Patriot Memory Rolls Out Autobahn Ultra-Portable Flash Drive

[btarunr]

Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash storage and enthusiast computer products today announces the availability of the new ultraportable Autobahn USB 2.0 drive. Designed for those looking for excellent USB 2.0 performance and high capacity in a micro sized form factor, the Patriot Autobahn is less than 18mm in length and becomes barely noticeable when plugged in.

Car audio enthusiasts can now rock their tunes with ease. The Autobahn is plug-and-play compatible with stereos that support USB connections for hours of music playback, without the hassle of plugging in an external player. The Patriot Autobahn is available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities to take all your data with you in and ever increasing mobile world.



The Patriot Memory Autobahn is compatible with Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Linux 2.4, Mac OS9, OS X and is backed by Patriot Memory's 2-year warranty.

"With a capacity up to 32GBs, the Autobahn is the perfect USB storage extension to any laptop or compatible car stereo", said Meng Jay Choo, Patriot Memory's Product Manager. "The Patriot Autobahn is one of the smallest USB 2.0 form factors to date; you can literally plug it in and forget about it."

The Autobahn is available now in major worldwide channels with an MSRP of $11.99 (USD), $16.99 (USD), and $24.99 (USD) for the 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities.

Key Features

• Hi Speed USB 2.0 Compatible (backwards compatible to USB 1.1)
• Easy plug-and-play functionality
• Compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Linux 2.4 and later, Mac OS9, OS X and later
• Portable and light weight (4 grams)

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Jack1n]

Thats impressive.

 

[Sir Alex Ice]

What is impressive is the pretense of offering a high speed USB flash, without stating it's speeds or at least making it USB 3.0

 

[btarunr]

USB 3.0 is irrelevent with car consoles.

 

[Sir Alex Ice]

USB 3.0 is very much relevant with marketing and transfers from USB 3.0 enabled laptops and desktops.

 

[stratosrally]

It's called the Autobahn - and he mentions using it in a car. They can keep it less expensive by sticking with USB 2.0, and with the smaller size it would be easily lost.

I'd be much more annoyed by losing a tiny USB 3.0 device - these are almost disposable at those MSRPs (might be notably cheaper at various resellers). I do like the fact that it's the same size as a Logitech Unified Receiver - you could also stick it in a laptop or tablet for more tunes on the go.

They'll probably come out with 3.0 version soon enough... Similarly, the recent LaCie PetiteKey came out in USB 2.0 only.

For playing music & transferring music files - 2.0 seems fast enough... (IMHO)

 

[btarunr]

They're made tiny because they'd otherwise look ugly sticking out of your dashboard.

 

[Random Murderer]

I don't understand all of this hate for it being 2.0 and Patriot not stating transfer speeds. This is a purpose-built flash drive. Even USB 1.1 has fast enough transfer speeds for 320kbps CBR in stereos/mp3 players. With 32GB or even 16GB, you won't be pulling the drive out of your car to put music on it very often, so it won't kill you to wait a few extra minutes for the data transfers. Frankly, $25USD for a 32GB drive this size is great.

 

[SaltyFish]

Wow... this beats PNY's tiny USB drives. It's not bad for general use, but a 64 GB option would've helped a bit towards that end.

I think this USB 3.0 whining is becoming a thing.... like how 1080p is "high-resolution".

 

[THE_EGG]

I love it, I wonder if my little hinged cap thingy in my car will close over it so no one can see it from the outside. Still deciding whether bluetooth stream from phone or using this USB would be best. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for one of these.

 

[Sir B. Fannybottom]

When I first saw those types of USB wireless receivers I couldn't wait until someone made them into flash drives.

 

[3870x2]

So instead of making it stupidly small and 32GB, lets make it normal sized (or thumbnail sized) and 128/256GB?

 

[de.das.dude]

about frickin time if you ask me. we have micro SD cards with 64GB capacities!

 

[3870x2]

about frickin time if you ask me. we have micro SD cards with 64GB capacities!

Yeah, but this is a USB drive so small an ant could carry it off.

 

[de.das.dude]

the only difference b/w a memory card and a usb drive is that the memorycard is only the memory chip, no write/ read circuitry. and the jack.

IMO, they should make a drive with just the plastic portion of the jack, with the plastic portion enclosing all the stuff. and it should have a small thread to pull it out with.

 

[Random Murderer]

the only difference b/w a memory card and a usb drive is that the memorycard is only the memory chip, no write/ read circuitry. and the jack.

IMO, they should make a drive with just the plastic portion of the jack, with the plastic portion enclosing all the stuff. and it should have a small thread to pull it out with.

It's been done before.

Obviously that's a little larger than you're talking about, but I had(possibly still have?) one exactly as you described in a 512MB capacity that was given to me along with some other goodies for going to an AMD/Microsoft tech gathering in '07. It stuck out of the USB port just far enough to have a string or lanyard tied to it, the rest of the drive was completely concealed inside the USB port.
Off topic a bit: the AMD/ATi guy fielding questions wasn't too happy when they had just gotten done showcasing the 3850 and 3870 and I stood up with the mic in my hand and asked how they were going to fix the problem with the overheating(in some cases catching fire) power section on the reference 3850s. If looks could kill, lol.

 

[newtekie1]

I've seen MicroSD readers exactly like this design years ago, so this isn't that impressive.

Edit: It seems Buffalo has had drives this size since 2009: http://www.techpowerup.com/?97627 And they have had an microSD card reader that is the same size as well: http://www.techpowerup.com/101143/Buffalo-Revamps-Nail-Sized-USB-Drive-with-Card-Reader.html

So, yeah, not that impressive. Patriot is about 3 years late here.

What is impressive is the pretense of offering a high speed USB flash, without stating it's speeds or at least making it USB 3.0

You realize "Hi Speed" is the name of the USB2.0 standard, that is why it is listed in the spec, right?

And at this point the speed is likely limited by the USB2.0 standard. So listing it wouldn't make much sense.

 

[3870x2]

Or this. Extremely useful, make your own thumb drives!

 

[segalaw19800]

That work for me .