirely sure why you would want to do that, but I guess if you were getting files from someone else it would come in handy. It features a touchscreen that takes the place of the menu on a computer, and looks pretty simple to operate. Maybe someday it’ll be something you can actually buy. Source: Yanko Design These make me giggle a lot. At first blush, it’s just a cute little doctor-shaped flash drive. But the fact that you have to pop his head off to access your data, and the fact that he will then hold his head in his lap, is pretty darn amusing. His arms and legs are movable, and you get 64GB of storage. For this, you’ll only have to pay $23.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets There’s something about this one that definitely appeals to me, even though it’s really nothing all that special to look at. Made by Chopard, a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, this round 8GB flash drive is a limited edition. Its case is made from rhodium plated brass (decorated with Geneva stripes), and it measures as little as 39mm in diameter. Only 8000 pieces have been created, so if you want one you’ll have to hurry. I can’t seem to find out how much it costs, but it’s a safe bet it’s not cheap. Source: Damn Geeky Star Wars day is, of course, long past. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate every day with R2-A6, which if you’re a fan of the movies you know is a green R2 model favoured by the Naboo security forces. As you can tell by the picture, this is a Mimobot, which means it comes with all of the assorted bits of software you’ve come to expect (wallpapers, audio files, etc.). Available from 8GB through 128GB, with pricing ranging from $24.95 US to $129.99 US. Source: TechCrunch Not only is this a flash drive, it’s a charger as well! It all depends on which way you use it. Powerstick+ measures a whopping 4.6? x 1.3? x 0.7?, which is reasonable for a portable charger and completely ridiculous for a flash drive. It comes with three different connector tips — microUSB, miniUSB and Apple 32-pin — to allow for charging a wide range of devices. It’s supposed to take about two hours to fully charge, and about 90 minutes to discharge, and is supposed to last for 1000 charge/discharge cycles. The storage portion ranges from 4GB to 16GB, with pricing ranging from $79.00 US to $99.00 US. Source: The Gadgeteer This is another one that doesn’t look like much, but has features that more than compensate for its utilitarian design. In addition to offering 64GB of storage, this is USB 3.0, waterproof and shockproof. It can perform up to 100 MB/s read speed, up To 50MB/s write speed, and is available in blue or red. You can bring one home today for right around $50.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets How about flash drives you can customize yourself? If you’re creative, you’ve probably already done that, but for those a little less talented in that department these are kits. Choose between Kung Fu Master or the Queen’s Guard, and you’ll soon be styling with 8GB of DIY flash drive goodness. Each one is made from tactile, water-resistant silicone, and the USB portion is protected Pez-style. Just $31.00 US gets you started. Source: Coolest Gadgets I have to admit, I’m always highly skeptical of anything that claims to be the “world’s best” anything. That’s entirely too subjective, and the world is a pretty big place. However, this flash drive from CustomUSB known as the Carbide is definitely in the top ten. Features include platform independent security PIN lock; AES 256-bit self encryption (with FIPS Security 140-2 Level 3 certification); multi-user with multiple passwords abilities; tamper and hacker resistance; free portable applications; and even built-in ESET anti-virus abilities with 5 years of free updates. Furthermore, these 8GB – 32GB drives are military certified (810F) for water, dust, shock & tamper resistance. See what I mean? Pricing ranges from $90.00 US to $150.00 US, depending on how much storage you need. Source: EverythingUSB While I’m on a theme, here’s another waterproof offering! This one comes to you from Topmore, and has 32GB of storage while being waterproof, shockproof, anti-static, able to function in high temperatures, and anti-wrestling (I have to admit, I have no earthly idea what anti-wrestling even means, but it sounds kinda impressive). All that goodness comes housed in a zinc-alloy shell, and can be yours for about $40.00 US. Source: 7 Gadgets Who would’ve guessed that a cartoon that started as a bit on the Tracy Ullman Show (Who? Exactly my point!) would end up being such a huge part of our culture? I’m talking about the Simpsons, of course. And these flash drives are a must for anyone’s collection. They’re only available in Homer, Bart or Lisa (poor Marge and Maggie!), but they’re pretty reasonably priced at least. $14.00 US will get you an 8GB version, but if you look around it’s possible to find higher capacities on sale for practically the same price. Source: Geek Alerts Good things come in small packages, or so the saying goes. Me, I tend to lose things in small packages on a regular basis, but that’s why these also have a hole so you can attach a chain or some other means of hooking them to your bag. These are mini flash drives, offering 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of storage in a drive housing about the size of a quarter. No word on pricing as of yet, but keep an eye out. Source: TechFresh I’ll close this one out with another Mimobot drive, because I love them. Data is primarily logical, and so is Spock, so this works on more than one level. Of course, he comes with the wallpapers, avatars, sound, and other software bits as all of their drives do, and you can choose anywhere from 8GB through 64GB of storage. Pricing ranges from $24.95 US through $69.99 US. Source: GizmoDiva Share This With The World!
