Sigh. Yet another company under the foolish impression that you have to stick an “i” in front of something to make it cool. Which is a bit of a shame really, because this is sort of cool :-
What it is, is an encrypted USB memory stick but unlike most others, this one does not rely on software. You enter the appropriate PIN code on the built in pad, and the storage is unlocked. With everything built into the stick there are a number of advantages :-
- It’s a lot simpler. There’s no special software to run to decrypt and encrypt a special file on the memory stick.
- Because it’s simpler, it’s harder to make mistakes – there’s no chance of accidentally writing unencrypted data to the stick – don’t laugh, it happens!
- Also because it’s not based around a software package, there’s no platform limitations – it’ll work fine with all the odd platforms you can find out there – Linux, Android devices, PS3s, old Unix workstations (if you can find a USB hole to plug it into), etc.
However it’s not perfect :-
- There’s concern about how long the keypad will remain reliable for. It should be more than reliable enough, as normal keyboards are reliable for millions of key strokes, and this keypad may well be more reliable (it’s simpler).
- Because the PIN is only effective whilst the memory stick is “mounted”, it may require a lot of PIN entries when used in certain ways – such as a bootable device.
- Entering the PIN whilst the memory stick is attached may be tricky; it might be better used on an extension lead. Although it’s possible to enter the PIN whilst disconnected, this doesn’t seem natural.
- Given the environment that most USB sticks live in (i.e. pockets or handbags), there is a concern that moisture, dust, or fluff could work itself into the casing and interfere with the workings. However the case that fits over the keyboard seems to fit quite well including a rubber seal that should help.
One thing that came as a surprise when I first got it was that it has a re-chargeable battery which seems a touch odd until you realise that some operations can only take place when this stick is not connected. This includes changing the default PIN code, and of course this numbskull took an age to realise that you cannot set the PIN code when it is connected to the computer!
Once that was sorted out, it took very little longer to have a properly working USB stick. It works very much the same as any other USB stick except that when it becomes “unmounted” (I use this under Linux) it refuses to act as a USB memory stick until the PIN is re-entered.
Physically it is on the larger size of what is sensibly carried around in the pocket, but obviously could not be much smaller without making the keypad smaller than it is. Whilst usable, any smaller and the current keypad would become very awkward to use for those with larger hands (such as me).
Long term robustness will have to wait until it has been in my pocket for more than a week. However so far, the following observations have occurred :-
- The paintwork of the external casing (the cover for the stick itself) may not be especially robust as a few scratches have already appeared.
- The wire loop for attaching to a keyring feels a little flimsy, but perhaps that is because the expectation is for a key ring rather than a loop of wire.
- The mechanism for unscrewing the wire is a little fiddly.