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thumbdrive posts

Super Talent introduces world's first USB 3.0 flash drive

by Darren Murph posted Nov 4th 2009 at 1:27PM

USB 3.0 devices are just now starting to peek their heads out at retail, and it looks as if Super Talent is doing its darnedest to not be left out of the spotlight. Said company has just introduced what looks to be the planet's first USB 3.0 thumb drive (or "RAIDDrive," as it were), promising transfer rates of up to 320MB/sec when relying on a separate UAS Protocol driver with a USB 3.0 port. If you're using a stock USB 3.0 socket, you'll see speeds as high as 200MB/sec, while those bold enough to slam this into a USB 2.0 connector will see it slow to USB 2.0 speeds. There's no mention of a price or release date, but it should ship relatively soon in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB flavors.

[Via Hot Hardware]

Gallery: Super Talent introduces world's first USB 3.0 flash drive

iTwin fileshares over CEATEC showfloor, Mac firmware coming early 2010 (video)

by Ross Miller posted Oct 8th 2009 at 8:41AM

Since we last saw iTwin back in September, not much has changed -- two physically synced USB dongles create a AES-256 encrypted connection between two Windows machines for transferring files from anywhere in the world (provided both are connected to the internet, of course). We had a chance to see a controlled demonstration up close at CEATEC, and while it worked as well as expected it to, we're not quite sure the $99 price tag is low enough to pique our interests. We do appreciate the ability to "reverse" the flow of file sharing, but from what we gather it takes both parties to initiate the change -- clearly there's more flexibility in just setting up your own file server, but we're probably not the target audience here. If you're still interested but choose a lifestyle centered around a Mac, we were told an OS X firmware update would be available in early 2010, would apply to all existing models, and would allow both Mac-to-Mac and Mac-to-Windows transferring. Video after the break.

Gallery: iTwin hands-on

Continue reading iTwin fileshares over CEATEC showfloor, Mac firmware coming early 2010 (video)

Cowon's UM1 thumb drive for lovers, stalkers

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 1st 2009 at 6:03AM

If you thought Cowon's iAudio E2 had reduced the digital audio player to its stylish, diminutive core, think again: With the UM1 the company takes things even one step further by eliminating the "audio player" from the DAP altogether, leaving us with an elegant USB thumb drive that stores up to 16GB (75,900 Korean Won, or about $64). Featuring a little loophole at the top for a chain and the inscription "Don't Forget Me," this is practically begging to be presented as a gift, packed full of specially picked MP3s for your sweetheart / object of obsessive stalking. Just keep in mind that he or she will then need something to listen to the tunes on.

[Via DAP Review]

iTwin lets you share files over the internet

by Tim Stevens posted Sep 15th 2009 at 10:02AM

Finally, a product that might finally make this whole internet thing worthwhile by allowing someone to copy a file over it. Amazing, right? Okay, facetiousness aside, it's a little hard to get too excited about a product that will obviously cost something yet replicates a task easily performed for free, but the iTwin does make the process even more easy. It's basically a double-sided thumb drive that splits apart in the middle; plug one half into one computer and the other into the second and instantly you can drag and drop files from place to place. An absolute computer novice could handle this, but we have to wonder: how many computer novices are swapping files anyway? If this also allowed remote terminal control so that you could fix problems on your mother's computer while beaming over the latest pictures of the kids (and their illegally downloaded music) we might be a little more optimistic. No mention of price or availability, but there is a video demonstration below proving the tech works -- even if the demo touchpad apparently doesn't.

[Via TechCrunch]

Continue reading iTwin lets you share files over the internet

Kanguru takes eSATA + USB e-Flash drive to 64GB

by Darren Murph posted Sep 2nd 2009 at 8:54PM

We'd be stretching things ever-so-slightly if we said Kanguru's newest e-Flash drive was just a wee bit behind schedule, but at least the unit -- which was originally slated for a January release -- is finally real. If you'll recall from last year, this dual-sided drive includes a USB 2.0 connector for mass compatibility and a powered eSATA port for blazing performance. Until now, however, you've had to deal with capacities of 32GB and smaller, but the new 64GB iteration changes all that for good. Too bad there's nary a mention of this thing's MSRP, but we'd go ahead and brace for the worst if we were you.

[Via HotHardware]

See USB flash drives manufactured in this shocking behind-the-scenes video

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 25th 2009 at 3:25AM

No, Billy, USB thumb drives are not made in a magical land with fairy dust and Unicorn tears, and they're not born in the space beneath the Razzleberry waterfall. Yes, we're as shocked as you are. Luckily, the gang at Netbook News are on hand to set us straight with this video of the Kingston Manufacturing Plant, which offers us a rare glimpse into all of the stamping, printing, baking, cutting, and packaging that goes into getting you the portable storage you crave. Interesting? You bet it is -- and it's after the break.

[Via Make]

Continue reading See USB flash drives manufactured in this shocking behind-the-scenes video

Sanrio and MIMOBOT team up to unleash some cute for Hello Kitty's 35th

by Laura June posted Aug 12th 2009 at 1:33AM

Get ready -- Hello Kitty's about to blow out the candles for her 35th anniversary -- so Sanrio's gone on an especially wild licensing tear. We see all kinds of insane HK gear around these parts, but we are, admittedly, fans of MIMOBOTS adorable storage. Now, there are not a lot of details to go on here, nothing specific, with regards to pricing or capacities -- but the Hello Kitty MIMOBOT flash drives are expected on or about the 1st of November. Similar 'bots (we checked out Darth Vader) run $19.95 for a 1GB model, and up to $49.95 for a 30GB. Meow!! Now, we're not sure -- but we're laying our bets that we can expect other fruit-inspired costumes for our feline friend above... or maybe we're just hoping to see her dressed up as a peach!

Verbatim Tuff-Clip flash drives for the adventure nerd

by Nilay Patel posted Aug 10th 2009 at 7:58PM

We can't honestly say we've ever had a flash drive go bad because it wasn't tough enough, but apparently there's a market of globe-trotting ex-military jungle assassins out there big enough for Verbatim to join in with the Tuff-Clip USB stick. (Actually, it's TUFF-CLIP, because all-caps names are water-resistant to 100 feet.) Of course, you'll have to pay for those rugged good looks: the 4GB version is $30, while the 8GB is $50. Not exactly a steal when you consider this Hello Kitty stick we've been using cost us nothing more than our pride.

Kingston unveils 256GB thumb drive for well-heeled memory fiends

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 20th 2009 at 10:56AM

We're sure that it's only a matter of moments before a 256GB thumb drive this bulky is something of a joke -- hell, it wasn't so terribly long ago that cramming 256MB into something this size was an accomplishment. That said, if you're a netbook user looking for a storage bump, it looks like Kingston's got your back: this guy boasts transfer rates of up to 20 MB/sec. read and 10 MB/sec. write, and for all of you Vista fans, supports Windows ReadyBoost. Now, for the bad news: only available in Europe and the UK, and custom made upon your order (presumably after the check clears) this modern technological marvel will run you £565.67 ($924).

[Via TBreak]

Wood computer workstation takes up space, looks great, does little else

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 14th 2009 at 6:36PM

Dear Diary 1.0 is a computer workstation / desk made entirely of wood. Designed by Marlies Romberg, a recent grad of the Utrecht School of Arts, this bad boy features a laser-cut keyboard, a display, mouse, and a porcelain and silicone USB thumb drive with a signet (one of those wax seals they always put on letters in old-timey movies). We're guessing that none of this stuff is functional (save maybe the thumb drive), but if you're in the mood for a good artist's statement, try this one on for size: "Dear Diary 1.0 is ... both the literal and the figurative manifestation of the worlds colliding. A physical reminder that increasingly, the real and the digital are becoming indistinguishable." Not bad, eh? Just slap your Amazon Kindling on the thing and your anachronistic office will be just about complete. More pics after the break.

[Via Unplggd]

Continue reading Wood computer workstation takes up space, looks great, does little else

IronKey boasts 'world's most physically and cryptographically secure' thumb drive

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 13th 2009 at 9:51AM

This isn't the first time we've seen one of IronKey's encrypted USB thumb drives 'round these parts, but if you're an enterprise user, government contractor, or some sort of renegade corporate spy you'll want to take note of this next item. The S200 is being touted as the world's first and only USB flash drive certified for FIPS 140-2, Security Level 3, and features: hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption in CBC mode, a tamper-resistant and tamper-evident rugged metal case, hardware-based malware protection, trusted network restrictions (which prevent the device from unlocking on untrusted PCs), and all the other goodies you expect from the company. Of course, this level of protection doesn't come cheap -- with their consumer grade products starting at $79.99 and ascending pretty quickly from there, we can only imagine what enterprise customers are shelling out. Then again, if you have to ask what it costs, this one is probably not for you. PR after the break.

Continue reading IronKey boasts 'world's most physically and cryptographically secure' thumb drive

Modder places USB flash drive in Atari 2600 cart, amuses geeks world o'er

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 6th 2009 at 7:08PM

Well, kids, if you like your USB drives with a little style, a little kitsch, and far too large to be carried conveniently, a gentleman named Robotic Evil, Inc. has just the thing for you. The evil one is hard at work as we speak, taking 2GB thumb drives and placing them in the artifacts of genuine geek nostalgia. Really, who wouldn't want to receive a hand-assembled computer peripheral in the shape of an Atari game cartridge or an NES controller? These things cost $29.99 (add another $5 for shipping and handling) and they're available at this dude's Etsy store. Check out the NES controller / drive yourself after the break.

[Via BoingBoing]

Continue reading Modder places USB flash drive in Atari 2600 cart, amuses geeks world o'er

Ned Kelly thumb drive for the bushranger in your life

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 6th 2009 at 6:02AM

Bushrangers were Australia's answer to English highwaymen and Ned Kelly was perhaps the most celebrated of them all. Known for his homemade armor and helmet -- here represented by the USB plug -- Kelly has now been truly immortalised by the art of memory stick modding. Fair enough, woodworking isn't a terribly precise art and we could just as easily claim this to be a Hristo Botev (who?) USB drive, but we have to commend the considerable effort required to put this baby together. On the other hand, there are snazzier alternatives out there, which look great even without you explaining the mythology behind their design.

[Via Boing Boing]

Windows 7 could be sold on thumb drives, but probably not

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jun 26th 2009 at 1:50PM

As you know, Windows 7 pre-orders begin today (unless you're lucky enough to be in Europe, that is). This of course begs the question: what is a Win7-aspiring netbook owner to do? External optical drives are pretty kludgey, in our estimation, and trip to the Geek Squad? Out of the question. According to CNET, a "source" of some sort is goin' around saying that Microsoft is planning on making the OS available on USB thumb drives for the ultra-portable market, although we feel that such devices are best left to the college students who rely on campus computer labs -- or the occasional J.Lo album. As for Microsoft, they've said nothing about any of this, although we have noticed that its online store has all three upgrades (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate) available for pre-order download (at $49.99, $99.99, and $219.99 respectively). Problem solved, right?

Buffalo's 16GB 5mm USB Thumbkey: It's really small

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jun 24th 2009 at 6:58PM

This isn't the first time Buffalo's blown our minds with its lilliputian tech. The WiFi dongle, you have to admit, was pretty sweet. What can we say about the 5mm Thumbkey drive? For starters, it's really small. And it has a 16GB capacity. And it''ll cost you about $136 when it goes on sale (any day now). Sure, that's a tad pricey for a device that lacks gears and rubies -- but did we mention how small this thing is?

[Via OhGizmo!]