Branded USB keys unlock online content

Here's a new twist on an old idea. We've seen USB (and even serial) dongles before that you need to keep plugged into a PC in order for a certain application to work. QiGO LLC has put a spin on that idea and has begun producing USB drives that unlock premium internet content.

The devices are being officially launched at the D5 conference where our own Vincent is today. The first thing I notice about them is that they look pretty cool, not boring like the dongles we're used to seeing. The end of the USB key will have a logo that depicts what type of content it unlocks.

The keys are all unique, so it eliminates the need for a username or a password. This makes it especially interesting for those with younger children. Say you have a youngster that wants to play their favorite game which happens to be online, they would just plug in the USB drive and they would be instantly connected to the game without having to open the browser, type a url or remember a username.

It may sound more like a gimmick than anything, but I could really see these things taking off.

[via Press Release]