We have already introduced to you the DRAM memory modules from the Taiwanese PQI company in our Memory section. Like most other Taiwanese memory makers, PQI have also gone into the flash memory business. And these are not just regular flash drives, I should say…

According to the company news, they are about to start shipping the world’s largest USB flash drive that is no bigger than your credit card in size:

The drive is marked as U510 and boasts 16GB of storage space. The price and the shipping schedule for this solution haven’t been revealed yet. But judging by the current cost of flash chips, we can assume that they will set the price tag for U510 somewhere between $500 and… $2000. Is the wallet-size storage device worth this money is totally up to you to decide. By the way, the device is 85mm x 54mm x 3mm. It is not the world’s thinnest USB flash-drive (OCZ has recently announced a 2.8mm thick Mini-Kart), but it is by far the one with the biggest storage capacity.

USB 2.0 connector moves forward and looks like a thin contact pad, so the overall design of this solution is truly fine and remarkable. In the end of last year we have already told you about the first credit card sized USB flash drives. However, the USB connector of those models was a continuation of the drive case, which slightly spoilt the exterior design. All in all, the new PQI solution is pretty attractive.