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Does the world really need another flash drive?

Steve Conaway Labs Manager / Senior Technical Project Manager
I am the Labs Manager for CNET's Home Division based in Louisville, KY. My interest in technology began in the early '90s, and soon after I began my double major in computer science and computer engineering. I've worked in many areas, including computer hardware, software, technology, networking, graphic design, instruction, construction, music and even ballroom dancing! 65% Ron Swanson, 25% Ben Wyatt, 10% Andy Dwyer.
Expertise I've been an outdoor enthusiast my entire life. I also renovate, flip and build houses in my 'spare' time. Paired with our test lab facilities, I write about lots of outdoor related things - portable power stations, tools, etc.
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Steve Conaway

Verbatim is laying hopes for a successful launch of its new flash drive on the product's unusual design and pretty colors. The 16MB FlashDisc is a rewritable flash drive that's shaped like a disc and is roughly the size and shape of a mini CD. A protective plastic cap on the FlashDisc swings away to reveal a USB 2 connector.

Why would the world need another flash drive when there are flash drives available in the 512MB to 4GB range? Verbatim brought this 16MB drive to market in spite of the availability of flash drives with more storage capacity. Apparently, the low cost of the device is expected to drive demand.

FlashDisc
Credit: Verbatim

The product will be available in April, sold in multicolored three packs at an MSRP of $19.99. The cost of a pack of drives is roughly equivalent to a large pack of diskettes.

This cost-effective media is priced low enough that you wouldn't feel bad leaving one of your flash drives behind with a friend or customer. They're great for someone who would have needed a floppy disk to transfer files, since floppy disks are going the way of the 8-track.

The Verbatim FlashDisc doesn't need any special drivers to work because it uses the same technology that a USB flash drive uses. The unit weighs around a third of an ounce. It's 2.35 inches in diameter and 0.35 inches high.