Computers

So small you'll forget it's there: the MosKeyto flash drive from LaCie

So small you'll forget it's there: the MosKeyto flash drive from LaCie
LaCie has revealed a tiny USB flash drive that's been designed to be plugged in and forgotten about
LaCie has revealed a tiny USB flash drive that's been designed to be plugged in and forgotten about
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The MosKeyto protrudes from the USB port by only 6mm
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The MosKeyto protrudes from the USB port by only 6mm
The 0.83 x 0.63 x 0.4 inch MosKeyto flash drive from LaCie
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The 0.83 x 0.63 x 0.4 inch MosKeyto flash drive from LaCie
The nylon strap and protective cap of LaCie's MosKeyto USB flash drive
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The nylon strap and protective cap of LaCie's MosKeyto USB flash drive
Up to 16GB of storage is available on the tiny flash drive
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Up to 16GB of storage is available on the tiny flash drive
LaCie has revealed a tiny USB flash drive that's been designed to be plugged in and forgotten about
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LaCie has revealed a tiny USB flash drive that's been designed to be plugged in and forgotten about
The nylon strap and protective cap of LaCie's MosKeyto USB flash drive
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The nylon strap and protective cap of LaCie's MosKeyto USB flash drive
View gallery - 6 images

While LaCie's new tiny flash drive certainly shares some characteristics with the bothersome insect with a similar name, it's safe to say that the MosKeyto is a very different beast altogether. Sure, they're both lightweight and very small and you may have difficulty seeing them in certain lighting. But whereas the high-pitched buzzing from one is usually followed by some serious irritation, bytes from the other are actually a good thing. Available in storage capacities of up to 16GB, with extra online storage included, the MosKeyto has to be one of the smallest USB flash drive's around, doesn't it?

Okay, it's not the thinnest USB flash drive I've seen. The slimmest I've been able to find is Kingmax's Super Stick Mini at 0.07-inch (2mm), followed by Transcend's JetFlash at 0.09-inch (2.4mm) and then Sony's MicroVault Tiny at 0.1-inch (2.7mm). But none of those products feature a full-size USB 2.0 plug and still manages to squeeze up to 16GB of flash storage into 0.83 x 0.63 x 0.4 inch (21 x 16 x 10 mm) dimensions.

The nylon strap and protective cap of LaCie's MosKeyto USB flash drive
The nylon strap and protective cap of LaCie's MosKeyto USB flash drive

LaCie's MosKeyto flash drive is designed to be plugged in and forgotten about, having similar port presence to those tiny transmitters now accompanying many wireless input/output peripherals. The company's Alexis Kobassian said: "While the MosKeyto has resemblance to a bug, this USB key is far from pesky. It provides high capacities in a low-profile connector, allowing you to insert it into your notebook and forget it."

The drive comes in capacities of 4GB, 8GB and 16GB, although the product page doesn't show the 16GB version at the time of writing. LaCie has also included an extra 4GB of Wuala secure online storage with every purchase. And the MosKeyto is shipped with a nylon strap and protective USB cap for those times when it's necessary to move it between computers or carry it around on its own.

Up to 16GB of storage is available on the tiny flash drive
Up to 16GB of storage is available on the tiny flash drive

The MosKeyto USB flash drives are available now, prices start at US$17.99

View gallery - 6 images
5 comments
5 comments
Dave Brumley
I like the idea of the MosKeyto, except for the fact that it steals a USB port. If it had pass-thru capabilities, that would be great.
Mark in MI
Finally a small size SHORT jump drive that doesn\'t stick out to get broken. Like they say, plug it into your laptop & forget about it. But yes, I wonder why all the pass through USB devises failed to appear. It seems sooo logical, but I have never seen one.
Anumakonda Jagadeesh
Very good innovation.

Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
Facebook User
I\'ve been looking for something like this for a readyboost drive. And I too, want passthrough.
Gregg Eshelman
I want to see an ExpressCard SDHC reader that can hold a card with nothing poking out of the slot. My laptop has an ExpressCard slot but no SD reader.