Accordion-style USB drive actually solves a problem

We see so much insane USB crap around here that we were pretty apprehensive of a link entitled "Accordion USB drive," but color us magenta if the damn thing doesn't actually look incredibly useful -- instead of an easily-lost cap, the connector simply pops back into the case. Sadly, it's not a real product yet, just a concept by Polish design student Jacek Ryn, but we'll be the first in line if it ever gets real -- Engadget HQ is littered with far too many capless flash drives.

[Via MAKE]

[Ellianth Posted Apr 5th 2008 2:16PM]

I guess they don't sell these thumb drives in America:
-The ones that rotate so that the cap never has to come off.
-The ones that have that slide thing. You push it down and the connector comes out, you pull it up the connector goes back inside the case. Kinda like a pen.

[Shigawire Posted Apr 5th 2008 3:40PM]

Cap, schmap. USB sticks don't need protection. My SuperTalent PicoDrive is just a little (and I mean really little) chunk of metal that sticks into a USB slot. I keep it in my wallet, it's that small. No useless plastic covers to biggen it up. Yes, I made that word up.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 5th 2008 4:08PM]

Touche, salesman...

[Shigawire Posted Apr 5th 2008 4:11PM]

I am no salesman, though my girlfriend does work for them. But yes that was a pretty salesy post.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 5th 2008 4:51PM]

For fuck sakes, every thread is full of people saying "The reply system is broken".
We get it.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2008 4:27PM]

Because it's still broken? I don't understand why Engadget hasn't fixed it yet.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 5th 2008 5:30PM]

Why isn't the reply system working???

[Wilco Posted Apr 5th 2008 6:10PM]

What would be really cool is if the accordion part expanded/retracted proportional to the amount of space used. So the more it was filled up with files, the further out it would extend. Just something that popped into my head when I saw it ...

[benjgvps Posted Apr 5th 2008 6:07PM]

But will it work with the MacBook Air's USB port?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 5th 2008 6:55PM]

Have you seen something smaller than these A-DATA USB readers for microSD cards:

http://www.adata.com.tw/adata_en/product_show.php?ProductNo=AMCSRZZZGH

I bought the 2GB kit from NewEgg for $12 (item # N82E16820211154).

Then I substituted the 2GB card with an 8GB microSDHC ($55 at NewEgg). Unbelievably small...

But if I need the reader to also fit in an SD slot, then I'd use:

http://www.adata.com.tw/adata_en/product_show.php?ProductNo=ATRAZZZWH
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/flash_drives/ocz_trifecta_secure_digital-memory_cards

NewEgg sells the 2GB kit also for $12 (item # N82E16820211152) -- note that they show a picture of the older black version as opposed to the white.

Not as small, but more versatile. I just wish they can copy the SanDisk Ultra II SD Plus card's patented USB connector hinged cover, so I won't have to worry about losing the removable cap...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 5th 2008 6:57PM]

Eh I was replying to the page1 post from J S:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/05/accordian-style-usb-drive-actually-solves-a-problem/comments/11463273/

[MrAffrox Posted Apr 5th 2008 7:53PM]

I wonder if the thing will break like the bendy part of a straw after a while

[kmeisthax Posted Apr 5th 2008 8:04PM]

Well they are called Gawker Media...

[cr0ft Posted Apr 6th 2008 1:21PM]

Three words: Sandisk Cruzer Titanium. I saw a TV program where they taped one of those to the underside of a boot and the guy ran up a rocky hill, through a swamp, shook the water out of it and plugged it into a laptop and it worked just fine. My 4GB model has been on my keyring for many months and still looks new in spite of being rubbed up against keys and whatnot in my pocket. As for the person saying that didn't protect the connector... yeah right, obviously the problem for the connector are crushing or bending forces, not the miniscule risk of having something poking into it.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 5th 2008 9:31PM]

And now those photos are online, I'm guessing it'll be about 48 hours before cheap, poorly functioning Shenzen-made knockoffs are all over the internet too...

[Beretta1526 Posted Apr 5th 2008 9:36PM]

I have a Kingston drive that does the same thing. It almost works like a switchblade, but without a spring. The thing is, its overall length is still the same as most of these with their cap on.

.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 5th 2008 9:38PM]

Well...I admit that my second thought (after "cool idea") was "foreskin." It can't be helped.

[murc Posted Apr 6th 2008 7:01PM]

if its a capless thumb drive your looking for, get what I bought, the Memorex Travel Drive.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2008 2:35AM]

Problem is that too many consumers think that the slighest spec of dust could destroy a USB drive. I use the Corsair Voyagers myself and Corsair has been great about sending a few extra caps upon request. I look at the cap as a means to prevent the USB connect from scratching, snagging, damaging something else. I think the cap for a pen is far more important, however.

[Lweel8 Posted Apr 6th 2008 11:40AM]

Yep, this doesn't solve anything and looks super cheap. Fail, IMO.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2008 4:02PM]

this is really cool I would love to buy this when they actually do make it, Hey I would use it! It does look pretty sweet though, you dont have to admit that. now hopefully they put some bright LED in there too :) hehehe So cool :)

Nick
http://nerwin.net

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2008 5:39PM]

They obviously don't. Let's continue!

It's broken!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 6th 2008 7:18PM]

I think the common fear among manufacturers is that you could potentially have barbecue chicken wings in your pocket; the sauce could get into the usb connector and you'd have a seriously hard time cleaning it out without putting tossing it in the washer machine. Wait a minute...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 8th 2008 3:20PM]

Well the corsair flash voyager rubber encased pcb takes care of the BBQ sauce on the circuit board, but not in the usb connector you might just have to lick it off

MMM.. flash drive lickin' good.

But seriously I don't see any reason to even have to conceal the usb port by any means retracting, caps, flips, rotates... etc. i mean even if the connector gets dirty enough not to make contact any more and you absolutely have to get the data off then pop open the case solder 4 wires to a cut usb cable get the data off and buy a new drive.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 2:06PM]

Now if only they could make one that wouldn't break off my keychain. I lost two of them that way and gave up.