USB drives are a necessity for just about everyone, and there are a number of cute and fashionable ways to secure your USB, but recently USB drives, as well as other computer componets, have begin to not only become more intriguing, but more fashionable.
The Swarowski Heart Beat USB takes on a dual role as fashion accessory and storage device. The actual storage device is nestled in between two sides of a stainless steel heart-shaped pendant, one half of which is set to sparkle with Silver Shade crystals set in Cerulian. Just imagine storing all your memories within the sparking 1GB device. This new romantic gesture of the computer age will set you back though, at $178.
Swarowski is a company better known for its crystal than its computer gadgets, but its newest product marks a trend in more fashionable computing devices. Gone are the days of the big yellow plastic monitors. More and more companies are seeking to combine the fashion aesthetic and the computing demand.
“Digital Jewlery” has it has been dubbed by IBM, is another interesting concept on the computer-fashion table, taking Swarowski’s USB pendant to the next level. Instead of simply storing information, IBM’s goal is to make complete computing more pervasive by putting all the components of modern computers or PDAs into fashionable jewelry pieces. Ideas include microphones in necklaces, speakers in earrings or ear cuffs, and rings with track points. Getting a little too small? There’s even a bracelet with text entry capabilities and a small screen.
The question arises; is this another stage of the ever-evolving market of smaller and more pervasive computing, or is it simply a more fashionable way to do what we’ve always done? Imagine all those unwieldy cell-phones and all the energy they use instead reduced to a small silver teardrop in your ear, not unlike the headpieces already on the market. Would people be more willing to use devices with a more appealing aesthetic? IBM hopes so.
I for one find digital jewelry a great way to get quicker news without the unappealing notion of carrying your laptop with you. But this technology is still at its start, in time the range of motifs for this idea is sure to grow.
I am an junior English major/ Philosophy minor at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently I am spending the spring of 2009 studying at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland.
This is a really good idea, I would not buy until the price comes down a bit but I think people will like this idea.
I am not sure if I would buy this. But I would not even consider it until the price went down
I really thought it is a watch when I first saw the picture. I am surprise to know that it is a USB. The gadgets are getting smaller.
I think that I will be waiting for the price to go down a bit.
I think that there would be people that would be in the market for something like this. I think it is a unique idea but I don’t care for the shape of the ring.
I’m just hoping that something like this could never be imitated by those people who wants some quick bucks.
Just a thought, why should I bring a USB all the time with me?
You don’t have to have a USB with you all the time if you don’t want to but it is very handy for students and for many other people who use more than one computer.
This would be great for students. But it would definitely have to come down in price. I could see my nephew liking this product.
Have any of you clicked on the link to the Swarowski Heart Beat USB…?
Go take a look, it’s gorgeous.. that is the one that is expensive.. But it is jewellery.. the idea being that you put stuff like romantic music, photos etc on it and give it to your loved one.. Like a locket with a lock of your true love’s hair… but for the computer age.. I want one!
Stav I clicked on the link as you suggested but it is not my sort of thing and it is not my sort of price! I like the wrist band better.
I love the looks of this ”digital jewelry,” but it is much too expensive for me. Maybe if the price came down I would consider buying it.
LOL! to be honest, tt’s not my sort of price either, but it is still very beautiful