Hands-on: intelliPaper redefines the disposable world of USB drives

Do you own more than two USB flash drives? What do you do with extra sticks you'll never touch again? With intelliPaper, promotional USB sticks can be recycled, reused, and mailed without the bulk of physical plastic drives.

Last I counted, there are at least 15 USB flash drives scattered across my desk. We get them when public relations companies send over review units, at press events, or as swag at industry parties. If USB flash drives became currency one day, technology journalists would be the richest people in the world.

But they’re not. Flash drives are a way for PR companies to consolidate information into a compact package so we can pay attention as we try a new product, instead of taking spec notes. Unfortunately, after the article is said and done, the USB drive goes back into a drawer where many of its cousins reside, never to be touched again. It’s a waste of plastic and perfectly good technology.

To combat this uneconomical practice, Andrew DePaula and team have invented the intelliPaper. At first glance, it looks like your average cardboard paper with silver prints at the end. But tear this perforated edge out and stick it into your computer’s USB slot and you have a functioning, flash drive. It’s an ingenius response to the increasing use of USB technology in a recyclable, disposable way. And in turn, we no longer have to feel guilty for hoarding little plastic drives.

The intelliPaper team sent over a press kit to visualize how practical paper USBs can be. In it, we find a university pamphlet with a detachable intelliPaper strip at the bottom for more information, a postcard, and a few business cards. There’s also a stone-shaped reader that connects to your computer via mini USB cord if you’re uncomfortable with jamming a cardboard strip into your drive. These sample applications allow companies to provide additional information without the bulk and waste of plastic, and customize them in a practical and effective manner.

“We’ve been selling the product to a handful of companies since April. These are real projects that companies paid us to do,” DePaula tells us. “Right now, the samples are read-only, but there’s no reason anyone like yourself can’t get them and do whatever you want.”

With his Indiegogo project freshly launched, he aims to create a version where people can write their own files to the drives and print them on pamphlets or business cards of their choice.

The secret to intelliPaper’s design is to strip a traditional USB drive to its core. DePaula did away with the bulky plastic housing and embedded the same silicon flash memory in the paper, thus creating a paper-thin USB drive.

In our initial use, we found intelliPaper quite intuitive. For disposable, one-time-use purposes, intelliPaper is an excellent way to curb manufacturing costs on drives. Not that there is a mobility issue with USB drives, but flattening it to the thinness of paper also makes it mailable in a regular envelope. Why is this important? Let’s be frank: People are curious. Even if you don’t care about the info kit that was sent to your house, if it comes with a paper USB, you’d at least want to stick it in your computer and see what’s up.

That’s not to say intelliPaper doesn’t have some problems left to resolve. In rare instances, intelliPaper managed to instantly boot me off my computer upon USB insertion – a problem DePaula guesstimates to be my MacBook’s older version of Mountain Lion. He also notes that my case is the first he’s ever heard of intelliPaper’s bugs, and the team is working hard to resolve any possible glitches. “There’s some [Mac] update that makes our product not work. It just doesn’t show up on your screen even though the system hardware shows it recognizes the flash drive,” he says. “We’ve made some changes to keep the product up to date, though why it didn’t work in the first place is still a mystery.”

One could argue that all this could be resolved if we just resorted to Web addresses. But the truth of the matter is, USB drives – outside of their storage utility – have become a way for companies to advertise and reach new audiences. Although the drives are still somewhat expensive at the Indiegogo funding of $100 for ten 8-32MB drives, like any new product, the price should go down with scale. The possibilities seem infinite. When those days come, the only plastic USB drives I’ll own are the ones I actually want, use, and need.

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iPhone 5 unboxing and hardware hands-on

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No unboxed iPhone 5 exits. Or is it, if an iPhone 5 is released and no body unboxes, does it really make a dent in the universe? Whatever. New iPhone. Gadget porn. Deal with wit it.

If you want to see absolutely everything included in the new iPhone 5 box, including the old AC adapter, new Lightning cable, old SIM-card tool for the new nan-SIM tray, a short how-to guide and some interesting EarBuds -- and of course the sleek, sexy Vader-black, aluminum and glass iPhone 5 itself, hit the video above and enjoy!

Rene Ritchie

Editor-in-Chief of iMore,co-host of Iterate and ZEN and TECH podcasts. Cook, grappler, photon wrangler.

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More of: Unboxing, Iphone 5, Hands-on, hardware tour ? PreviouslyiPhone 5 vs. Luxury Watch - Can Apple be used in the same breath as names like Panerai, Omega, Rolex and Bell & Ross? Next up ?iPhone 5 camera review There are 28 comments. Add yours. cheechoz818 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:24 pm - 2 days ago

Apple is on there way out! Thank God for Android and Samsung!!
This phone just goes to show you that Apple just can't keep up with the game anymore!!!

Reply forever29 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:37 pm - 2 days ago

Their*

Reply cheechoz818 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:43 pm - 2 days ago

Sorry if your life is revolved around correcting peoples spelling errors, but I'm sure you understood what I meant.

Reply forever29 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:44 pm - 2 days ago

That wasn't a spelling error.

Reply cheechoz818 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:49 pm - 2 days ago

It feels nice to talk behind a wall does't it, it makes you feel alive for once?

Reply forever29 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:50 pm - 2 days ago

I ask the same to you.

Reply cheechoz818 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:58 pm - 2 days ago

All I did was give my opinion on the phone, and you had to be a wise ass with your comment!

Reply angermeans says: Sep 22, 2012 at 4:01 pm - 1 day ago

Opinion? It sounds more like a subjective ignorant fanboy rant that was worded as fact. Do you like wasting your time telling people your worthless opinion just to get a rise? Every iPhone release you see this and every iPhone release Apple blows the doors off of previous records it owns from the past years iPhones. You sit here and talk out your ass while apple laughs all the way to the bank.

You get upset when someone corrects your grammar, but sit here and flame an all Apple users blog?

Reply EmersonDona says: Sep 21, 2012 at 10:15 pm - 2 days ago

Watching this on my iPhone 5 :) http://Fox46.com

Reply ctm194 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:32 pm - 2 days ago

cheechoz818 it's funny you say that... Apple comes out with one phone a year and it destroys the competition even though not much has changed aside from LTE and a bigger screen. Main fact, regardless of what apple does, people will buy it. Why you ask? The iPhone is solid in every aspect. I think you're mistaken as sales for this device will blow away any samsung device or anything powered by android.

Reply cheechoz818 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:41 pm - 2 days ago

Not being a fanboy of either Apple or Samsung, but why is it that I have an iPhone and an S3 and all my iPhone is doing is collecting dust!

Yes i bought an iPhone 4S, but after getting an S3 i realized how awesome an experience with a phone can really be!

Reply BKING2911 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 8:08 pm - 2 days ago

So why aren't you writing on and S3 blog site fandroid.

Reply ctm194 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 8:08 pm - 2 days ago

I'm not an Apple fan boy either. The only Apple product I own is a 4s. For you to say that Apple can't keep up with the game anymore is what I'm getting at. As sad as it may be, they don't have to do much to their devices and people still flock to them. I feel that no matter what Apple comes out with, consumer response will be the same, and sales will be through the roof. You have to admit that Apple's market presence is amazing regardless of how few items they release each year.

Reply 9thWonder says: Sep 21, 2012 at 11:00 pm - 2 days ago

maybe you're Mitt Romney with money to waste.

Reply angermeans says: Sep 22, 2012 at 4:15 pm - 1 day ago

I used to feel much the same way as you (albeit never for a TouchWiz device) and left the iPhone for Android years ago and haven't looked back until now. It started with the Nexus One (still the best phone I've ever owned) and until I got the retina iPad I had no desire for iOS. Since then I've gotten a 4s and have even stopped using my Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7 (as you said collecting dust?). It's as simple as this to me. The attention to detail that apple has is unmatched by any other company. Period. It screams in everything you do with an apple product. From the hardware, polish of the software, apps, and even the un packaging. It is quality and apple simply cares about their customers (even the iPhone 3GS got iOS 6 on day one. That simply doesn't happen on android even on the Nexus class device). The only reason I'm taking the time to comment to your blatant flaming is that it goes both ways. I'm happy the GS3 is great for you (I took it back after 3 days). Why are you so threatened over the iPhone 5 especially to have to come here and preach nonsense. Even the iPhone 4 hasn't been matched in hardware and attention to detail and tat was years ago. Plastic phones just doesn't cut it. Why do you think Samsung copies everything apple does? One doesn't do that if they are the best in class. The entire industry waits on apple to make a move and then plans their next moves especially Samsung.

Reply cc3d says: Sep 21, 2012 at 8:55 pm - 2 days ago

McDonald's sells a hell of a lot more Big Macs than Ruth's Chris sells Filet Mignon. So, Big Macs are better than Filet Mignon.

Reply bbpandy says: Sep 22, 2012 at 2:43 am - 1 day ago

+1

Reply jukie says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:32 pm - 2 days ago

Great, thanks! Were you eating a powdered donut during the unboxing?

Reply cheechoz818 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:47 pm - 2 days ago

No glazed.

Reply mark1965 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:39 pm - 2 days ago

Awesome. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait for my contract to expire in June 2013. So, possibly iPhone 5s (or 6) for me and my 4s will go to my daughter.
iOS6 is great. Siri is even better.
I hear complaints about maps, but seriously. It's still been great. And hands free telling Siri to give me directions home (or directions to a contact) is huge. Can keep my eyes on the road instead of fiddling with Navigon or Garmin.

Reply Jamess9046 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:43 pm - 2 days ago

Watching this on my iPhone 5 :)

Reply Keneo says: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:44 pm - 2 days ago

For Gods sake Rene, don't show this video to anyone else.
iPhone sales will plummet.

(filthiest iPhone 5 I have seen to date. Totally ruined the un-boxing experience for me)

Reply bbpandy says: Sep 22, 2012 at 2:45 am - 1 day ago

yea what's with all that dust on the "New" iPhone?
Did a sandstorm go through the Apple store while you were buying it?

Reply bruce.abbott2 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 8:49 pm - 2 days ago

It's all dusty, Rene! Still can't wait to get mine though.

Reply cc3d says: Sep 21, 2012 at 8:49 pm - 2 days ago

unboxing videos, Samsung, Apple, HTC, whatever, is the gheyest thing in the world. "Totally ruined the un-boxing experience for me" Really? Ruined? Unboxing, at best, is a thrill to whomever is actually un-boxing their new item. Anybody getting a thrill watching it really needs to go outside.

Reply Samboo96 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 9:05 pm - 2 days ago

Gosh~!!! I soooo want this phone !!=((

Reply philbert81 says: Sep 21, 2012 at 9:18 pm - 2 days ago

Amazing geek porn.

Reply TFausett says: Sep 22, 2012 at 5:58 pm - 1 day ago

Drool........ Can't wait to read your review Rene

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