The Portable USB Flash Drive

These small devices that slide into the USB port of your PC were first used by techies to help them transfer data from PC to PC or as a security key but with a capacity of up to 1GB and a size small enough to slip into your pocket or clip to your key-ring their use and application is spiraling. Everywhere people are using them: soccer moms keep the snaps of their kitted out juniors on their drives, advertising execs dash to their client’s office with just a USB Flash Drive to knock their clients socks off with the next proposed campaign (all in sound and moving image)! No more burning of CDs or DVDs just drag and drop onto the drive you slip into your PC or Mac port.

Their popularity seems destined to grow. It’s not just about their memory size (although Sony are releasing their USB Pocket Bit Pro disk drive with 2GB) but also the fact that they can be used in other fields. Transcend has a USB Drive with a built in camera that will surely challenge the low-end digital sharp-shooters. Dell is looking to make their version Bluetooth enabled and other companies are turning them into instant WiFi adaptors.

Probably the greatest immediate impact of these drives will be on music. Their simplicity allows them to become the most portable of music-file players (Creative Labs have even released a USB Flash Drive specifically for MP3s). Downloadable music company eMusic has take the concept even further: Rock concert goers can now stop off at a special kiosk on their way out after the show and download the show they just heard!

Rocking!