Freecom Unveils 64GB USB 2.0 Key DataBar (£135)

Freecom, a Mitsubishi Kagaku Media, unveiled DataBar, an USB stick with a capless design that is capable of storing up to 64GB of data.

Designed in collaboration with industrial designers Niels in Vorm and EigenID, the Freecom DataBar features a sliding mechanism that enables users to retract the USB connection into the stick when not in use. This concept strikes a balance between elegant design and practicality, eliminating the need for a separate cap to protect the USB connection.

"The whole point of USB sticks is that they are small enough to carry around wherever users go, but with traditional designs it’s easy to misplace the cap when moving a stick around from one place to the other," said Cas de Heus, marketing and communications manager EUMEA at Freecom. "With the DataBar, we have overcome this problem thanks to the capless design – and what’s more, this ‘all in one’ USB stick is as stylish as it is practical."

The DataBar is the first Freecom product to be designed in collaboration with Niels in Vorm and EigenID. Encased in a sleek silver enclosure, the stick is slim, lightweight and easy to slip into a pocket or handbag. Users can drag and drop files to and from the DataBar to exchange, save or share files on any PC or Mac.

For users who need to have their data at their fingertips wherever they are, the DataBar makes sharing files with family, friends and colleagues convenient. Powered by USB port, the stick is USB 2.0 compatible and with up to 64GB of capacity is capable of storing more than 43,000 pictures.

"The DataBar is one of these things you want to take everywhere you go," said Chantal Niels, industrial designer at Niels in Vorm. "The retracting, capless design offers a comfortable grip and the sliding mechanism feels intuitive to use – it really exudes the high quality design that the market expects of Freecom."

Pricing and availability
The Freecom DataBar is available in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities. The RRP is 5.49 GBP, 6.99 GBP, 11.49 GBP, 20.99 GBP, 36.99 GBP and 135 GBP respectively.