Porsche Panamera owners rewarded with USB drive shaped like... Panamera
Porsche Panamera USB drive – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you're a hardcore Porschephile, then you're going to love this post, because it's about Porsche minutiae that no one else really cares about. Turns out that if you bought a Panamera, you may have gotten an extra gift from Porsche (besides the car). A tipster sent in pics of a package he received that included a knick knack looking just like his Panamera key fob, which itself is shaped like a Panamera. Lo and behold, the doo-dad was not an extra key fob (that would've been nice) but a USB flash drive. We've got no info on what the drive's capacity is or if the thingamajiggy does anything else, but we suspect it's just a marketing gimmick that cost Porsche little in the grand scheme of things.
It got us thinking, though. Since so many keys today are actually keyless, wouldn't it be a great idea for a keyless key fob to actually be a USB flash drive? Not only could you store tunes on it, but such a device could interface with your car's electronics, carry updated maps for your nav system and keep a record of any warning codes. Sure, any old USB flash drive could potentially do these things, but combining one with the key you carry around at all times just makes good sense. We've seen this done before in concept cars, but for some reason the USB key hasn't crossed over into reality yet. Well, our idea is free of charge for automakers to use, so make it happen. The next one, however, will cost ya. Thanks for the tip, Brad!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bud_bud 9:02AM (10/20/2009)
That's actually incorrect information. Here in Kuwait all registered Porsche owners get a USB drive regardless of ownership. We got this drive 3 months ago in the mail. It basically has the Panamera Web Special on there. It has a 1GB capacity.
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FSM 9:04AM (10/20/2009)
Hell, most car manufacturers can't even get with the times by including a USB adapter on their stereos so mp3's can be played on them. Their are even CD players that don't recognize mp3 files. So I wouldn't be holding my breath for such a good idea to come to fruition.
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geo.stewart 9:13AM (10/20/2009)
Yeah, the first I would expect to do this is Scion and I dont think any guys like the idea of carrying a small xB or xD in their pocket.
"Is that a box in your pocket or are you just...ha ha ha I cant finish. I guess you have an xB in your pocket and in your driveway. Just like my grandad."
atomicshark 9:08AM (10/20/2009)
The Panamera USB drive was also given away in gift bags at the NY Auto Show in April.
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DJ 9:08AM (10/20/2009)
Please define "free of charge" for us.
I have seen two Panamera's at dealerships and both were fully loaded Turbo's listing for over $154,000 each. That's not free of charge!
BTW, it's so much better looking in person. I can't believe how wide it is though.
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Moe 9:10AM (10/20/2009)
Having your key fob double as a flash drive is a terrible idea. The last thing I want is a virus on my key fob.
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Yaroukh 9:36AM (10/20/2009)
Almost any car looks much better in person. I have met only one that kinda violated this rule: I just loved it on the photos, in person it was "meh".
Rich 4:24PM (10/20/2009)
It would only get viruses if it worked with Windows.
Your move...
cool_ozzyfromkalush 9:18AM (10/20/2009)
Of all the shapes they picked this...
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eric 9:16AM (10/20/2009)
I received one and I'm neither a Panamera or Porsche owner..
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eric 9:18AM (10/20/2009)
BTW- they are 1gb sticks....
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cancuno (formerly Mike) 9:19AM (10/20/2009)
The key fob looks better than the car
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MK153 9:21AM (10/20/2009)
Umm - are you sure that isn't also a key fob (at least the one pictured)? It has lock, unlock and trunk buttons - why would they include those on a usb drive?
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Bobn01 5:58PM (10/20/2009)
The real keyfob does look like this. My brother is a Porsche tech he just took a class on the panamera and they gave him one of the usb drives. He said the real Fob looks just like it.
mk15 9:22AM (10/20/2009)
A combination FOB/USB that can actually integrate with the car's audio/nav/electornic system would be awesome, but what would happen if someone accidentally uploads a virus?
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eric 9:27AM (10/20/2009)
They are not FOB's, the buttons don't depress. It is very light - just a 1 gb USB stick. I've had mine for 6 months. (they sent me two actually.)
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eric 9:30AM (10/20/2009)
One last thing then I will shut up about it. It's preloaded with a multimedia presentation about the car. Nothing you can't see on the web, but it's there - like a digital brochure.
This content is delete-able so you can have the entire 1GB capacity back after you are done watching the presentation.
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Ross 9:49AM (10/20/2009)
>> Since so many keys today are actually keyless, wouldn't it be a great idea for a keyless key fob to actually be a USB flash drive? Not only could you store tunes on it, but such a device could interface with your car's electronics, carry updated maps for your nav system and keep a record of any warning codes.
In some respects, BMW keyfobs (and, I believe, Mercedes, and probably others) already do that -- not for the frivolous stuff like tunes, but the more important information such as mileage, VIN, oil condition, brake pad wear, etc.
The following is fromhttp://www.bimmex.com/pdf/service_netsoftware.pdf:
The BMW keys have already been storing information for approximately few [sic] years. Since 1998 the chassis number and since 1999 the chassis number, mileage and status of the Service Interval Display is stored. The E65 keys (remote control service keys) store more information, such as check control messages and all CBS relevant data like: mileage, oil condition or brake pad wear and microfilter condition. The key is the "business card" of the vehicle.
(CBS = Condition-Based Service)
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Venom 10:52AM (10/20/2009)
I am going to some special unveiling of the Panamera on Friday at my local Porsche dealership.
Maybe they will be giving these out.
That would be pretty nice.
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J 10:53AM (10/20/2009)
Although this is about the USB thingy I still had to post this. I just sat in a Panamera Turbo (window sticker had it listed @ $156K and change) and I am really impressed. It's a very imposing car, much larger on the outside than I imagined. It's also a good deal roomier inside that I thought it would be. I'm over 6 feet tall and I had plenty of room in the back seat with ample head and legroom. Also, it didn't look as odd in person either. I think it will get more (positive) attention than its competitors and you'll instantly ID it as a Porsche. Dislikes, oddly enough, the key fob ;-) It doesn't fit naturally in your hand making it a little weird when slotting in the ignition (why no pushbutton start? maybe I missed it). But hey, if that's all folks will be complaining about, then they're in good shape.
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