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Technology Hardware

The USB Wristband 245

Posted by samzenpus from the my-hat-is-a-scanner dept.
Enigma50 writes "From the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) comes the world's first USB flash wristband. The uniquely designed Imation Flash Wristband provides an easy way to transport your precious digital files, such as photos, music or videos, securely around your wrist or attached to a backpack. Sure to be a hit with the kids!"
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The USB Wristband More

The USB Wristband

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  • Wow. (Score:2, Interesting)

    by sloths ( 909607 )
    That's useful.

  • The problem (Score:5, Insightful)

    by fredistheking ( 464407 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:23PM (#14397929)
    is that these gimmick flash drives never keep up with the pace of regular vanilla flash drives. 64MB swiss army knife or 32MB usb watch anyone?

    • Re:The problem (Score:3, Informative)

      by JonN ( 895435 ) *
      To be honest I thought it said watch too.

      Also, from TFA: The Imation Flash Wristband holds up to 256 MB of data...

    • Re:The problem (Score:2, Redundant)

      by matt21811 ( 830841 ) *
      Today, you can buy a 256MB USB Watch [google.com.au] without much trouble at all. I dont see any issue with these novelty USB drives being available in reasonable sizes at the time of pruchase.

      The real problem is that the sweet spot for USB drives have acheived an improvment about 80% [mattscomputertrends.com] each year. The means your USB watch seems out of date in only 2 years.

    • Re:The problem (Score:2, Interesting)

      by blueflash2o ( 931322 )
      its 1GB swiss army knife in regular and aluminum also http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/ [thinkgeek.com]
      • Only $160 for a 1G Swiss Army USB Knife?
        Damnnn.

        You can get the 1G flash drive Apple micro ipod (or whatever they call it) for less than that, and it plays music. And everybody will like you, because you will be cool.
        (And everybody knows that Apple charges double what everybody else charges, because they can.)

        Hmmm. If only there was a way to fit those massive 1G flash drives in your pocket, without resorting to that Swiss folding technology.
        • FYI- the 2G Nano is actually $199... Not that it matters. And you can use your iPod as a flash drive to transport files, the only problem is that you have to have iTunes on both machines, you can't just use it like a drive...
          • " FYI- the 2G Nano is actually $199"

            FYI, the 1GB iPod Shuffle (to which the gp was referring) is $129. Which, as he said, is smaller and cheaper.

            Oh, and you CAN use it as a drive without using iTunes.

            I know - I do.
            • Oh I see- I was confused I guess, because the Shuffle is $99 (here in the US).
              How do you use your iPod as a drive w/out iTunes? I haven't been able to make it work with a Nano? any insight would be helpful.
              • Reset the Nano by holding Select and Menu. When the apple splash screen shows up, release both buttons and immediately press select and play/pause. This will put it into "hard drive mode".

                Linky [ipodlinux.org]
              • How do you use your iPod as a drive w/out iTunes? I haven't been able to make it work with a Nano? any insight would be helpful.

                Take your Nano's USB connector, plug one end into the Nano, and the other end into your computer's USB 2.0 port. The Nano's screen should go to the "Don't Remove" screen, and your O/S should have the drive show up wherever drives show up when they are hotplugged (My Computer on Windows, Desktop on OS X, /media directory on Linux).

                That's all you have to do. No additional software
      • its 1GB swiss army knife in regular and aluminum

        I thought it was supposed to now be spelled aluminium? [slashdot.org]

    • Re:The problem (Score:3, Insightful)

      by MikeFM ( 12491 )
      A bluetooth memory thingie on your wrist would be actually useful (for those of us who use bluetooth) but how useful is a watch/wrist memory thing that requires taking it off your wrist to use or leaving your hand chained to the machine while in use.
      • That would be really neat - sit down by your computer, and the drive you wear pops up on the screen!
        • That would be really neat - sit down by your computer, and the drive you wear pops up on the screen!

          ....and autoruns pr0n on your newly issued laptop upon arriving on your first (maybe last) work day.

      • A bluetooth memory thingie on your wrist would be actually useful (for those of us who use bluetooth) but how useful is a watch/wrist memory thing that requires taking it off your wrist to use or leaving your hand chained to the machine while in use.

        I would say very useful, considering that you cannot really operate the computer without sitting down in front of it...?

        Besides, I wouldn't be thrilled about the idea of my data on my wrist being bluesnarfed.

  • Wait for it... (Score:5, Funny)

    by Spazntwich ( 208070 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:24PM (#14397936)
    the only thing dumber than this product will be the lawsuit spawning from some previously unknown IP company suing Imation over their wristband patent.
    • the only thing dumber than this product will be the lawsuit spawning from some previously unknown IP company suing Imation over their wristband patent.
      So you're saying that some unknown company may sue Imation for their USB wristband Imitation? Right...

  • I'm just waiting for the ... (Score:5, Funny)

    by gardyloo ( 512791 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:24PM (#14397937)
    Flash Trenchcoat. Sure to be a hit with the kids.

    Hold on, there's a knock at the door...

    ^H^H^H^H^H

  • USB wristband? (Score:5, Funny)

    by YrWrstNtmr ( 564987 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:24PM (#14397942)
    So?

    USB wristwatch, keychain, swiss army knife, rubber ducky...wake me when someone gets one implanted in their finger.

    And no...not the one that looks like a thumb. An actual finger.

  • 2 points (Score:5, Interesting)

    by JonN ( 895435 ) * on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:25PM (#14397948) Homepage
    Sure to be a hit with the kids!
    Just on that note, the average kid never wanted to look like a nerd from what I remember (suckers). This seems like an object that will probably fly better in the 18-24 demographic, mostly with kids going to university/college.

    Also, I was wondering how secure the band is from falling off. I mean with most USB thumb drives,I could just attach them to my keychain and I was almost certain I would never lose it. With this thing, I would be always checking to make sure it was on my wrist.

    • Re:2 points (Score:5, Funny)

      by miyako ( 632510 ) <miyako AT gmail DOT com> on Thursday January 05, 2006 @12:25AM (#14398209) Homepage Journal
      Hmm, putting a thumbdrive on my keyring might be a great idea. I never misplace my thumbdrive but I couldn't tell you where my keys are right now...
    • average kid never wanted to look like a nerd from what I remember

      TFA finally loaded. This looks less geeky than hanging a UBS drive from a strap around your neck. Actually quite cool.

  • At least it has one key feature...... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by 8127972 ( 73495 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:27PM (#14397959)
    ..... There's no annoying cap to lose.
    • This is probably like the second time I've mentioned this specific device here, but -- apparently you haven't seen something like this [sandisk.com] USB drive
      • Yup. Those are great key ring fobs to be sure. 1-2 GB is actually enough to have all kinds of goodies on there: working OS, portable software, the installs of all of your favorite security software, personal files, and even many mp3s. Most newer PCs will even boot to your thumb drive in case you want to do work via someone else's system instead of lugging around a laptop. To me this means the laptop is dead. I very much prefer robust desktop systems with power out the wazoo and bigger monitors. A 1-2 GB thu

  • LCD watches, back in the '80s (Score:5, Insightful)

    by IvyMike ( 178408 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:31PM (#14397976)
    At some point back in the '80s, the cheap, almost disposable, LCD watch was perfected. Soon after we were treated to a parade of typical household items...but with an LCD watch in them! Yay! But we soon burnt out on them.

    But don't worry, because now we have a trend of our own: devices with a USB in them?

    What else can we stick a USB drive in? A wristband...why not a headband? A hat! Why not a shoe? How about a toothbrush! A novelty toy fish! Etc.

  • You have to be kidding (Score:5, Funny)

    by the eric conspiracy ( 20178 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:32PM (#14397979)
    This is too dorky for even a geek.

    • It's really a wonder that wristwatches ever made it into the mainstream at all. I guess they were simply too useful to ignore, and the culture was different at the time wrt. technology and progress. They never would have been a hit today; they geek stigma would be instant. They're starting to disappear too; I see more and more people without one, just using their phone in stead.
  • I hope this thing is water-proof. I'd hate think that it gets reformatted everytime you wash your hands.

  • I have USB white blood cells! (Score:5, Funny)

    by llamaluvr ( 575102 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:33PM (#14397993) Journal
    I just prick my finger, stick it up to the PC and I'm good to go. Great for downloading virus definitions.

  • one size fits none (Score:5, Interesting)

    by fermion ( 181285 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:34PM (#14398004) Homepage Journal
    The biggest mistake they made was the one size fits all. It would have been a big deal to fit in some accordian type fit. Probably this will work for teenagers and small adults, but not for children and regular adults.

    The other issue is that one must get it on and off with one hand. While opening a closing a clasp on a bracelet once a day might be bearable for many, taking this thing off a few time a day might be unbearable.

    The price is pretty good, and it comes in colors, so i can see many people buying it as a fun thing, and wearing it a few time, but the necklace style seem to have much more staying power.

  • Ok... (Score:5, Funny)

    by gbobeck ( 926553 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:49PM (#14398075) Homepage Journal
    I'm still waiting for a USB buttplug or suppository. This way I can give it to people after I tell them to shove their stupid .doc files up their ass.

    I guess that would put a whole new definition of "pulling a paper out of one's ass"/

  • I'm waiting for the wireless version. (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Myself ( 57572 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @11:51PM (#14398083) Journal
    Seriously, the memory wristwatches are a neat idea, but tethering your wrist to the side of the computer while you move data is not. And removing the watch every time sounds like it would suck.

    With WirelessUSB coming down the pike, and ultrawideband radio boasting some impressive energy efficiency at short range, how long until we see this? For that matter, a Bluetooth version should be possible now, but at 1mbps raw data rate, moving anything but text files would be painfully slow. Hopefully WUSB will make it practical.

    And then we get to worry about security again. :)
    • You must have missed the picture as the site has been slashdotted, however the design is like a handcuff, in that the USB end 'plugs' into the opposite end. Therefore, you will not be holding your wrist beside the computer.
    • I have one of the USB watches made by LAKS [laks.com]. Had it for years. It's not more annoying to take off and plug in than anything on a belt or chain. In practice it's much better, since you don't tend to forget it as easily, and you never lose it (unless you're one of those weird people who loses their watch all the time).

      This article is beyond silly. This product is neither inventive nor useful in my opinion. If I had a USB armband, I would leave it at home (and during the day suddenly swear at myself for having
  • the world's first USB flash wristband
    Not really, what's a wristband but a watch that doesn't tell the time?

  • How to make this cool: (Score:4, Funny)

    by Wilson_6500 ( 896824 ) on Thursday January 05, 2006 @12:10AM (#14398158)
    Wrist crossbow with USB-enabled darts. Shoot an update over to the guys down the hall. Writes once, reads once (more if you're lucky and/or have good aim). It's perfect: violent AND disposable, so everyone wins. Well, except the consumer, but since when has anyone cared about THEM?

  • Finally (Score:5, Funny)

    by realmolo ( 574068 ) on Thursday January 05, 2006 @01:13AM (#14398394)
    Having my porn files on my wrist gets them ONE STEP CLOSER to being truly "interactive".
  • And I was just thinking about how I haven't been beat up since high school. Let me just go pick up some easy to loose, gaudy, piece of crap that looks like my grandmothers arch supports. Unless this thing also comes with a laser I'm not interested.
  • I bet that goes great with that jockstrap on your head....

    2 cents,

    Queen B
  • So what's the big deal? This stuff has been around forever... is it because Imation makes one?

    http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=USB+wristwatch &hl=en&lr=&safe=off&sa=N&tab=ff&oi=froogler/ [google.com]

    Nothing to see here, move along.

  • for Pete's sake, here is the coral cached image! (Score:3, Informative)

    by layer3switch ( 783864 ) on Thursday January 05, 2006 @02:31AM (#14398635)
    Easy to id the image with string for jpg, I figure this is the correct image attached to that item.
    http://www.thetechzone.com/?m=show&id=477 [thetechzone.com]
    hence;
    http://www.thetechzone.com/nephp/uploads/477_norma l.jpg [thetechzone.com]

    Here is the Coral Cache image of that item.
    http://www.thetechzone.com.nyud.net:8090/nephp/upl oads/477_normal.jpg [nyud.net]

    You brute ./ers...
  • Anyone else not getting very excited? USB sticks are totally boring. You can only manage files on them by plugging them into other devices. If you want to share files, you'd better bring such a device. I'll (USB) stick (haha) my files elsewhere:

    Almost every new cell phone model takes some sort of memory card (mine takes up to 2GB), provides a management interface and.. Bluetooth. Tap, tap, click and you're sharing files. No need to lend your precious USB wristband to a friend. No need to bring the laptop to

  • How bad is this thing? (Score:4, Funny)

    by hey! ( 33014 ) on Thursday January 05, 2006 @08:02AM (#14399206) Homepage Journal
    Well, I'm a geek, but I'd fell the urge to kick the shit out of anybody who was wearing one of these things.
  • While I wouldn't be caught dead wearing one, I could easily see people hanging these from their backpacks/laptop bags... With the rubber coating, it looks nice and durable - a quality too often missing in USB drives these days.
  • a gold, GMT Master II, model 16713 specically.

    And my USB drive (1GB thank you) is worn around my neck where it belongs.
  • Vote: -1. "Buy an ad!"

    In what sense, shape, form, or consequence is this news?

  • Some possible uses... (Score:3, Interesting)

    by SloppyElvis ( 450156 ) on Thursday January 05, 2006 @01:20PM (#14401452)
    I have 3 small children, one kindergartner, two two-year-olds. They all run around with little bracelets from time to time (right now, the charity-style rubber ones are the rage).

    1. For small children or the elderly, equip the USB drive with important allergy, medical emergency information, etc. for use in case they are in a serious accident and they or their parents are not able to communicate.

    2. For small children, equip with a program that when inserted into a computer, will "phone" home, possible notify authorities, etc. Could be useful for a child who has been abducted. If it works even a single time for a single child, it's worth inventing. I seem to recall a buffer exploit in USB ... maybe not all exploits are a necessarily evil.

    3. Unfortunately, I couldn't see the sight due to Slashdotting, but the concept could be made into jewelry that has fashion value. I know my wife required a designer laptop purse to compliment her ensemble, and she doesn't always have pockets for little thumb drives and such, so perhaps an attractive band isn't such a bad idea as some detractors in this forum declare. For all you Weisenheimers, she doesn't always take her laptop bag with her wherever she goes, though I admit its rare for her not to have a purse of some kind. Still, ladies can be gadget lovers too, you know. ;)

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