This keychain USB key is waterproof to 100 metres and can survive going through the washing machine, claims Lacie.
LaCie's iamaKey was designed to go on a keyring to make it easier to carry around at all times (this writer often goes out without his mobile phone, but never without his keys), but it was a little long for comfort.
The company has now release the PetiteKey, which is very similar in size to a regular door key, getting around that problem.
It is also waterproof to 100 metres, and LaCie claims it can survive going through the washing machine.
Available in three capacities - 8GB ($12.99), 16GB ($19.99) and 32GB ($35.99) - the PetiteKey includes encryption software to keep your data safe if you do lose the device, plus a matching amount of storage on Wuala, LaCie's cloud storage service.
Many small business people use thumb drives as a convenient way of taking backup copies of their most important files home overnight.
There are plenty of ways of achieving offsite backup (a practice we strongly recommend, especially if it is completely automated), but a lot of us like the 'security blanket' feeling that comes with keeping a physical copy close at hand.
