Kingston DataTraveler Reader integrates card reader into USB drive

Looks like Kingston's DataTraveler is taking yet another form, as it's moving beyond its uber-secure and ReadyBoost-lovin' ways onto a hybrid rendition to multitask with the best of 'em. Although the new DataTraveler Reader may seem like your average 1GB / 2GB / 4GB USB 2.0 thumb drive at first glance, just popping the unusually wide hood will reveal the secret within. Aside from toting a good bit of your files on its lonesome, users can also expand the amount of usable storage by inserting their own SD, MMC, or SDHC card. The firm states that Windows Vista and OS X users alike won't have any issues tangling with this here device, and with the right adapter, you can even slip miniSD, microSD, MMCplus, RS-MMC, MMCmobile, and MMCmicro cards into the reader too. Notably, the drive appears as two separate partitions on one's computer if a flash card is riding shotgun, so you know precisely where your incriminating photos are headed when you drag 'em over. The 1GB and 2GB flavors of the DataTraveler Reader will be landing in stores later this month for $19.99 and $34.99 respectively, while those eying the capacious 4GB edition will be forced to guess the price while waiting for it to surface in Q2.

[Via DigitalMediaThoughts]

[Suresh @ Mar 11th 2007 3:01AM]

Thats cool.

[Person157 @ Mar 11th 2007 3:18AM]

That's useful. You're post I mean

[blah @ Jun 18th 2007 2:20AM]

Actually, these have been around for quite a while.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2941010&CatId=942
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1567039&CatId=942
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1779375&CatId=942

I've had the second one for over a year and it works great.

[timkedojeh @ Apr 4th 2007 12:00AM]

@ blah

Actually, as far as I can see, those products don't have built-in flash memory. So, this is a step up (and, in my opinion, a fantastic one at that).

[resource @ Mar 15th 2007 2:38PM]

blah - You're just being a naysayer. The crap from Tigerdirect is ugly and has no built-in flash.

These have up to 4 GBs, are smaller and look better.
This is the first time I've seen this and it will be my next flash drive.

[tachikoma @ Jan 19th 2008 10:13PM]

Now all I need is one of these with MP3 capabilities.

[GSP @ Mar 11th 2007 8:56AM]

Excellent idea ... so simple ... so obvious (!)

[Steven @ Mar 11th 2007 9:27AM]

@Blah

Ive also got had one of these for about 14months, its miniSD and its alot better looking than the one in the picture!

[netposer @ Mar 11th 2007 9:42AM]

I've had a Lexar card reader like this for over 2 years. The only difference is the lack of built in memory on mine.

The problems you will run into with these is their girth. On some recessed USB ports you'll find it won't connect. Other than that they are quite useful.

[blah @ Mar 11th 2007 5:48PM]

Bah, built-in memory is so overrated. 2-4gb will be dwarfed in 3 years when we have 16gb SD cards.
Get with the program people. @resource And I didn't know so many thought USB drives are a fashion accessory.

[rosciol @ Mar 12th 2007 12:25PM]

I agree with the above about this idea being old; I've had a Lexar since 2003 that does this, and I still use it. The thing I loved about the idea then is the same thing I love about the idea now: futureproof. When I first got it I had a 16MB SD card in there; now, I keep a 1GB in there most of the time (my needs for flash drives are usually small). My only complain has always been that it was a little big, so if this guy is tiny I'd be tempted to finally upgrade, four years later.

[Affe @ Mar 12th 2007 4:57PM]

I bought one similar to this at CompUSA for $10. I use it as a card reader for my MemoryStick Duo.

[Matt L @ Mar 15th 2007 5:40PM]

There is only one other vendor that has a product like this (reader PLUS on-board memory) that I know of: PQI. It's called the SmartGenie and only comes in up to 512mb versions, and I've had problems with mine - had to send it back already to be replaced because it failed, so I'm happy to see another vendor make one in a bigger configuration!