New portable computing platform delivered on USB drives will allow users to launch and operate special applications and personal workspace on host PC.
A new breed of USB drives were unveiled today which promise to provide more of a smart mobile computing experience. Powered by a company known as U3, these USB smart drives will be initiallyavailable from Kingston Technology, Memorex, Sandisk and Verbatim on Oct. 15. The U3 smart drive concept, the company explained,hosts special U3 smart software applications, computer settings and data. This allows people to carry their “personal workspace” with them and access it on any PC. The applications areactually launched from the drive, cleaning off all personal information from the host PC when the drive is removed. A variety of applications will come either pre-loaded on the drives oravailable for download at U3’s website. These applications include AOL’s Winamp media player, Cerulean Studios’ Trillian instant messaging clientand Skye’s VOIP software. “Computing will never be the same after today’s launch. This will mark the first available plug-and-play way for consumers to carry and access theirpersonal workspace without having to lug a laptop around," said U3 Chief Executive Officer Kate Purmal. "Whether on the home or office PC, computer at a family member or a friend’s house,hotel business center, print shop or Internet café, consumers will enjoy the ability to check e-mail, edit a document, view photos, play a game, listen to music from their playlist or surf theWeb – all in a safe and trusted environment that’s completely mobile and all stored in just one place."
