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]

[Johnny @ Apr 5th 2008 3:33AM]

Bout time some on came up with a good thumb drive idea.

[Naveed @ Apr 5th 2008 3:35AM]

i see what you did there

[Matt @ Apr 5th 2008 3:42AM]

This article's a nice change from Gizmodo's report on the same USB drive. They just couldn't help comparing this particular USB drive to a part of the male anatomy...

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 5th 2008 11:28AM]

more like sexmodo.. Frackin' sickos over there...

[chonginese @ Apr 16th 2008 11:00PM]

what about sandisk's cruzers?

[Nick @ Apr 5th 2008 3:59AM]

Sha-wing!

[Bobs @ Apr 5th 2008 5:41AM]

FWA-TANG!!

[feng @ Jul 1st 2009 9:33AM]

Look interesting, but don't we already have drives with retractable connectors?
Am I missing something here?

[Bobs @ Apr 5th 2008 5:42AM]

Yes, this is one solid piece, most retractables use some kind of rail and pin mechanism to lock the USB connector inside, this one uses the simple springy force of that rubbery material in an accordian shape. result? less wear and tear due to lack of moving parts, and cost of manufacture for the same intent with a difrent simpler design.

[Prezzie @ Apr 5th 2008 4:07AM]

I guess you guys never heard of the SanDisk Cruzer Micro. The USB connector slides in and out of the case, no cap needed.

Although admittedly that accordion thing is damned cute.

[peshue @ Apr 5th 2008 4:08AM]

Actually getting it to line up with the usb slot could be a annoying problem with some computers. It might be too big to fit in spots with lots of usb ports also, but it wouldn't be the first flash drive with that problem.

[Dean @ Apr 5th 2008 4:23AM]

these flash drives that just slide away (like the common sandisk ones) don't make sense to me, okay, the connector is "out of sight" but it is really not being any more protected than missing the cap to a regular flash drive. All I care about is the connectors and not getting crap in there, these seem to just make people think they are solving the problem

[jeppe @ Apr 5th 2008 4:40AM]

Accordian? I don't see any people on those pics. Perhaps you mean accordion?

A great idea anyhow!

[Bobs @ Apr 5th 2008 5:44AM]

You must havent gone to the lands of accordia.

[Justin Nolan @ Apr 5th 2008 4:37AM]

I've been carrying a cruzer micro in my jean pockets for the past year straight. I've never had a problem. A usb connector isn't that fragile anyway... just four flush pins. Worse case scenario just blow any dust out. If you've ever seen a tutorial on making a thumb drive water proof (aka washer proof), they always just cover the pcb in epoxy and leave the usb connecter be. It can take a tumble in a washer and dryer just fine, and it can surely survive your pocket in daily life.

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 5th 2008 11:32AM]

Mines been through the wash like 7 times.. I also took the case off and colored everything on the pcb with a black sharpie during math class.. And threw it at someone in the same math class.. The things are indistructable, epoxied or not.

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 5th 2008 11:35AM]

note it still works

[Wwhat @ Apr 7th 2008 8:06AM]

Although it's true they keep working they can transfer crap to the USB socket, which could cause poor connections in the future.

[David Brady @ Apr 5th 2008 5:28AM]

I use these retractable USB devices from Sony - been around for a while

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Sony_Micro_Vault_USB_flash_drive_4_GB__6498775

Retract like a stanley knife (box cutter to non UK) and the slide also has a USB to show power.

[Michael @ Apr 5th 2008 5:28AM]

But isn't the real problem caused by the fluff entering the connector from the pin-side (which neither the retractable ones nor this one will cover?)

[CB17 @ Apr 5th 2008 5:40AM]

Just add MicroSD slot and I'm sold

[jason @ Apr 5th 2008 5:42AM]

it's uncircumcised

[The Dude @ Apr 5th 2008 3:37PM]

That's what she said.

[IndiaTech @ Apr 5th 2008 5:10PM]

To Elliot Spitzer?

[feng @ Apr 5th 2008 5:52AM]

If dirt is a concern, there are these:

http://www.sony.com.sg/product/usm1gh?site=hp_en_SG_i

PCB with metal leads that plug straight in, no movable parts, no cap.

Of course, the no-frills design could get damaged more easily, but at least you get to choose your nightmare.

[xSwamp @ Apr 7th 2008 5:56AM]

Thats exactly what i thought.

Lets take scizzors to the guy.

[Mario @ Apr 5th 2008 7:34AM]

As others have pointed out, the Sandisk Cruzer solved this problem years ago, and with much more style.

[Kurian @ Apr 5th 2008 8:14AM]

Now we need a 25MBps version instead of the presumably chinese crap pictured above that gives 2MBps write speeds.

[Dirk Lucas @ Apr 5th 2008 8:40AM]

Exactly.

[YT @ Apr 6th 2008 4:01PM]

why on earth do people need a cap for thumb drive anyway since the USB connector itself aint fragile at all

[Stem $ell @ Apr 5th 2008 8:44AM]

~~~~~~~

There once was a USB flasher
Entrojaned, and ribbed, it was brasher
When its heiny gets shoved
It slips in sans its 'glove'
And soon Vista's a Headygoosed™ crasher

~~~~~~~~

[Mobius_1 @ Apr 5th 2008 10:02AM]

Cool USB driver, but doesn't come near to matching the phrase "color us magenta"

Pure awesomeness

[MEAT! @ Apr 5th 2008 10:19AM]

Has anyone noticed that some USB ports feel really loose, and the same device can feel like a snug fit on others? I would hope that the springyness of the compressed accordion isn't great enough to pop the USB drive out of a loose fit.

[TheTailor @ Apr 5th 2008 10:49AM]

It's ribbed, but for whose pleasure?

[Starvine @ Apr 5th 2008 11:00AM]

Jacek Ryn? Wasn't he in the Polish translation of Patriot Games?

[JS @ Apr 5th 2008 11:24AM]

Why is there a "problem"? You've already reported on the Kingman smallest USB flash drives, which require no case and are practically indestructible:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/15/kingmax-unveils-worlds-smallest-usb-flash-drive/

[Les @ Apr 5th 2008 11:24AM]

Agreed. These don't really protect the drive at all. Still kind a nifty.

Side note I have this 32mb(yeah that small) gateway(yeah that company) flash drive that I carried around when thumb drives just started being a available, and it survived the washer and the dryer, TWICE.

[Marvin Quach @ Apr 5th 2008 11:29AM]

Definitely nifty, although my swivel imation flash drive serves the same purpose... without the waiting. (If anyone is curious, I'm not using the swivel pro, for some reason they decided to cut a HOLE in the "cap"....)


Great find nonetheless.

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 5th 2008 11:32AM]

note that it still works

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 5th 2008 11:33AM]

that was for another comment.. I clicked on the date and everything!! wtf?

[Zeus.:God @ Apr 5th 2008 11:36AM]

That Gizmodo article, while you may think it is sick, they made a completely honest observation... Thats what I thought when I first saw this article... Then again, I may just be sick, myself.

[Zeus.:God @ Apr 5th 2008 11:36AM]

Reply system is broken.

[mymaclife @ Apr 5th 2008 11:41AM]

Must be damn hard o get a tune out of though!

[mcatrage @ Apr 5th 2008 12:43PM]

Wouldn't this put stress on the usb connection to keep the plug connected? If it's going to accordion back out it obviously has to have some stress built up.

[haracas @ Apr 5th 2008 12:43PM]

I can't believe you guys haven't used the glory that is the Sandisk Cruzer.
http://uk.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1168)-SanDisk_Cruzer_Micro_USB_Flash_Drive.aspx

[krzysztof @ Apr 5th 2008 1:14PM]

Heres's what I'm thinking... the skin is going to be a spring of sorts all bunched up- I can imagine it shooting out of my port at some random time. Sucks.

[Jango @ Apr 5th 2008 1:19PM]

For the retractable drives, you don't need to worry about sliding pins and contacts wearing out. The USB connector is actually still soldered onto the flash PCB, the guts of the drive are so small they just slide the whole PCB inside the case. Very little wear on any surface that matters.

[hendrix @ Apr 5th 2008 6:56PM]

Oh right, it's uncircumcised...

[Gilbert Tang @ Apr 5th 2008 1:26PM]

This explains my preferred use of the SanDisk line of usb-retractable drives.

[The Dude @ Apr 5th 2008 1:39PM]

Broken reply system, is fuckin' broken again.