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Zip Zip offers up USB flash drives within Lego blocks
We're not particularly sure if Lego is actually getting a cut on these newfangled USB flash drives, but an Australian firm is offering up said storage options within Lego blocks nonetheless. The Zip Zip Memory Bricks will be available in black, white, red, blue, green, and yellow here shortly, and all house 1GB of storage and sport USB 2.0 connectivity. Additionally, a nifty lanyard allows you to attach your new 31- x 15- x 10-millimeter drive to your key ring, and while the A$59 ($48) pricetag may seem a tad high for just 1,024MB, you know the diehards can't resist picking this up to go alongside their Lego LaCie HDD.
1GB Nike shoe USB flash drive disregards trademark
While we've seen the swoosh used on questionably licensed apparel before, we're fairly certain that a one-off Japanese e-tailer isn't selling a svelte Nike USB flash drive before the company itself with due permissions in place. Nevertheless, users can (well, for the time being, at least) pick the 1GB training shoe USB drive for their Mac or PC, and while it doubles as a keychain or hangs on tight to your Kensington lock port, the real utility is stored beneath the toe. Admittedly, it doesn't look half bad (click through for more proof), but we'd recommend plopping down your ¥2,480 ($20) real quick like before the legal teams return on Monday.[Via EverythingUSB]
Microsoft and SanDisk team up on U3 replacement
The U3 standard for machine-independent applications isn't exactly an aging one, but it seems that Microsoft and SanDisk have found some room for improvement, announcing today that they've teamed up to create a "new experience" for USB flash drives and memory cards. According to the two companies, the new technology will expand on and replace U3, and will let users carry their full personal computing environment (including their familiar interface) with them in addition to a few applications. As with U3, you also supposedly won't have to worry about anything being left behind on the computer after you unplug the drive. You'll have to get by with the standard U3 drives for a while longer though, as the new and improved version won't be rolling out until the second half of 2008, with the first such drives coming, naturally, from SanDisk.
Memorex Poker Chip USB flash drive knows when to fold 'em
While the poker sharks in the crowd are probably elated about the recent WSOP in HD news, we're going double or nothing with Memorex's Poker Chip Flash Drive. This 1GB device sports a design that any chip stacker would appreciate, and aside from giving you something to flip between your nervous fingers when pondering a fold, it also includes "software to play Texas Hold 'Em right from your PC." Additionally, a blue LED lights things up when data is being accessed, and while we're not exactly sure how much you'll have to wager in order to claim one as your own, they'll be situated in Target stores by the end of the month.
WiebeTech's Mouse Jiggler USB stick prevents sleep
We've certainly seen crafty methods of keeping humans from dozing off when alertness matters most, but WiebeTech's latest actually does a number on your exhausted computer by refusing to let those power savings settings kick in. The admittedly clever Mouse Jiggler rocks a diminutive USB design, and once plugged into your Mac or PC, it takes over your motionless cursor and shakes it all across the screen, effectively denying the machine its heartfelt wish to fall asleep when idle. Of course, this may not do the average user a whole lot of good, but for those locked-down corporate workstations that frustrate IT heads on end by dozing off just before a download / installation is complete, here's your hero. Notably, the Mouse Jiggler comes in "Fast" and "Slow" flavors to suit your cursor-dementing needs, and each can be snapped up right now for $29.95.[Via MetaFilter]
Kingston unveils flash storage vending machine in UK
We wouldn't recommend hopping on the next non-stop flight to London Gatwick Airport's North Terminal or anything, but for those passing through in dire need of an extra SD / CF card or USB drive, Kingston's got your back. Joining SIM cards, iPods, digicams, shoes, and all sorts of other bizarre goods, Kingston's self-branded vending machine will doll out presumably overpriced flash memory to travelers in need. Reportedly, New Jersey-based MyMemory will be operating the machines, and of course, they will all be open 24/7 for your late night (and mid-day) flash storage requirements. Interestingly, the UK units will supposedly utilize the oft hacked Chip & PIN technology, which means the countdown to gobs of free memory (and a high-speed police chase) has officially begun.[Via EverythingUSB]
SolidAlliance coughs up 1GB of USB Horse Mackerel
Mmmm, nothing says "I'm a dangerous loner" like plugging a SolidAlliance USB anything into your PC. At least this time, the USB Horse Mackerel Sushi nudges SolidA's novelty flash drives just beyond the free tradeshow schwag range -- 1GB if you must know. But if storage was your primary interest you'd be spending your ¥7,980 or $68 elsewhere.[Via Impress]
Pretec unveils waterproof i-Disk RFID flash drive
No question, vendors are constantly throwing out those "world's smallest" bits in a halfway futile attempt to wow consumers who simply don't know any better than to continually fall for it, but for those even mildly in tune with yesterday's news, they know better. Pretec's latest in the i-Disk Diamond series claims to be the "world's smallest," but measuring in at 45.7- x 12.2- x 2.2-millimeters, it simply can't be true without some sort of fine print stipulations. Nevertheless, the i-Disk RFID differs from most USB flash drives by sporting a rugged, waterproof enclosure as well as a built-in RFID tag, which should work wonders in tracking where your employees carry the company's precious data until they find a way to circumvent The Man. While we won't be the first to recommend a Big Brother-enabled thumb drive without a sound reason, these strange sticks will hit the market for a currently undisclosed price in Q2 and range from 128MB to 1GB in capacity.[Via Gadgets-Weblog]
SanDisk rolls out Cruzer Contour USB flash drives
It looks like SanDisk is trying to class up its ever-expanding line of Cruzer USB flash drives, unveiling its shiny new Cruzer Contour at CES. Slide open that glossy black exterior and you'll find an handily hidden USB connector, doing away with the need for a pesky and losable cap. Otherwise, the drive's pretty standard as far as flash drives go these days, with a promised write speed of 18MB/sec and a read speed of 25MB/sec, as well as full adherence to the U3 standard for running apps directly off the drive (Skype, Avast, and a handful of other programs come pre-loaded). The drive's upscaledness also extends to its storage capacity, with the lightest in the batch coming in at relatively hefty 2GB, and the others in the group doubling things up to 4GB and 8GB -- all should be available sometime in March for $90, $150 and $240, respectively.[Via Photography Blog]
Sony announces 007 Micro Vault USB drive
Looking to leave no corner of your gadget bag untouched by its license to cash in, Sony is following up its Bond-themed laptop/digital camera bundle with a 007-branded Micro Vault USB drive. Available in only a 1GB model (Q would definitely not approve), the drive sports a sleek piano black finish and comes pre-loaded with the Casio Royale movie trailer, as well as four 1,920 x 1,080 Bond-related wallpaper images. Other than that, however, it's a standard Sony flash drive, with the trademark retractable USB connector and Virtual Expander compression software to squeeze as much data as possible onto the drive. No word on how much of a premium it'll cost you over a regular Micro Vault, if any, but it should be available sometime before the movie's premiere later this month.[Via Photography Blog]
SolidAlliance's $850 MOTTAINAI USB drive: 2GB of flash
Oh hell yeah! One-upping their own lurid kitsch, SolidAlliance just introduced this ¥100,000 ($850 plus), MOTTAINAI USB flash drive. Obviously, at 2GB it's not about capacity here, this gold and brass drive is a salute to ostentatious pomp with embedded Statsuma Kiriko crystal. Make them crystals spin Solid-A and we might pop for a few ourselves. Now come on dear readers, admit it, which one of you designed it?[Via Akihabara News]
Transcend's 16GB JetFlash USB flash drive
In addition to that 4GB SDHC card announced earlier, Transcend is also slipping us a big ol' USB flash drive today. Their 16GB JetFlash drive shares the stylings of their 8-gigger but doubles the capacity and increases read/write times to an impressive 25/20MB/s. Yeah, as usual, Transcend is not the first to reach 16GB, but at least they've arrived. Well almost anyway, 'cause without a ship date or knowing if this drive will sneak in for under a grand we just don't know how to feel right about now. Why you gotta treat us that way Transcend, why?[Via Impress]
The BCD-rockin' USB Smart Flash Drive
Sure, this flash drive isn't covertly disguised as a teddy bear or housing an exceedingly capacious 64GB of storage, but it does have one thing going for it: brains. The aptly-named USB Smart Flash Drive apparently does a little thinking of its own while holding tight to your precious data, and conveys that knowledge via the Bi-stable Cholesteric Display. Although it proudly touts itself as the "world's first smart flash drive," we (and Corsair) would certainly beg to differ. Nevertheless, a little BCD competition never hurt anyone, and this rendition boasts a sleek, black enclosure, 11 character customizable display, on-the-fly readouts of megabyte usage (both numerically and graphically), LCD read / write indicator, write protect switch, and USB 2.0 connectivity. Coming in 256MB (£27.99; $53), 512MB (£29.99; $57), 1GB (£64.99; $123) and 2GB (£74.99; $142) flavors, these bright (ahem) flash drives are available now to keep you posted on just how much (or little) info you're toting.[Via Red Ferret]
USB pendant magically locates lost objects
You are getting sleepy, very sleepy. You eyelids are slowly drooping, drooping down. You have seen your fair share of USB flash drives, but this 256MB USB pendant from Solid Alliance is certainly a first. In addition to acting like a plain old storage device, the pendant promises to help you find your lost items just by loading photos of them onto the drive -- which admittedly could prove a bit challenging since the object is, well, lost. You then simply hold out the pendant and let it lead the way. You will not question its dubious efficacy, and you can get one for ¥9,800 (that's $85 US). When we snap our fingers, you will wake up feeling refreshed,and unaware this occurred.[Via Engadget Japanese]
