Measuring USB storage has long since passed Floppy disks and the larger varieties can hold more than a data CD, but the trusty USB storage has taken another direction as illustrated by the Philips Key019. First we had MP3 playing USB sticks, then cameras and now Philips bring us MPEG 4 video capture in a USB key, the 128mb Key019 can record up to 25  minutes of MPEG 4 video.

Now its not small and Philips say its half the size of a mobile phone, well they aren't kidding it is a good half size and does weigh 60 grams, so don't expect it fit nicely on your house keys, but then it is a camcorder, albeit it one with no zoom or other major controls but a pretty neat gadget all the same.

The magnesium body is strong and capable of taking a few knocks, the battery seems to last a good while and it can recharge from any USB port once plugged in, there is also the option of adding an external battery pack. Driving the Ky019 is via a slim LCD panel built into the viewfinder, this lets you view the simple menu and also playback / view captured video and images. The Philips Key019 also doubles up as a 2 mega pixel camera which can store up to 200 images.

There are a few other tricks to the multifunction key too, the Philips USB store can hold and replay MP3 files and the unit is supplied with headphones which have an inline remote control form easy use when its tucked away in a pocket. Then it can act as a good old USB store plugging into any widows machine and those above Windows 98 won't even need a driver as the plug and play software will take care of mounting the Key019 as a drive.

As always you could say that this is not a good digital camera, or not a god camcorder, or its too big for USB storage but that is missing the point the Philips Key019 is a jack of all trades and is a pretty cool gadget which any gadgeteer would love as a gift. Retailing @ £155 it's good value for a gadget with so many functions.

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