PQI's "pen-like" retractable Cool Drive U350

Power Quotient International -- best known for squeezing exorbitantly large amounts of data onto incredibly small modules -- is at it again with its zany flash drive antics, and this time the company is unveiling a retractable version to keep that presumably delicate USB connector safe. The Cool Drive U350 will be available in 0.5/1/2/4GB sizes and play nice with both Windows XP and OS X-based systems, but differs from the stockpile of other alternatives by "automatically retracting the USB head into the main body" when the outer tab is pulled. Although the U350 is a tad lengthy at 7.75 centimeters, at least it's less likely to be "misplaced" when out and about, and the "pen-like" mechanism will give you one more thing to fidget with while on the subway if nothing else.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 1:34AM]

Why dont more companies work tords making thumbdrives small enough that you can actually cary one arround with you on your keychain?

I mean everyones excuse for the huge drives is that you can't loose it... How often do you loose your keys?

[wyssaj01 Posted Oct 29th 2006 1:58AM]

you have to be kidding right? i have a 2gb cruzer micro and its small enough to carry on my keychain, in fact, i do. my entire life is on that drive. i have all of my school work on it and because its u3, all of my programs are on there too.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 1:01AM]

You'd be surprised how many people lose their keys. I used to work at a grocery store that uses 'club cards' for savings, you'd be surprised how many people LEAVE their keys at/near the cash register.

Though taken on average, most people that shop at grocery stores are inherently dumb, being that they are suckered to do the shopping by their more intuitive spouse/room-mate ;)

Smaller flash drives are always good, that just means you can get one the size like they are now, with more capacity. Or a smaller one period. Wins on both ends. More research put into smaller solutions for flash memory, the better. Not just smaller though, but much larger capacities. I want to see a 30-gig iPod Nano in the next few years, damnit!

By the way, I carry a USB flash drive (of a 2-gig flavor) on my keychain and it's fine....just about the size of a key, actually. :/

[TechCF Posted Oct 29th 2006 10:33AM]

Adam: I hope you have a backup :)

I've never had a problem with the USB connector, but lots of other problems:

One of my drives is coin-sized and has no hole for mounting making me loosing it all the time
The Sandisk mounting hole broke of making it fall to the floor and it's cover split in two (taped up now)
The Kingston is still living, but it's very large. All three has lost their USB connector caps.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 2:00PM]

@ adam: Your entire life surely does not relate to music or video production! There is good reasons why "some" consumer want bigger capacity in the smallest memory device as possible.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 4:41AM]

I actually carry mine around my neck on that really stylish lanyard it came with...wait I lied, I, nor anyone else I have ever met wears it on those ugly as shoe strings.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 8:57AM]

The retractable pen-like USB memory stick is nothing new. Memorex has been selling a retractable pen-like USB memory stick under the M-Flyer model name for at least a year now.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 9:06AM]

Hmmm... anyone of you noticed the pqi logo? Looks a bit suspicious... kinda like that mp3 player from whats the name of the company again... oh um... apple... yeh thats right...

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 9:24AM]

You can't be serious

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 6:40PM]

You can't possibly be serious...

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 9:14AM]

@Adil: ...what?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 9:40AM]

Please grace us with the COST of the thing. Better yet, don't tell us about a new gadget UNLESS you have the price. That would be real nice. Thanks!

[EdZ Posted Oct 29th 2006 10:15AM]

Like a pen, eh?
Click. click-click.
...
Clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick
clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick
clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick-snap

[stridermt2k Posted Oct 29th 2006 10:44AM]

I carry my 4GB retractable Cruzer Micro on my keys all the time.

Portable apps rock, although I'm not blown away by U3 at all. I removed it with the U3 removal utility, although be advised it's permamnent (or so they say.)

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 11:20AM]

...: there's always a nice Sandisk Ultra II SD card =\
If I'm not mistake it comes with a little cover, or you can buy one, that protects it and can connect to your keychain. It's probably lighter than a USB stick, but that isn't saying much. Besides, you also have to pay the premium of ...buying an Ultra II SD card.

[stridermt2k Posted Oct 29th 2006 11:25AM]

I have one in my digital camera.
Nice card, very versatile.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2006 11:20AM]

mistaken*

[nuttybars Posted Oct 29th 2006 2:47PM]

I want a thumbdrive that is shaped like a real thumb, dammit.

I'm surprised the company with all of those weird shaped usb devices doesn't have one, actually.