DRIVE ON A STICK – JAMES BOND WATCH
We've come a long way when it comes to
transporting computer data. I remember using something called a floppy
disk to do that. Of course, a floppy only holds a paltry 1.4 megabytes
of data. Some computer makers no longer include a floppy drive as
standard equipment and Apple hasn't had a floppy drive for years. You
can use a Zip disk but there's no assurance the other computer you
wish to read your data will have a Zip drive either. One viable option
is burning it to a CD. You can be sure the other computer will have a
CD drive. The downside is burning a few megabytes to a whole CD can be
wasteful unless it's a rewritable CD or a multisession disk. A
multisession CD allows data to be added incrementally in more than one
recording, so that more files and directories can be recorded until
the disk is filled. But carrying around a CD can be awkward as it
won't easily fit into a pocket. But there is another solution to your
data transportation woes.
A USB Drive is a solid-state memory device
that's around the size of a car key. You can even hook it on your key
ring. It contains no moving parts and uses flash memory to hold
information. Flash memory is computer memory that does not require any
electrical power to maintain what it has stored. Flash memory is
commonly used by today's digital cameras so that pictures are retained
even if the batteries die. The most popular Flash memory types are
CompactFlash, SmartMedia and Sony's MemoryStick. All of these wafer
thin devices require a special receiver designed to interface and
transfer data to and from these devices. From this concept has emerged
the USB Drive, a stand-alone flash memory device that does not need a
special slot. It plugs directly into any USB port that's found on most
of today's modern computers.
The USBDrive from JMTek (www.usbdrive.com)
is available in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and 2GB storage capacities,
and comes in a USB 1.1 and 2.0 version. Simply insert the USBDrive
into any Windows or Macintosh system's USB port and you will see a
drive appear on the desktop. You can open and access it as you would
any other drive. The "Professional" version adds compression and
encryption for added capacity and security. The Xtreme Weather Proof
model offers outdoor protection with its hermetically sealed casing.
 Now
it seems this technology has spawned a variety of interesting portable
storage designs. JMTek's newest MelodiStik ($129.99) is a stand alone
USB drive that can store MP3 songs and display the currently playing
selection on its tiny LCD screen. Just plug in the included headphones
and use the included neck strap to wear the MelodiStik around your
neck to enjoy your MP3 audio files independently of your computer.
Songs can be transferred to and from the MelodiStik by inserting it
into the computer's USB port. This amazing little unit even has a
built-in microphone so that you can directly record voice notes into
the unit for playing or transferring to your computer.
 The
other notable twist to the USB drive is the USB watch. The Mega Memory
Watch from Xonix actually conceals 32 megabytes of built-in flash
memory into which you can transfer any computer data. This James
Bondish timepiece looks just like an ordinary analog face watch with
an attractive black dial, white numbers and hands with a sweep second.
And yes, it really does tell the time. In fact, it doesn't even look
like one of those stereotypical high-tech kind of watches. But
recessed into the watch strap are a cleverly disguised USB plug and
cable. Both the cable and USB plug are flush to the watch band's
surface and appears to be part of the strap's decorative styling.
Pulling on the plug releases it and the cable which stay connected to
the watch. Just plug the watch cable into any USB port and you're
ready to transfer any computer data, be it word processing documents,
MP3 files, audio information, or secret plans to the missile base.
The Xonix Mass Storage Watch sells for $59.95,
works with Windows and Macintosh computers and is available from The
Gadget Alert at
www.egadgets.com. |
