# Pencil-Sharpening Thumbdrives Verico Penpal Stashes Virtual Documents and Hones Writing Utensils By Amelia Roblin | Published 2013-04-16 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verico-penpal References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2013/04/15/best-of-a-design-awards-competition-2013/) & [adesignaward](http://www.adesignaward.com/design.php?ID=26298) With the Verico Penpal, there is a marriage of old and new desktop implements. This dual-purpose office supply will serve you, whether you're carrying out work on the computer or putting pen to paper instead. Boasting USB 3.0 technology, the gadget functions as a [flash drive](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandisk-crayola-usbc), with its sleek body sculpted to a narrow cap-less end. This can be inserted directly into a port in your laptop, offering 16GB of storage space. The streamlined [zinc alloy body](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flintone) flares at its other end, opening up and integrating a small blade. Inside this functional [pencil sharpener](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ferfereh), you can place a dull implement and twist it until the tip is as fine as you like it. The multipurpose Verico Penpal is the winner of an A'Design Award. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 20% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Dual-purpose Office Supplies:** Opportunity for creating products that combine traditional and modern office tools to enhance productivity and convenience. - **USB 3.0 Technology:** Potential for integrating USB 3.0 technology into various devices to offer fast data transfer and increased storage capacity. - **Multipurpose Gadgets:** Market demand for versatile gadgets that can perform multiple functions to streamline work and reduce clutter. ### Who This Affects Most - **Office Supplies:** Businesses can explore developing innovative office supplies that combine different functionalities to suit the evolving needs of professionals. - **Computer Hardware:** Opportunity for computer hardware manufacturers to incorporate USB 3.0 technology into their devices, enhancing data transfer speed and storage capabilities. - **Consumer Electronics:** Companies can capitalize on the demand for multipurpose gadgets by creating innovative devices that serve multiple purposes and cater to consumer preferences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vertical Pencil Sharpening Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pencil-sharpener-1.md) - [Performance-Driven Pen Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/p3n-pen.md) - [Electric Pencil Sharpener](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-pencil-sharpener.md) - [Dual-Functioning Mechanical Pencils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-penpass.md) - [Bit-Bearing Multitool Pens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multitool-pen.md) - [Modernized Desktop Pencil Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grovemade-x-blackwing-pencil-kit.md) - [Recycled Plastic Writing Utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mechanical-drop-pencil.md) - [Object-Resembling USB Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandisk-1.md) - [Clipping Pen Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-clippen.md)