Do you have a USB 3.0 flash drive?  And do you enjoy renting the latest movies and television shows?  Well an L.A.-based company called Digiboo LLC will be bringing these two things together.  Digiboo has created a new technology that will allow movie, television, and media consumers to rent films by plugging in their portable USB 3.0 flash drives into kiosks.  Their pilot program launches this January with digital kiosks placed in Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery stores.  If all goes well they will be expanding to airports, colleges/universities, and coffee shops.  

How it Works
You walk up to a Digiboo rental kiosks.  You pull out your trusty USB 3.0 flash drive, stick it in, select your movies, pay the money, and…….you’re DONE!!   The 8 GB flash drives can hold up to four movies.  The rental period expires after 3-days.   ATTENTION:  And for all you people who love to bootleg --- YES, the material is copyright protected by digital rights management technology.

Benefits
Probably the most major benefit of Digiboo is portability.  There are many devices that have USB connections such as computers, newly manufactured TV’s, and mobile devices.   So the odds are you will have a device that can play that movie you want to watch. 

Pricing
Digiboo representatives admit they are not going to beat the Redbox DVD rental prices of $1.00.  The Digiboo movie rentals will most likely fall around $3.50 to $5.50.  However the kiosks will be offering over 1000 movies and television show for the consumers.  Also, the company points out that you will not need to make a trip to the kiosk to return your movie.  So hey, you do save on gas!!  That’s a plus.

Competition
It is rumored that Blockbuster will launching a similar program using SD cards.  Digiboo’s choice to use USB drives I think is a safer bet.  USB is known for being compatible with numerous devices that the average consumer would have in their household.  

Investors
Digiboo already has a famous investor.  You might know him.  He’s only one of the most talented and well-received actors of our time.  I’ll give you a hint:  Lean On Me, Bruce Almighty, Shawshank Redemption  ---  Yes, it’s Morgan Freeman.  Freeman has decided to provide some financial backing and work with Revelations Entertainment partner, Lori McCreary, on this exciting new venture.

Just Me:  I really love this idea.  It’s a practical move to use this technology as we are progressing in the digital technology age.  I see this concept starting out a little slow for now because the average person is not walking around with a USB flash drive in their pocket.   Yes, I have some at home in my office and of course I have some at work on my desk.  But I don’t carry around USB flash drives when heading to the grocery store or when I go to get some gas.   But Digiboo seems to realize this about the average consumer and has chosen to start off in airports and colleges.  That’s smart.  Their target audience should be traveling professionals and young people --- in essence, people on the move.  They are most likely going to be the ones carrying around flash drives.