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Custom-made Luke Skywalker USB drive is impressive. Most impressive.
In response to an Engadget Japan post entitled "Cruel Star Wars USB drives," one incredibly talented reader went ahead and one-upped the entire collection with a custom made Empire Strikes Back Luke Skywalker drive. All you need to know is that the USB input is accessed by severing his hand. Search your feelings, you know this to be awesome. [Via Engadget Japan]
Sonic brings CinemaNow films to flash drives, connected devices
We can only hope that the travesty that is slotMusic isn't coming over to the film side, but just days after Disney announced its intentions to offer up major motion pictures on microSD cards, Sonic Solutions has stepped in to bring CinemaNow flicks to USB flash drives. Unlike you'd probably think this would work, Sonic has actually developed these to function in more than one place. Each stick contains a movie along with an integrated media player and the necessary video codecs, but aside from enabling users to play back content locally, there's also the option of catching it remotely. Once connected to the 'net, owners can add the title to their Roxio CinemaNow Digital Locker to access it on network-connected Blu-ray players and HDTVs. If all goes well, the first drives will start showing up in Q4 of this year, just in time to puzzle your young ones when they unwrap their favorite film on something other than a round disc.[Via HotHardware]
Kingston unveils 256GB thumb drive for well-heeled memory fiends
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
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]
IronKey boasts 'world's most physically and cryptographically secure' thumb drive
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.
Modder places USB flash drive in Atari 2600 cart, amuses geeks world o'er
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]
Ned Kelly thumb drive for the bushranger in your life
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]
Crapgadget: 'Gee... thanks?' edition
If you need a flash drive or USB hub there are many useful and, more to the point, tasteful options out there. But if you want to saddle a hapless co-worker or relative with a silly, embarrassing, or just plain crapulant gag gift suitable for the current technological moment? Look no further than the following assortment of crapgadgets. Your illustrious Engadget eds have hand-picked a wonderful assortment of devices tailor-made to evoke awkward responses at office birthday parties and the like. So, without further ado...Read - No Green Thumb Required: USB Fever 4-Port Flower Pot HubRead - USB Airplane Hub with built-in fan Read - Robot USB Drives would make a cute gift Read - USB Artillery HubRead - USB Octopus Hub%Poll-31510%
Solid Alliance's $10,000 Mnemosyne USB drive is built for style, not convenience
The Greek goddess of memory, Mnemosyne, would surely be proud of this product bearing her name. For starters, it comes at a price few mere mortals can afford and is couched within an extravagant all-aluminum body. The puzzle cube certainly provides a ceremonial feel to accessing the data within, and makers Solid Alliance are pitching it as a luxurious receptacle for your most treasured memories. Yes, under all the sheen, you are still looking at 16GB of standard issue flash memory, but can we really put a price on mythology-infused style?
Buffalo's 16GB 5mm USB Thumbkey: It's really small
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!]
Rocky III USB drives sadly missing Burgess Meredith version
Remember how awesome Rocky III was the first time you saw it? Come on, we know you were pumping your fist along to Survivor, you don't have to be shy about it now. Well, you can relive the well-toned glory that is Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa, and Clubber Lang in flash drive format, for only ¥2,850 (about $30) -- essentially a steal. Wait, where's Thunderlips?Via Geeky Gadgets
Edge Tech announces cheaper 128GB USB flash drive, still not very cheap
Kingston got all the bragging rights by rolling out the first 128GB USB flash drive but, with that business now out of the way, other companies are now free to try to one-up 'em, and Edge Tech looks to be among the first to take a crack at it. While it does away with some of the added security and ruggedness of Kingston's offering, Edge Tech's latest DiskGO drive does match that magic 128GB storage capacity, and you will still get a seemingly durable aluminum housing, along with some basic encryption software for a bit of extra protection. Most importantly, however, Edge Tech's drive is more than $150 cheaper than Kingston's. Unfortunately for you and us, it's still $390. Look for it to start shipping on July 31st.
Kingston rolls out 128GB DataTraveler 200 USB flash drive
Feeling a little wistful for the old days when USB flash drives costs hundreds of dollars apiece? Then you may want to pick up Kingston's new 128GB DataTraveler 200, which is apparently not only largest drive of its type to date but, at $546, one of the most expensive as well. In addition to that added storage space, that hefty price will also buy you a fairly rugged drive with a capless design, plus some built-in password protection and the usual Windows ReadyBoost capabilities. Of course, if you don't need that extra space, you can simply pick up Kingston's 32GB or 64GB drives, which run a slightly more reasonable $120 and $213, respectively.[Via Test Freaks]
Penguin USB drive is infinitely cute, hilarious
It's not like we haven't seen slightly funny / interesting / unorthodox USB flash drives before, but there's just something about a headless penguin hanging from a USB port that gets us chuckling. Available in 2/4/8/16GB capacities, the simply titled Penguin drive even gives a portion of its proceeds to the World Wildlife Fund, providing you with even more reason to cave to the urge and pick one up. This little fellow's up on Amazon right now for $12.95 to $42.95.
Mechanical Memory Key stores your data with the precision of an Antide Janvier timepiece
Listen up, steampunkers: Have you been having a hard time finding an appropriate USB thumb drive to wear on a gold chain next to your pocket watch? Artype's 16GB Mechanical Memory Key is a handcrafted beaut, with materials that include Purpleheart for the case and twenty-six rubies. When this device is drawing USB power it glows green from beneath the gears, taking you back to your days as a hacker during the reign of Queen Victoria. Sadly, the device pictured above has already been sold, but at $165 a pop we're sure this particular artisan has plenty more of these guys in the works. Two more glamor shots for you after the break.[Via Boing Boing]
Transformers USB flash drive is ready to ravage your files, bring carnage to your desktop
Sure, you already have piles of flash drives scattered around your apocalyptic nightmare of an apartment, but this one's more special than those, right? Because it's a Transformer-- Ravage, AKA Tripredacus Agent. Ravage has outlived the age of cassette and is onto smaller, better things, and he can store up to 2GB of your most valuable data. He's going to run $42.99 when he's available in September, and can be pre-ordered now.Update: It looks like the pre-order is already sold out! Wonder if the fact that we ordered 1,000 of them has anything to do with it?[Via Coolest Gadgets]
Ennova announces USB drive with OLED screen / fingerprint scanner
It's still a little ways from an actual release, but it looks like the folks at Ennova Direct just couldn't help themselves from announcing that they've received a patent for a newfangled biometric USB flash drive that packs a built-in OLED screen. Even better, that OLED screen apparently actually doubles as the fingerprint scanner, which may not add much extra in terms of security, but should be good for at least a few gee whiz moments. The actual patent, however, isn't for that bit of convergence, but for the sliding mechanism that covers the screen when it's closed and pops out the USB connector when it's open. No word on pricing or capacities just yet, but it looks like the first few drives should be available under the ION Technologies brand sometime in the first quarter of 2010.[Via OLED-Display.net]
Rusted Steampunk USB Drive offers 4GB of storage, free tetanus infection
Steampunk mods are becoming rather more prevalent these days as tech-addled creative types reject modern sensibilities and revert to a non-existent, whimsical past. The latest such escape is called "Rusted Steampunk USB Drive - no.2," a follow-up to an earlier, slightly less rusty object d'USB. It appears to be built around a 4GB SanDisk Cruzer drive, augmented with weathered, laser-cut hunks of metal. The curvy flourish on the front says "You probably shouldn't put this in your pocket," while the dueling swordfish on the back say "I survived a trip to Rapture and all I got was this corroded chunk of storage." Yours for $40.[Via Geeky Gadgets]
LaCie DataShare recycles your bits, will never say goodbye or hurt you
As gadget nerds and Type-A early adopters, you no doubt have a few microSD and SD / SDHC cards laying around that Cheeto-farm you call an office. LaCie's $10 DataShare USB card readers let you recycle those cards into make-shift USB drives. Not bad for a ginger. Watch the uncomfortably arousing video after the break -- go ahead it's safe, LaCie wants you to.[Via Pocket-Lint]
Crapgadget: No wonder the economy sucks edition
While we here at Engadget are doing everything in our power to get this philosophical "economy" back "on track," it's items like these that aren't doing anything to help. No innovation. No stimulating capabilities. No utility at all, really. Just a webcam that scans business cards, an MP3 player shaped like a cow and a flash drive that's absolutely not certified for circulation by the Democratic National Committee. Though, we must say that they're all tailor made for Crapgadget, which is (just barely) good enough for us -- drop your vote for the lamest below! Read - CowCow MP3 player Read - 4-Port Soccer Ball USB Hub Read - MSI StarCam Flip Webcam Read - USB Bird Fan Read - Bling Bling USB Card Reader Read - Obama Flash Drive %Poll-29537%
