Keychains do the job they're meant to do perfectly adequately. But is there a better way of carrying keys and other small objects? Tamir Bar-Ilan and Kobi Hazum from Las Vegas believe there is, and that it comes in the form of Panny.

Panny has been designed mainly to replace traditional keychains, with four slots for keys. Each slot is universal and can hold a single key of varying sizes. It's made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), weighs just 22 grams (0.05 lb), and comes in a choice of colors. Panny can also be customized, with a slot for a USB drive, a belt clip and a tether for securing other objects.

The creators of Panny believe their product is better than a keychain for several reasons. Not only is it stylish and comfortable, but Panny keeps keys organized and accessible thanks to raised labels and/or color coding. The practical reason that Panny stands out is how it prevent keys from either scratching valuable objects or tearing through pants.

The first production run of Panny is currently being funded through Kickstarter. A pledge of US$19 will reward buyers with a Panny, should the product hit its funding goal of $15,000 and go into production. This includes shipping within the US, with international shipping carrying a $6 surcharge.

The Kickstarter campaign video below shows the creators of the Panny discussing the product, as well as a short history of how it came to be made.

Sources: Kickstarter, Panny

Update: The Panny reached its Kickstarter funding goal and the team says the device is now available for pre-order through their website.

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