SanDisk has created a new flash drive, intended for those who need more storage space but in a form that doesn't have to be removed constantly when you are on the go. Their Ultra-Fit 128GB drive is only about 3/4" long (19mm), and once plugged in, is unobtrusive enough to keep in your laptop or tablet full time. The drive has transfer speeds of up to 130mb per second when using a USB 3 port.
The Ultra-Fit 128GB drive is the largest capacity of this particular line, but they are also offering three other compact drives, from 16 to 64GB. SanDisk has also announced a new 256GB flash drive, called the Ultra USB 3.0, though it is not a compact model. The retail price of the 256GB Ultra will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $200.
Both the Ultra and the Ultra-Fit models come with SanDisk's Secure Access software, which will allow you to make encrypted files with password access. The Secure Access software uses 128 bit AES encryption. Both the new drives come with a one year subscription to RescuePro Software, which helps retrieve lost data.
There are only a couple of issues that I can see with the drives. Though SanDisk has stated the drives are currently available, they may still be scarce for a while in retail channels. The other issue is that USB 3 ports are not all that common in tablets, and tablets should be primary targets for an ultra compact USB flash drive.
You can read the SanDisk announcement here.
