USB Flash drives to carry portable applications
USB Flash drives will soon be used for more than storage purposes following plans to transform it into a product that can carry, store and launch applications and data on any PC anywhere.
M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers and SanDisk Corporation announced the creation of the U3 platform at the Consumer Electronics Show 2005.
There has been a lack of standardisation with USB flash drives in the past, which has hampered the use of these drives beyond storage. However, consumers who buy U3-compliant USB drives will now have the ability to take the U3-compliant applications with them wherever they go.
These drives will contain a Launch Pad desktop interface to simplify viewing, launching, downloading and managing all U3 compliant applications stored on the devices.
Eli Harari, SanDisk's president and chief executive officer, said: "U3 creates a new, open, standard that will take the USB flash drives from the simple storage devices they are told to portable devices that are empowered by rich applications, harnessing the creative energy of a multitude of independent developers.
"This platform will dramatically increase the value of USB drives to consumers and developer alike. SanDisk and M-Systems intend to strongly support and promote the U3 platform creating what we hope will become the U3 Economy."
U3 aims to build a community of software developers by providing access to a large and growing base of U3 enabled devices. It plans to provide developers with ongoing support including development tools, business and technical support and a web-based distribution channel where millions of users will be able to buy and download U3 applications.
Joe Unsworth, an analyst for Gartner Inc., talked about the advantages of this news: "Software applications for flash drives have been largely developed for proprietary devices with limited markets opportunity. Without a standard, developers were lacking key features to enable mobility and robust security, lacking multi-vendor interoperability, and lacking open, standards-based development tools.
"Creating a unified standard for USB drive application development will fuel innovation and foster cross-vendor compatibility."
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