Introducing the MoH band. MoH stands for “Memory on Hand”; which is a handy little homonym. The concept is pretty simple, but the potential is pretty great.
MoH bands are bracelets with built in USB memory sticks. Currently available in 2GB and 4GB capacity (with 8GB on it’s way) and in a number of different styles. Think the silicone “Live Strong” bracelet, but with a little more to it than just being a trendy fashion accessory.
The Function
The functionality of this band is the core of it’s value. With 25MB file attachment limits to my email account, I find that having a memory stick readily available is often a necessity. Cloud services like Drop Box are nice, but if someone doesn’t use that type of service it’s much easier (and always faster) just to dump files onto a drive. A couple weeks back a co-worker needed the ability to work from home, but she uses desktop computers and needed to transfer files. She asked us in the office to help her remember her thumb drive, and it dawned on me how dependent we’ve become on our floppy disc replacements for even the most basic tasks between machines.
Therein we also find our problem… actually having that USB drive handy. Some people swear that a key chain drive should be sufficient. After losing two different drives off my keys, I call shenanigans on that! Plus, for the few weeks my key chain drives survived on my keys they took up space and made my keys feel bulky in my pocket. This wasn’t a viable solution for me.
I suppose you could keep one in your pocket, but why clutter up a space already dominated by keys, your wallet, your earbud headphones and your phone?
The Form
So it seems like a new design is needed on the market. Something with the aforementioned functionality in a form factor which is portable, convenient and which doesn’t get in the way. That’s the gap that the MoH band is trying to fill.
The idea is brilliant, especially on college campuses and in classroom settings. Make a piece of jewelry which serves this important need, and make it affordable. Check and check, the MoH band looks and performs great!
The number of styles and colors of the band are really quite astounding for a start-up so new to the marketplace. MoH is produced by someone who made it for a classroom project at Babson college in 2010. With over 30 (and counting) designs currently available, if you can’t find a color that you like then you’re just too dang picky and need to get over it.
I have only two criticisms about MoH band, both are about the form factor of the device. When I put my MoH band on, it felt very tight. I’m not a Gaston type of man, and I avoid the gym as much as I can, so I can imagine that if you’re an adult male then you’re probably not going to like the fit. I was able to fasten it, but it left no wiggle room, making me believe that MoH was designed for a younger crowd.
Also, the blocky square where the USB drive is located is rather cumbersome compared with the sleekness of the rest of the band. I felt like I was wearing a barrel collar for a Saint Bernard around my wrist. My wife thought it looked a little like a medical identification bracelet. Of course, we’re not in college so “trendy” and “hip” are adjectives that describe other people, not us.
If I were to redesign this band I’d integrate the drive more seamlessly with a tapered band instead of a square block, and I might make it adjustable or available in larger sizes.
The Final Say
So would I recommend the MoH band? Sure! If you’re a student, I think this is a great accessory. With lots of cool colors I can absolutely see a lot of people wearing one. You can even order customized MoH bands through the MoH website here for promoting your brand, your company, your band, your school, Rick Astley, or whatever really. I’m looking forward to future designs and releases by MoH, and I’ll gladly recommend you check it out to meet your portable memory needs!