Verbatim to Use U3 Platform to Make USB Smart Drives That Move Applications and Data to Any PC

U3(TM) and Verbatim(R) Limited announced today that Verbatim will use the U3 platform to make a new type of USB flash drive. Called a USB smart drive, these devices enable consumers to carry all of their personal computer settings, applications and data for use on any PC. Verbatim Store 'n' Go smart drives will allow people to carry their "personal workspace" wherever they go. The new U3-powered Verbatim smart drives will be available this year throughout Europe as well as the United States.

Since its beginning in 1969, Verbatim has been at the forefront of the evolution in data storage technology. Today, more than 30 years later, Verbatim remains one of the most recognisable names in the data storage industry. Verbatim is a leader in the development and marketing of high-quality products for storing, moving and using digital content.

"As innovators in this field, we at Verbatim are able to sense the potential of new storage media and be among the very first to bring new technologies to the end user," said Simon Keighley, USB and flash product manager of Verbatim Europe. "That's why we are so keen on the U3 platform for the creation of USB smart drives."

"People will love the ability to work on any computer as if it were their own," said Kate Purmal, chief executive officer of U3. "Imagine being able to securely access all of your applications on a USB smart drive while at the store, visiting an office, or on vacation. You could shop online, play a game, or work on a spreadsheet and email it to your colleagues -- no matter where you are. U3-powered smart drives from Verbatim will enable this kind of convenience and productivity."

U3 has developed a platform for manufacturers to license, and is assembling a community of developers who support the U3 platform by creating applications that will work on all USB smart drives. The U3 platform includes three components. U3's hardware specification gives manufacturers the core technology to build their smart USB flash drives. The U3 software developer kit includes sample code, a standard set of application programming interfaces (APIs), and thorough documentation. The U3 Launchpad is a friendly graphical user interface that is used to access and run applications.

About Verbatim
Verbatim Corporation, a Mitsubishi(R) Kagaku Media Company, is an international organisation that develops and markets innovative, high-quality products for storing, moving and using digital content. Known for its leadership in the removable storage media and related accessories markets, the company provides reliable, unique technologies and products that are highly sought after and broadly distributed worldwide. For more information, visit www.verbatim-europe.com.

About U3
U3(TM) LLC of Redwood City, Calif. has developed an innovative platform to make USB smart drives that host a "personal workspace" -- not only data and files, but software programs, personal user preferences and the means for managing them. U3-powered smart drives transform a PC into a truly personalised computer, quickly, easily and securely, and exit transparently when done. U3, backed by USB flash drive market leaders M-Systems (Nasdaq:FLSH) and SanDisk(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK), licenses its platform to USB drive manufacturers. For more information see www.U3.com.

Contacts
Johnson King Public Relations (for U3)
Claire Ayles, 44 (0)20 7357 7799
clairea@johnsonking.co.uk
or
Verbatim Europe
Emma Scholes, 44 (0)1784 896233
Escholes@verbatim-europe.com
Simon Keighley, +44 (0)1784 896226
skeighley@verbatim-europe.com

Author:  

Email:    

Topic:    

Content:

Related Articles

• Integrated Remote Access with Online Storage
  10 March 2005