{"id":25780,"date":"2012-04-13T22:02:44","date_gmt":"2012-04-13T16:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=25780"},"modified":"2026-10-15T13:11:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T07:41:51","slug":"moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/","title":{"rendered":"Credit Card USB Flash Drive: Moser Baer Zap and Wallet Drives Today"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A <strong>credit card USB flash drive<\/strong> is a pen drive shaped like a bank card, thin enough to slip into your wallet. In April 2012, Moser Baer launched the Zap, billed as India&#8217;s first credit card shaped USB flash drive. This article recalls the Zap, what happened to Moser Baer, and what to look for if you want a wallet-sized flash drive today.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-66992\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/credit-card-usb-flash-drive-2026-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Credit card USB flash drive guide card\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/credit-card-usb-flash-drive-2026-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/credit-card-usb-flash-drive-2026-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/credit-card-usb-flash-drive-2026-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/credit-card-usb-flash-drive-2026-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/credit-card-usb-flash-drive-2026.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> The Moser Baer Zap was a 4 GB or 8 GB USB 2.0 flash drive the size of a credit card, sold in India from 2012. Moser Baer later went into insolvency and was sent for liquidation in 2018, so the Zap is long gone. Card-shaped flash drives are still widely sold, but they are usually slower than standard drives, so pick one with USB 3 support and consider encryption if you carry private files.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af656ce09fb3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af656ce09fb3\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#Moser_Baer_Zap_the_wallet_flash_drive\" >Moser Baer Zap: the wallet flash drive<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#Zap_specifications_2012\" >Zap specifications (2012)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#What_happened_to_Moser_Baer\" >What happened to Moser Baer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#Buying_a_credit_card_USB_flash_drive_today\" >Buying a credit card USB flash drive today<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#What_was_the_Moser_Baer_Zap\" >What was the Moser Baer Zap?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#Can_I_still_buy_a_Moser_Baer_Zap\" >Can I still buy a Moser Baer Zap?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#Are_credit_card_USB_drives_slower_than_normal_pen_drives\" >Are credit card USB drives slower than normal pen drives?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/moser-baer-zap-credit-card-size-usb-flash-drive\/#Is_it_safe_to_carry_a_flash_drive_in_my_wallet\" >Is it safe to carry a flash drive in my wallet?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Moser_Baer_Zap_the_wallet_flash_drive\"><\/span>Moser Baer Zap: the wallet flash drive<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>How many times have you bought a pen drive that was hard to carry and impossible to fit in your wallet or cardholder? Moser Baer set out to change that with a flash drive the size of a credit card.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/credit-card-flash-drive.jpg\" alt=\"Moser Baer Zap credit card USB flash drive\" width=\"200\" height=\"162\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As flash drives got smaller, almost everyone wanted one handy for frequently used documents and files. Around that time I had started carrying a keychain flash drive with my car keys, and it was a really handy idea. But keys are often picked up by family members, and a keychain drive can easily fall into the wrong hands, putting private data at risk.<\/p>\n<p>The wallet is the accessory people guard most closely, so a credit card shaped USB flash drive seemed like a great idea. Moser Baer, then a big name in Indian optical discs and flash memory, liked to experiment with drive sizes and shapes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Zap_specifications_2012\"><\/span>Zap specifications (2012)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Capacity: 4 GB and 8 GB<\/li>\n<li>Weight: about 10 g<\/li>\n<li>Interface: USB 2.0, plug and play on Windows and Mac<\/li>\n<li>Warranty: two years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happened_to_Moser_Baer\"><\/span>What happened to Moser Baer?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Moser Baer was once famous in India for blank CDs and DVDs and for its very cheap Hindi movie DVDs (see how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/07\/moser-baer-crashes-hindi-movie-dvd-prices-below-1-in-india\/\">Moser Baer crashed movie DVD prices<\/a>). As discs gave way to downloads and streaming, the company ran into deep financial trouble. In 2018 the National Company Law Tribunal sent it for liquidation, as <a href=\"https:\/\/businesstoday.in\/current\/economy-politics\/fate-of-2280-workers-hangs-in-balance-as-nclt-liquidates-moser-baer\/story\/282961.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Business Today reported<\/a>, and its products, including the Zap, disappeared from shops.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Buying_a_credit_card_USB_flash_drive_today\"><\/span>Buying a credit card USB flash drive today<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Card-style flash drives are now common, often sold as promotional gifts or business cards. Before you buy one, check these points:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Speed:<\/strong> many card drives are still USB 2.0 and slow. Look for USB 3.0 or later if you copy large files.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Connector:<\/strong> most use a fold-out USB-A plug. If your laptop or phone only has USB-C, you may prefer a dual-connector drive.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Durability:<\/strong> thin plastic hinges can wear out; metal cards last longer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Security:<\/strong> a wallet can be lost too. For private files, use a hardware-encrypted drive or encrypt the files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Good places to start on Amazon:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/credit-card-usb-flash-drive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\"><strong>Credit card USB flash drives<\/strong><\/a>: wallet-sized drives in plastic and metal.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/encrypted-usb-flash-drive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\"><strong>Hardware-encrypted USB flash drives<\/strong><\/a>: PIN-protected drives for confidential data.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/dual-usb-c-flash-drive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\"><strong>Dual USB-C and USB-A flash drives<\/strong><\/a>: for newer laptops and phones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For more fun shapes, see our list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/12\/strange-usb-flash-drives-on-amazon\/\">unusual USB flash drives<\/a>, and learn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/01\/how-to-format-usb-pen-drives\/\">how to format a USB flash drive<\/a> before first use.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_was_the_Moser_Baer_Zap\"><\/span>What was the Moser Baer Zap?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A credit card sized USB 2.0 flash drive launched by Moser Baer in India in 2012, in 4 GB and 8 GB versions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_still_buy_a_Moser_Baer_Zap\"><\/span>Can I still buy a Moser Baer Zap?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Moser Baer was sent for liquidation in 2018 and the Zap is no longer sold.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_credit_card_USB_drives_slower_than_normal_pen_drives\"><\/span>Are credit card USB drives slower than normal pen drives?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Often, yes. Many use USB 2.0, so check for USB 3.0 support if speed matters.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_safe_to_carry_a_flash_drive_in_my_wallet\"><\/span>Is it safe to carry a flash drive in my wallet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It is convenient, but wallets get lost. Encrypt sensitive files or use a hardware-encrypted drive.<\/p>\n<p>Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, QuickOnlineTips earns from qualifying purchases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A credit card USB flash drive is a pen drive shaped like a bank card, thin enough to slip into&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":66992,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gadgets"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25780","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25780"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25780\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66994,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25780\/revisions\/66994"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}