i'm carrying a lexar jumpdrive that has PowerToGo Portable Applications Software, that i've used occasionally, but i've actually lost track of that little thing... as far as booting goes I actually prefer cf cards as older laptops will boot off pccard but not usb (usb adaptor for desktops works) but that's just me.
I look forward to trying this out as I ALWAYS have my phone and usb cord with me.