Nov 6, 2007
Sep 28, 2007
Coca Cola USB Can
The Coca Cola USB can doesn’t look as refreshing as the real thing, but will definitely last longer. The USB stick is available in 64MB-2GB sizes, high speed USB and available in silver, blue or red.
Aug 27, 2007
Changes could improve computing
Today I'd like to tell you about a couple of up-and-coming technologies that, while they might not seem to be particularly impactful, are still very cool for the geekier of us, and will affect how computers are configured in the future, not to mention how well they serve you.
The first of these is actually something I've talked about before, but is finally starting to hit its stride. It's the emergence of solid-state memory in the world of computing.
Commonly known as flash memory, you're probably most familiar with it in the form of USB thumb drives, which have become as common as dirt, and flash memory cards, the little chip-like things used in most digital cameras and some camcorders to store media.
I can't really explain the technology, but think of it as using a similar method to the way your computer stores its BIOS, or startup system. It's stored on a chip, and in turn, when you boot your computer, it initiates the primary operating system stored on your main hard drive.
The first of these is actually something I've talked about before, but is finally starting to hit its stride. It's the emergence of solid-state memory in the world of computing.
Commonly known as flash memory, you're probably most familiar with it in the form of USB thumb drives, which have become as common as dirt, and flash memory cards, the little chip-like things used in most digital cameras and some camcorders to store media.
I can't really explain the technology, but think of it as using a similar method to the way your computer stores its BIOS, or startup system. It's stored on a chip, and in turn, when you boot your computer, it initiates the primary operating system stored on your main hard drive.
Jul 27, 2007
The first record label to use only USB flash drives
Small independent record label Superfrothco has become the first record label to release their signings record albums on a flash drive.
It would appear that they are rolling this out right across the companies catalogue, so that any future orders for older albums will also come on a flash drive. This is a unique way of promoting bands, by only using flash drives to get the music out there, it is bound to cause some sort of stir that will get the media interest flowing. This will create hype and lead to sales, great business.
The first artist to get the honour of being the first artist to solely released on flash drive is Jeffery Scott Holland’s The JSH Combo, who is some sort of modern jazz group. His or her album will be released on the 1st September 2007, the album will cost around $10 and has more music on it than on a CD album, and so it looks like everyone is winner.
It is impossible to say at the moment whether or not this will attract customers or put them off, after all there are two sides, those who use mp3, they would love the concept of having an album on flash drive, whereas there are those who like to listen to there music through a music system, preferably via CD, they will not like it at all.
So by using a flash drive for music albums is a great innovative idea, but there is the danger of isolating the artist and record label from the more general music listener. We shall have to wait and see how long it lasts!
It would appear that they are rolling this out right across the companies catalogue, so that any future orders for older albums will also come on a flash drive. This is a unique way of promoting bands, by only using flash drives to get the music out there, it is bound to cause some sort of stir that will get the media interest flowing. This will create hype and lead to sales, great business.
The first artist to get the honour of being the first artist to solely released on flash drive is Jeffery Scott Holland’s The JSH Combo, who is some sort of modern jazz group. His or her album will be released on the 1st September 2007, the album will cost around $10 and has more music on it than on a CD album, and so it looks like everyone is winner.
It is impossible to say at the moment whether or not this will attract customers or put them off, after all there are two sides, those who use mp3, they would love the concept of having an album on flash drive, whereas there are those who like to listen to there music through a music system, preferably via CD, they will not like it at all.
So by using a flash drive for music albums is a great innovative idea, but there is the danger of isolating the artist and record label from the more general music listener. We shall have to wait and see how long it lasts!
Jul 22, 2007
Imation 4GB Nano Flash Drives
Imation India has announced added capacity of up to 4GB for it's Nano Flash Drives.
According to Imation, the 4GB Nano Flash Drives not only deliver the kind of performance and storage capacity needed to manage and transfer digital files, but also come in a very small form factor.
The 4GB Nano Flash Drives feature an all-in-one swivel cap design, and are extremely lightweight and compact -- fitting easily into any pocket or onto a keychain.
Sanjay Koul, country manager of Imation India, said, "Our Nano Flash is an ideal solution for mobile consumers and business professionals. The innovative 360-degrees rotating swivel cap allows for easy access to USB ports in tight spaces, circumventing the need for additional USB cables."
The new drives feature password protection and drive partitioning software for Windows (Windows 2000 and later). With plug-and-play format, dragging-and-dropping of files is easy using a USB 1.1 or 2.0 port.
The Nano Flash Drives do not require any software installations (Windows 2000 and later), additional power supply, or cables. The drives are compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems.
The new drives are available in capacities of 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB at prices of Rs 525, Rs 900, and Rs 1,800 respectively. They come with a ten-year data retention period and a 5-year limited warranty.
According to Imation, the 4GB Nano Flash Drives not only deliver the kind of performance and storage capacity needed to manage and transfer digital files, but also come in a very small form factor.
The 4GB Nano Flash Drives feature an all-in-one swivel cap design, and are extremely lightweight and compact -- fitting easily into any pocket or onto a keychain.
Sanjay Koul, country manager of Imation India, said, "Our Nano Flash is an ideal solution for mobile consumers and business professionals. The innovative 360-degrees rotating swivel cap allows for easy access to USB ports in tight spaces, circumventing the need for additional USB cables."
The new drives feature password protection and drive partitioning software for Windows (Windows 2000 and later). With plug-and-play format, dragging-and-dropping of files is easy using a USB 1.1 or 2.0 port.
The Nano Flash Drives do not require any software installations (Windows 2000 and later), additional power supply, or cables. The drives are compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems.
The new drives are available in capacities of 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB at prices of Rs 525, Rs 900, and Rs 1,800 respectively. They come with a ten-year data retention period and a 5-year limited warranty.
Jul 16, 2007
Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager
Standard Install
Use this application to backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. Use USB Flash Drives to store personal data, to keep your network configuration and to share information with your friends. Microsoft USB Flash Drive .
Download
Overview
USB flash drives are compact and easy-to-use devices that are similar in use to your computer hard drive. USB flash drives slip into your pocket, conveniently around your neck or on a keychain for ultimate portable storage. USB flash drives in 2005 can hold up to 4 gigs of data, which is over 1700 three-minute songs (66 hours) recorded as MP3s or about three times the content of a standard compact disc. If you share a computer, USB flash drives are a great way to store personal information. USB Flash Drives are also a great option for saving information and share it with others. When you have many things to save and share but you have a limited number of USB Flash Drives, you will need to backup the information and restore it when needed. This is where the Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager application can help you. The Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager will help you backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. The application can also help you to classify and name USB Flash Drives images (for instance "My network configuration" or "The pictures for my grandma") and lets you see this name whenever the USB Flash Drive is plugged into the computer.
Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager is available for Windows XP only.
Use this application to backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. Use USB Flash Drives to store personal data, to keep your network configuration and to share information with your friends. Microsoft USB Flash Drive .
Download
Overview
USB flash drives are compact and easy-to-use devices that are similar in use to your computer hard drive. USB flash drives slip into your pocket, conveniently around your neck or on a keychain for ultimate portable storage. USB flash drives in 2005 can hold up to 4 gigs of data, which is over 1700 three-minute songs (66 hours) recorded as MP3s or about three times the content of a standard compact disc. If you share a computer, USB flash drives are a great way to store personal information. USB Flash Drives are also a great option for saving information and share it with others. When you have many things to save and share but you have a limited number of USB Flash Drives, you will need to backup the information and restore it when needed. This is where the Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager application can help you. The Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager will help you backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. The application can also help you to classify and name USB Flash Drives images (for instance "My network configuration" or "The pictures for my grandma") and lets you see this name whenever the USB Flash Drive is plugged into the computer.
Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager is available for Windows XP only.
What is a USB Flash Drive?
USB flash drives are compact and easy-to-use flash memory data storage devices integrated with a USB interface. The term "USB flash drive" is a generic term used to describe these products without specifying a particular manufacturer. USB flash drives are sold by many different companies under a variety of different proprietary product names such as JumpDrive, DataTraveler and Attaché, to name just a few. The term "USB flash drive" is used in the same manner that the term "DVD" and "CD-RW" are used; to describe the technology in generic terms. Other common names and terms are pen drive, memory stick and thumb drive.
They're virtually universally compatible with all Laptop and Notebook PCs running Windows 98SE and higher, as well as many MAC OS systems that have a USB port.
USB flash drives sales in 2006 are forecasted to reach 150 million units, with that number growing to 340 million in 2008, consisting of approximately 75% smart drives, according to Web-Feet Research.
They're virtually universally compatible with all Laptop and Notebook PCs running Windows 98SE and higher, as well as many MAC OS systems that have a USB port.
USB flash drives sales in 2006 are forecasted to reach 150 million units, with that number growing to 340 million in 2008, consisting of approximately 75% smart drives, according to Web-Feet Research.
What’s Wrong With Flash Memory Drives?
A lot of people in the industry believe that flash memory is the future of data storage for personal computers. We all use flash, of course, in digital cameras, in most music players, and on the ubiquitous USB flash memory keys. But flash is just beginning to appear in desktops and notebooks, either as an additional interface between the computer’s main memory (DRAM) and the hard drive; on the hard drive itself as a larger cache; or as a replacement for the hard drive, called a solid state drive (SSD). The concept is simple: hard drives require a motor to physically move a read/write head, while flash memory is a solid state device that offers random access. As a result, flash memory drives should be faster, lower-power, and more reliable.
There’s just one problem: flash memory drives don’t seem to work as advertised yet.
Take the concept of using flash memory to supplement the memory on a PC, which Microsoft calls ReadyBoost in Vista. In my tests, it can make a difference on a machine with 512MB or less, but doesn’t seem to have any positive impact on any machine with 1GB or more of RAM. The overhead associated with managing the memory seems bigger than any real benefits, and most real world tests I’ve run on it show slower performance. It’s not “ReadyBoost” it’s “ReadySlow.” On a 512MB system, you can see some improvements, but why bother? You’ll get much more improvement by adding another 512MB of DRAM enough main memory.
Another idea is to use as a cache between system memory and a hard drive, which Intel calls Turbo Memory, or “Robson.” The idea sounds right, but most system vendors have stayed away, saying they have the same kind of performance issues I saw with ReadyBoost. Now, I’m told that if it’s in place over a number of weeks, there are some improvements, but it’s probably not enough to care about now.
And then finally we come to solid state drives (SSDs), where flash-based drives are supposed to replace hard drives completely. A few weeks ago, I tested one machine – a Dell Latitude D420 -- with an SSD vs. an identical model with a hard drive.
The results were not encouraging. A 32 GB solid state drive added $450 compared to the more standard 60 GB hard drive. It took about 20 seconds less to boot, and 15 seconds less to shut down, which is good, but hardly earth-shattering. Some file operations were faster, some slower, since today’s flash memory typically reads faster but writes slower than a hard drive (though with less startup time, since there’s no drive head to move). Neither performance nor battery life showed a major improvement. Of course, proponents say SSDs should be more durable in a notebook since it doesn’t have any moving parts, but until a lot more people use SSDs in a PC fashion, it’s too early to quantify it.
Since then, I’ve been talking to a number of makers of both PCs and flash memory to ask them why I didn’t see nearly the improvements that flash proponents have claimed. Mostly, the answers say flash is just not ready to replace a hard drive yet. The big issue, they say, is that the operating systems just aren’t tuned for flash drives, but instead treat them just as they would a hard drive, even though their fundamental characteristics are very different. In addition, they say a different interface (the 3 Gbit/sec version of SATA, often called SATA II) will make a big difference as well. And, of course, flash memory, is getting faster over time. When could all this come together? Developers I’ve talked to tell me not to expect it to really make a different until next spring at the earliest. But a year from now, they tell me, flash as PC storage will be ready for prime time.
In the meantime, it remains an interesting idea – particularly if you’re worried about hard drive failures – but not something I’d recommend yet.
There’s just one problem: flash memory drives don’t seem to work as advertised yet.
Take the concept of using flash memory to supplement the memory on a PC, which Microsoft calls ReadyBoost in Vista. In my tests, it can make a difference on a machine with 512MB or less, but doesn’t seem to have any positive impact on any machine with 1GB or more of RAM. The overhead associated with managing the memory seems bigger than any real benefits, and most real world tests I’ve run on it show slower performance. It’s not “ReadyBoost” it’s “ReadySlow.” On a 512MB system, you can see some improvements, but why bother? You’ll get much more improvement by adding another 512MB of DRAM enough main memory.
Another idea is to use as a cache between system memory and a hard drive, which Intel calls Turbo Memory, or “Robson.” The idea sounds right, but most system vendors have stayed away, saying they have the same kind of performance issues I saw with ReadyBoost. Now, I’m told that if it’s in place over a number of weeks, there are some improvements, but it’s probably not enough to care about now.
And then finally we come to solid state drives (SSDs), where flash-based drives are supposed to replace hard drives completely. A few weeks ago, I tested one machine – a Dell Latitude D420 -- with an SSD vs. an identical model with a hard drive.
The results were not encouraging. A 32 GB solid state drive added $450 compared to the more standard 60 GB hard drive. It took about 20 seconds less to boot, and 15 seconds less to shut down, which is good, but hardly earth-shattering. Some file operations were faster, some slower, since today’s flash memory typically reads faster but writes slower than a hard drive (though with less startup time, since there’s no drive head to move). Neither performance nor battery life showed a major improvement. Of course, proponents say SSDs should be more durable in a notebook since it doesn’t have any moving parts, but until a lot more people use SSDs in a PC fashion, it’s too early to quantify it.
Since then, I’ve been talking to a number of makers of both PCs and flash memory to ask them why I didn’t see nearly the improvements that flash proponents have claimed. Mostly, the answers say flash is just not ready to replace a hard drive yet. The big issue, they say, is that the operating systems just aren’t tuned for flash drives, but instead treat them just as they would a hard drive, even though their fundamental characteristics are very different. In addition, they say a different interface (the 3 Gbit/sec version of SATA, often called SATA II) will make a big difference as well. And, of course, flash memory, is getting faster over time. When could all this come together? Developers I’ve talked to tell me not to expect it to really make a different until next spring at the earliest. But a year from now, they tell me, flash as PC storage will be ready for prime time.
In the meantime, it remains an interesting idea – particularly if you’re worried about hard drive failures – but not something I’d recommend yet.
Jul 10, 2007
Worldwide Solution for Ultrawideband Analysis with new Features
Ellisys releases new time-saving Instant Beacons and Superframe views to enable real-time debugging of multiple networked WiMedia devices
(via Press Release from Ellisys Website - July 9, 2007) - Geneva, Switzerland - Ellisys, a leading supplier of test solutions for USB, Certified Wireless USB and the WiMedia Platform, today announced new Instant Beacons and Instant Superframe features, the latest in its series of productivity-enhancing Instant™ functions for the company’s WiMedia protocol analyzer.
Beacons are special-purpose frames exchanged by all devices in a WiMedia personal area network (PAN) to both signal their presence and reserve bandwidth. Since it is expected that many consumers will eventually have multiple wireless devices – MP3 players, cameras, printers, scanners, etc. – being able to verify the simultaneous operation of multiple devices is an important step in interoperability testing and quality assurance. Beacon frames contain status information that can be examined to determine how various devices are working together. (more…)
(via Press Release from Ellisys Website - July 9, 2007) - Geneva, Switzerland - Ellisys, a leading supplier of test solutions for USB, Certified Wireless USB and the WiMedia Platform, today announced new Instant Beacons and Instant Superframe features, the latest in its series of productivity-enhancing Instant™ functions for the company’s WiMedia protocol analyzer.
Beacons are special-purpose frames exchanged by all devices in a WiMedia personal area network (PAN) to both signal their presence and reserve bandwidth. Since it is expected that many consumers will eventually have multiple wireless devices – MP3 players, cameras, printers, scanners, etc. – being able to verify the simultaneous operation of multiple devices is an important step in interoperability testing and quality assurance. Beacon frames contain status information that can be examined to determine how various devices are working together. (more…)
Jul 6, 2007
Flash Drives Become A Popular Method Of Promotion
When Toyota recently promoted its 2006 Lexus RX 350 sports utility vehicle in a U.S. mass mailing, it didn't print up glossy brochures and cram them into bulky envelopes. Instead, it sent out 21,000 digital devices smaller than cigarette lighters.
While some recipients may have been confused at first, they surely caught on when they pulled off a plastic cap and found a familiar Universal Serial Bus plug. Sticking the plug into a computer USB port, they gained access to the device and its contents: RX 350 pictures, video clips, interactive demos and more. Lexus isn't the only company that is handing out such gizmos — which go by such names as thumb drive, pen drive, pocket hard drive and USB flash drive — like candy.
The storage devices, which keep digital data in non-mechanical “flash” memory, have displaced the venerable floppy diskette as a convenient means for transporting and distributing computer files. As a result, the flash drives have become popular among companies that distribute promotional materials by mail, at industry gatherings or in meetings to clinch deals.
Flash drives are becoming the new darlings of conventions and trade shows, largely because of their increasing ubiquity and affordability. About 30 million were sold worldwide last year, including about 5 million in the United States.
When Frank Beeck of Brooklyn Park, Minn.-based Siemens Transportation Systems prepares for one of his industry's exhibits, he no longer needs to weigh himself down with printed materials.
Increasingly, he puts his information on 64-megabyte flash drives because these can be quickly reloaded with updated info if necessary. An alternative he considered, the CD-ROM, can't be updated once recorded and must be replaced with a newly burned disc. This takes too long, Beeck said.
Beeck's flash drives proved so popular at one recent transportation show that he ran out even though he had tried dipping into his stash of several dozen devices selectively. No matter: He dashed to a local Radio Shack store and bought a fresh batch.
Marlene Nelson of St. Paul, Minn.-based Sight Creative and Interactive multimedia-design company creates a variety of promotional materials for corporate customers such as Medtronic. She is increasingly putting the materials on flash drives.
Their key advantage, said Nelson, is that they can be reused. Once recipients have perused the devices' contents, they're free to use the drives for their own files. The “killer application” for such drives remains portable storage, said Steffen Hellmold, the group's president, but he said they have other uses—as authentication devices for locked rooms, cars or computers, for instance.
While some recipients may have been confused at first, they surely caught on when they pulled off a plastic cap and found a familiar Universal Serial Bus plug. Sticking the plug into a computer USB port, they gained access to the device and its contents: RX 350 pictures, video clips, interactive demos and more. Lexus isn't the only company that is handing out such gizmos — which go by such names as thumb drive, pen drive, pocket hard drive and USB flash drive — like candy.
The storage devices, which keep digital data in non-mechanical “flash” memory, have displaced the venerable floppy diskette as a convenient means for transporting and distributing computer files. As a result, the flash drives have become popular among companies that distribute promotional materials by mail, at industry gatherings or in meetings to clinch deals.
Flash drives are becoming the new darlings of conventions and trade shows, largely because of their increasing ubiquity and affordability. About 30 million were sold worldwide last year, including about 5 million in the United States.
When Frank Beeck of Brooklyn Park, Minn.-based Siemens Transportation Systems prepares for one of his industry's exhibits, he no longer needs to weigh himself down with printed materials.
Increasingly, he puts his information on 64-megabyte flash drives because these can be quickly reloaded with updated info if necessary. An alternative he considered, the CD-ROM, can't be updated once recorded and must be replaced with a newly burned disc. This takes too long, Beeck said.
Beeck's flash drives proved so popular at one recent transportation show that he ran out even though he had tried dipping into his stash of several dozen devices selectively. No matter: He dashed to a local Radio Shack store and bought a fresh batch.
Marlene Nelson of St. Paul, Minn.-based Sight Creative and Interactive multimedia-design company creates a variety of promotional materials for corporate customers such as Medtronic. She is increasingly putting the materials on flash drives.
Their key advantage, said Nelson, is that they can be reused. Once recipients have perused the devices' contents, they're free to use the drives for their own files. The “killer application” for such drives remains portable storage, said Steffen Hellmold, the group's president, but he said they have other uses—as authentication devices for locked rooms, cars or computers, for instance.
Jul 4, 2007
U3 saves a ton of time and effort
Melvin just wrote me from the United Arab Emirates telling me about his recent gift…
“When I received this U3 smart drive gift from my aunt, I was pleased that I got a 1 GB kit so that I could load important installer for office use. I could not believe the trouble the applications in U3 have saved me. I move from one different workstation to another in the office and it can get so bothersome when I have to login to Yahoo Mail for each access. Aside from this, my favorite web browser isn’t installed in my manager’s PC. Having U3 by my side, I need not worry about missing my mail from home and work since I carry both with me. I can also bring Mozilla Firefox to any PC and surf my favorite website since they are stored there. Better yet, I also have all the passwords from my Mozilla with me so I can simply login to Amazon and buy stuff without worrying for leaving a trace. I have also been able to keep in touch with my friends without installing any messenger programs on the said PC. My U3 flash disk has it and it is such a relief that I can do a lot of things without compromising installation of applications which my superiors may find uncomfortable. Thanks U3.”
You are most welcome Melvin. We truly appreciate you taking the time to write.
Nathan Gold
U3 Ambassador
“When I received this U3 smart drive gift from my aunt, I was pleased that I got a 1 GB kit so that I could load important installer for office use. I could not believe the trouble the applications in U3 have saved me. I move from one different workstation to another in the office and it can get so bothersome when I have to login to Yahoo Mail for each access. Aside from this, my favorite web browser isn’t installed in my manager’s PC. Having U3 by my side, I need not worry about missing my mail from home and work since I carry both with me. I can also bring Mozilla Firefox to any PC and surf my favorite website since they are stored there. Better yet, I also have all the passwords from my Mozilla with me so I can simply login to Amazon and buy stuff without worrying for leaving a trace. I have also been able to keep in touch with my friends without installing any messenger programs on the said PC. My U3 flash disk has it and it is such a relief that I can do a lot of things without compromising installation of applications which my superiors may find uncomfortable. Thanks U3.”
You are most welcome Melvin. We truly appreciate you taking the time to write.
Nathan Gold
U3 Ambassador
White Stripes, Nine Inch Nails push use of USB drives
Gramophone records, LPs, tape cassettes, CDs and downloads all revolutionized music delivery.
Are USB flash drives the next hot medium?
USB flash drives are data storage devices that essentially do the same thing as old-fashioned floppy disks,but are smaller, faster and hold much more data. Sales of these compact, portable and rewritable drives are expected to grow from 149 million units sold in 2006 to 242 million units in 2008. But that number could be much bigger if more musicians follow the example of the White Stripes and Nine Inch Nails, who have released their new recordings on these portable storage devices
Are USB flash drives the next hot medium?
USB flash drives are data storage devices that essentially do the same thing as old-fashioned floppy disks,but are smaller, faster and hold much more data. Sales of these compact, portable and rewritable drives are expected to grow from 149 million units sold in 2006 to 242 million units in 2008. But that number could be much bigger if more musicians follow the example of the White Stripes and Nine Inch Nails, who have released their new recordings on these portable storage devices
Jul 2, 2007
Access Your Desktop With Smart USB
When you leave the house in the morning, what do you take? Your wallet, keys, cell phone... what about your laptop? Many Bay Area consumers find their laptops essential for business, especially while traveling. Now there's a way to access your computer's desktop even if you don't have your laptop with you.
Related Links
ABC7 Video On Demand
Get Alerts In Your E-Mail
Get Alerts On Your Desktop
Talk About This Story
Would you believe that entire computer programs can fit on a device that fits in the palm of your hand? Not just documents or files, but actual programs. It's the latest kind of USB flash drive, which basically lets you store programs, so you can run them on other computers.
Saleswoman Nancy Glover is always on the go, and hates to lug her laptop around. "I'm constantly needing to take this laptop with me, and it's a little bit cumbersome," says Glover. The solution: a little gadget known as a Universal Serial Bus.
It's one of several new USB smart drives equipped with a cutting edge technology called U3.
CNET's Tom Merritt says it's for people on the move. "You can store the programs you use most often, and you can store your settings on them, so it's like having your whole PC right there," Merritt explains.
Merritt says older USB drives made it difficult to store anything other than documents or data files. But with U3, users can easily store software -- like your web browser, email program, instant messenger, personal preferences and games.
"If I can have everything that I need on this small device, then I can use literally anyone's computer to access what I need," says Glover.
Once you've installed all the programs you want, just plug in the USB, click on the icon that pops up and you'll see all your programs. "It automatically will synch with whatever computer you've started it on and you can kind of just go from there."
Merritt says the only real concern is if you lose the device -- along with your private information. "If you're storing your settings on here like your email or passwords, if you lose this device, it's possible anyone else could get a hold of that information," he warns.
Nancy says her drive is password protected, and at this point, she can't imagine life without it. "To not have to carry your laptop and to consolidate everything into one really small, lightweight device is really key," she says.
Most U3s do come with password protection or other security, and some also have pre-loaded programs.
Prices range from about $15 to more than $100, depending on storage space.
Related link:
www.cnet.com
Related Links
ABC7 Video On Demand
Get Alerts In Your E-Mail
Get Alerts On Your Desktop
Talk About This Story
Would you believe that entire computer programs can fit on a device that fits in the palm of your hand? Not just documents or files, but actual programs. It's the latest kind of USB flash drive, which basically lets you store programs, so you can run them on other computers.
Saleswoman Nancy Glover is always on the go, and hates to lug her laptop around. "I'm constantly needing to take this laptop with me, and it's a little bit cumbersome," says Glover. The solution: a little gadget known as a Universal Serial Bus.
It's one of several new USB smart drives equipped with a cutting edge technology called U3.
CNET's Tom Merritt says it's for people on the move. "You can store the programs you use most often, and you can store your settings on them, so it's like having your whole PC right there," Merritt explains.
Merritt says older USB drives made it difficult to store anything other than documents or data files. But with U3, users can easily store software -- like your web browser, email program, instant messenger, personal preferences and games.
"If I can have everything that I need on this small device, then I can use literally anyone's computer to access what I need," says Glover.
Once you've installed all the programs you want, just plug in the USB, click on the icon that pops up and you'll see all your programs. "It automatically will synch with whatever computer you've started it on and you can kind of just go from there."
Merritt says the only real concern is if you lose the device -- along with your private information. "If you're storing your settings on here like your email or passwords, if you lose this device, it's possible anyone else could get a hold of that information," he warns.
Nancy says her drive is password protected, and at this point, she can't imagine life without it. "To not have to carry your laptop and to consolidate everything into one really small, lightweight device is really key," she says.
Most U3s do come with password protection or other security, and some also have pre-loaded programs.
Prices range from about $15 to more than $100, depending on storage space.
Related link:
www.cnet.com
Jun 28, 2007
Getting the most from U3 Software Central
Have you downloaded more applications for your U3 smart drive yet? I could hardly wait to get my drive out of the wrapper to start adding software (and it took me long enough to get into the packaging!). Before I got my first smart drive, I used to look at the software through the U3 website, at U3 Software Central (U3SC). I had heard the U3 E-commerce manager, Renee, talk about the online store and point out the benefits of accessing U3SC through the Launchpad and was curious to find out why.
Renee said a direct Launchpad install offers you a one-step download onto your U3 drive. With a PC download, you need to download the app to your hard drive, then open the Launchpad and then open/install the application on the drive - OK, not rocket science, but more time, effort and opportunity to mess up. Plus, you’re missing out on the whole benefit of U3 technology that enables you to bypass the hard drive! Renee summarized that “a direct Launchpad install is a more seamless integration of the technology allowing you to easily get to what you need and download”.
Personally, I found the direct download really easy - I clicked on the app I wanted then went and did chores for a few minutes while my applications were installed onto my smart drive (I do like to multitask). I could then enjoy the fun bit of getting a new toy - personalizing and playing with it!
Renee said a direct Launchpad install offers you a one-step download onto your U3 drive. With a PC download, you need to download the app to your hard drive, then open the Launchpad and then open/install the application on the drive - OK, not rocket science, but more time, effort and opportunity to mess up. Plus, you’re missing out on the whole benefit of U3 technology that enables you to bypass the hard drive! Renee summarized that “a direct Launchpad install is a more seamless integration of the technology allowing you to easily get to what you need and download”.
Personally, I found the direct download really easy - I clicked on the app I wanted then went and did chores for a few minutes while my applications were installed onto my smart drive (I do like to multitask). I could then enjoy the fun bit of getting a new toy - personalizing and playing with it!
U3 Smart USB Pen Drive
Meet the next generation of USB flash drives: the U3 smart
drive. It's
what's inside that makes them smart.
- Carry and access your files easily
- Keep your data safe and secure
- Comes with pre-loaded software
- Hundreds of software titles available
Store your data and carry software
applications!
Imagine carrying your software on the same flash drive that carries your
files. That’s what you can do with a U3 smart drive. You can plug it into any PC
and work, play a game, message friends, send email, edit photos and more. A U3
smart drive makes any PC your own PC. And when you unplug it, it leaves no
personal data behind.
Jun 25, 2007
tree trunk memory sticks
These flash drives look a bit weird they use real wood, so green these devices are not, after all where did the wood come from? But they do act as reminder for people to see that trees are used for many things and without even any thought to where they have come from etc.
Jun 24, 2007
When Your Computer Won't Recognize Your Flash Drive
If your Windows XP computer is not recognizing your flash drive, its likely that you computer simply is confused as to what drive letter to assign to the memory stick. Fortunately, the fix is a simple one. This trick also works when your computer refuses to recognize a USB drive or other removable storage device.
First, hit Windows+E to open an Explorer window.
Select “My Computer.”
Right click and choose “Manage” from the contextual menu. This will open a window called “Computer Management.”
Select “Disk Management”, which is under “Storage”
On the bottom right side of the window, you’ll see a list of all of the storage devices currently attached to the computer. If your flash drive is listed there, that’s great—you can fix the problem. If not, this solution won’t work.
Right click on the drive listed in that window. This will bring up a contextual menu. Choose “Change Drive Letter and Paths.”
This will bring up yet another window, which will show your “missing” drive. Choose “Change” at the bottom.
Another window will pop up. This one will have a drop down menu on the right hand side. Choose a letter “higher” than the one currently assigned to the drive. If it’s “E”, for example, choose a letter between “F” and “Z.” Its probably best to pick one toward the end of the alphabet.
Once you’ve selected a drive letter, a warning message will come up saying that “Changing The Drive Letter of a Volume Might Cause Programs No Longer To run.”
That’s OK. It’s likely that all you’ve got on the drive is data. Click on Yes.
That will return you to the Computer Management Window.
Your drive now should function properly.
First, hit Windows+E to open an Explorer window.
Select “My Computer.”
Right click and choose “Manage” from the contextual menu. This will open a window called “Computer Management.”
Select “Disk Management”, which is under “Storage”
On the bottom right side of the window, you’ll see a list of all of the storage devices currently attached to the computer. If your flash drive is listed there, that’s great—you can fix the problem. If not, this solution won’t work.
Right click on the drive listed in that window. This will bring up a contextual menu. Choose “Change Drive Letter and Paths.”
This will bring up yet another window, which will show your “missing” drive. Choose “Change” at the bottom.
Another window will pop up. This one will have a drop down menu on the right hand side. Choose a letter “higher” than the one currently assigned to the drive. If it’s “E”, for example, choose a letter between “F” and “Z.” Its probably best to pick one toward the end of the alphabet.
Once you’ve selected a drive letter, a warning message will come up saying that “Changing The Drive Letter of a Volume Might Cause Programs No Longer To run.”
That’s OK. It’s likely that all you’ve got on the drive is data. Click on Yes.
That will return you to the Computer Management Window.
Your drive now should function properly.
DOS USB Drivers
There are several ways folks are getting their USB CDroms, Hard Drives, and other drives to work in DOS. One is using what's known as DUSE driver system. The second method is using what looks somewhat like standard CDrom driver files and a USB driver. Both methods appear to require loading an usbaspiX.sys file first in config.sys in most cases. The third method is a bootdisk from a USB vendor. Method 4 is getting good reviews also.
METHOD 1 - The DUSE System
Example 1 Using DUSE
[config.sys]
device=a:\himem.sys
devicehigh=a:\emm386.exe
device=a:\usbaspi.sys
dos=high,umb
Note: You can find a usbspi.sys on the internet or use on of the five different versions I've found in the Download Files section at the bottom of the page
[autoexec.bat]
@echo off
duseldr a:\duse.exe
MSCDEX /D:USBCDROM /S /M:15 /V
Example 2 Using DUSE
[config.sys]
device=a:\himem.sys
DEVICE=a:\duse.exe
[autoexec.bat]
MSCDEX /D:USBCDROM /S /M:15 /V
METHOD 2 - The usbaspi.sys/usbcd.sys System - Example 1
METHOD 1 - The DUSE System
Example 1 Using DUSE
[config.sys]
device=a:\himem.sys
devicehigh=a:\emm386.exe
device=a:\usbaspi.sys
dos=high,umb
Note: You can find a usbspi.sys on the internet or use on of the five different versions I've found in the Download Files section at the bottom of the page
[autoexec.bat]
@echo off
duseldr a:\duse.exe
MSCDEX /D:USBCDROM /S /M:15 /V
Example 2 Using DUSE
[config.sys]
device=a:\himem.sys
DEVICE=a:\duse.exe
[autoexec.bat]
MSCDEX /D:USBCDROM /S /M:15 /V
METHOD 2 - The usbaspi.sys/usbcd.sys System - Example 1
usb sushi drives
Never again will you have to choose between having sushi or having a USB memory drive--thanks to the USB sushi drive. These USB drives are hand-made-in-Tokyo sushi replicas. The convincing USB sushi drive comes in several flavors.
Disable usb flash drives
Once in a while I have a friend, or customer that needs to keep people from using the USB ports to copy data off of a system.
It is easy to lock a machine down, disable the floppy, and cdrom in the bios. Many times when you try to disable USB - it disables it entirely.
This can be a real pain on newer laptops or systems that don't even have a PS2 interface for the mouse or keyboard.
There is a simple registry change that will keep the USB storage drivers from starting when the system boots. Keeps people from walking up to a PC and copying data off with a USB key, but allows you to keep your scanner, keyboard, and mouse working.
As always - back your system up before messing around in the registry.
Just open regedit and browse to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
Notice the value 'Start'
Switch this value to 4, and USB storage devices are disabled.
Switch this value to 3, and USB storage devices are enabled.
Put Your USB Drive To Work: 5 Strategies For Going Mobile
Your flash drive can do more than just hold data -- it can give you the ability to take your PC anywhere. Here are five strategies for making the most of that tiny USB key.
Now that the floppy disk is dead (or as dead as it gets) and the USB flash drive has pretty much replaced it, it's high time to think about that USB drive as more than just a big floppy
There's no question the size of your average USB drive has made it far easier to shuttle both data and applications between computers. For $25, you can pick up a 2GB USB flash drive, enough data to fill roughly four CD-ROMs. But aside from data, applications are also becoming a featured item: Some companies sell Linux distributions pre-loaded on a USB stick, for instance. With all that space and flexibility available, it's become possible (or at least a lot easier) for people to take both their data and their applications with them.
Because so many things are possible, people new to the idea of using USB drives to work on the go sometimes get a little lost. What kinds of on-the-go work can you specifically do with a USB drive, and why? To that end, I've assembled five basic ways you can use your USB drive on the go in more effective ways:
How to use applications without installing anything on the host machine
How to run a standalone operating system from a USB drive.
How to maintain a standalone (and secure) password repository
How to synchronize data between two or more computers
How to encrypt your data so that it's safe to carry it around with you.
The vast majority of the material described here is for Windows -- the PortableApps suite, for instance, is a Windows-only item at this point. Some individual programs do exist in Linux incarnations, though -- TrueCrypt, for instance, and KeePass has been unofficially translated into Linux and MacOS editions (as well as a U3 device edition). Check the respective Web sites of each application for what versions are available, as they may change over time.
A Note Of Caution: Sorry, You Can't Plug That in Here
As usage of portable USB drives rises, so does caution about their use. Many workplaces and public-access computers no longer allow USB devices to be connected as a security measure, or only allow read-only access (and don't allow non-approved applications to run). It can be frustrating, especially if the data you brought with you is encrypted and you need to run an application to get access to it.
As a general rule of thumb, if you don't think you can log into a given system as an administrator, chances are you won't be able to do the vast majority of things you might expect to do with applications or data on a USB drive. Be prepared to fall back to a data-only or read-only setup if you think you're going to be going back and forth between home and other machines that are heavily locked down.
Page 2: Be Productive -- Without Installing Anything
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Next Page »
Now that the floppy disk is dead (or as dead as it gets) and the USB flash drive has pretty much replaced it, it's high time to think about that USB drive as more than just a big floppy
There's no question the size of your average USB drive has made it far easier to shuttle both data and applications between computers. For $25, you can pick up a 2GB USB flash drive, enough data to fill roughly four CD-ROMs. But aside from data, applications are also becoming a featured item: Some companies sell Linux distributions pre-loaded on a USB stick, for instance. With all that space and flexibility available, it's become possible (or at least a lot easier) for people to take both their data and their applications with them.
Because so many things are possible, people new to the idea of using USB drives to work on the go sometimes get a little lost. What kinds of on-the-go work can you specifically do with a USB drive, and why? To that end, I've assembled five basic ways you can use your USB drive on the go in more effective ways:
How to use applications without installing anything on the host machine
How to run a standalone operating system from a USB drive.
How to maintain a standalone (and secure) password repository
How to synchronize data between two or more computers
How to encrypt your data so that it's safe to carry it around with you.
The vast majority of the material described here is for Windows -- the PortableApps suite, for instance, is a Windows-only item at this point. Some individual programs do exist in Linux incarnations, though -- TrueCrypt, for instance, and KeePass has been unofficially translated into Linux and MacOS editions (as well as a U3 device edition). Check the respective Web sites of each application for what versions are available, as they may change over time.
A Note Of Caution: Sorry, You Can't Plug That in Here
As usage of portable USB drives rises, so does caution about their use. Many workplaces and public-access computers no longer allow USB devices to be connected as a security measure, or only allow read-only access (and don't allow non-approved applications to run). It can be frustrating, especially if the data you brought with you is encrypted and you need to run an application to get access to it.
As a general rule of thumb, if you don't think you can log into a given system as an administrator, chances are you won't be able to do the vast majority of things you might expect to do with applications or data on a USB drive. Be prepared to fall back to a data-only or read-only setup if you think you're going to be going back and forth between home and other machines that are heavily locked down.
Page 2: Be Productive -- Without Installing Anything
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Next Page »
Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager (Standard)
Brief Description
Standard Install
Use this application to backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. Use USB Flash Drives to store personal data, to keep your network configuration and to share information with your friends. Microsoft USB Flash Drive .
USB flash drives are compact and easy-to-use devices that are similar in use to your computer hard drive. USB flash drives slip into your pocket, conveniently around your neck or on a keychain for ultimate portable storage. USB flash drives in 2005 can hold up to 4 gigs of data, which is over 1700 three-minute songs (66 hours) recorded as MP3s or about three times the content of a standard compact disc. If you share a computer, USB flash drives are a great way to store personal information. USB Flash Drives are also a great option for saving information and share it with others. When you have many things to save and share but you have a limited number of USB Flash Drives, you will need to backup the information and restore it when needed. This is where the Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager application can help you. The Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager will help you backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. The application can also help you to classify and name USB Flash Drives images (for instance "My network configuration" or "The pictures for my grandma") and lets you see this name whenever the USB Flash Drive is plugged into the computer.
Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager is available for Windows XP only.
Standard Install
Use this application to backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. Use USB Flash Drives to store personal data, to keep your network configuration and to share information with your friends. Microsoft USB Flash Drive .
USB flash drives are compact and easy-to-use devices that are similar in use to your computer hard drive. USB flash drives slip into your pocket, conveniently around your neck or on a keychain for ultimate portable storage. USB flash drives in 2005 can hold up to 4 gigs of data, which is over 1700 three-minute songs (66 hours) recorded as MP3s or about three times the content of a standard compact disc. If you share a computer, USB flash drives are a great way to store personal information. USB Flash Drives are also a great option for saving information and share it with others. When you have many things to save and share but you have a limited number of USB Flash Drives, you will need to backup the information and restore it when needed. This is where the Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager application can help you. The Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager will help you backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. The application can also help you to classify and name USB Flash Drives images (for instance "My network configuration" or "The pictures for my grandma") and lets you see this name whenever the USB Flash Drive is plugged into the computer.
Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager is available for Windows XP only.
Jun 22, 2007
LiarVB-A worm spreads via USB flash drives
Sophos has released details the LiarVB-A worm, which copies itself onto removable drives, such as USB Flash drives and floppy disks. It also spreads via network shares.
Unlike most malware, which is designed to make money for hackers, the LiarVB-A worm aims to spread information about Aids and HIV.
Although it carries a message claiming that the worm won’t harm the computer, it does make changes to a computers setting and overwrite files.
The worm creates a hidden file called ‘autorun.inf’ to ensure that a copy of the worm is run the next time the drive is connected to a Windows PC.
When it has penetrated a system, the worm adds an HTML file containing a message about Aids and HIV to the user’s drive.
Sophos is advising people to disable the autorun facility in Windows to prevent removable devices such as USB keys and CD-Roms from automatically launching when attached to a PC.
Jun 21, 2007
Popdrive Bottle Opening USB Flash Drive
Finally, a company has combined my two favorite hobbies. Thank you for fulfilling my dream of being able to transfer files with ease and crack open a cold one almost at the same time with one convenient device. This Popdrive is a 1GB flash drive that sits securely in the handle of a standard bottle opener. Chalk this peripheral up as another goodie from the fine folks at SkyMall. The question still remains: Is it a bottle opener with a flash drive or a flash drive with a bottle opener? *Head explodes* $30.
Kingston, OCZ and Super Talent USB Flash Drives
USB Flash Drives have long replaced floppy disks and nearly every enthusiast has at least one, but is it time to upgrade the drive you already own? With Flash memory prices being more than affordable one can find 2GB USB keys for just over $20, which is a heck of a bargain compared to what a couple of years ago. The first thumb drive Legit Reviews wrote about was the $39 Trek ThumbDrive Secure 16MB back in 2003! This drive was capable of 700kB/sec read speeds, which is nothing compared to the latest drives that are pushing over 30,000kB/sec! A couple weeks ago at Computex 2007 memory companies Kingston Technology, OCZ Technology and Super Talent gave us samples of one of their more recent USB drives to try out and to see what we think of them.
LR has been using these Flash drives for the past couple of weeks and it seems that OCZ Technology and Super Talent have aimed their efforts at increasing the transfer speeds on their products, while Kingston Technology has been hard at work building a small device that appeals to both men and women. Let's take a closer look at the drives!
The USB Drives:
Super Talent - The 1GB Super Talent DH has an aluminum body with a plastic cap on it that doesn't quit fit correctly. The Super Talent DH series is all about speed and is rated at 200X with data transfer speeds in excess of 30MB per second. The DH series of 200x flash drives are available in capacities from 512MB to 8GB. Super Talent offers a limited lifetime warranty on their DH series USB Flash drives.
OCZ Technology - The 4GB OCZ Technology Rally2 Flash Drive is the sleeker and more ergonomic version of the original Rally. OCZ says that the Rally2 can read data at up to 28MB/s so it should compete with the Super Talent DH series. The Rally2 series from OCZ is offered in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities with all of the drives having an orange LED status light. OCZ Technology also offers a limited lifetime warranty on their Rally2 series USB Flash drives
LR has been using these Flash drives for the past couple of weeks and it seems that OCZ Technology and Super Talent have aimed their efforts at increasing the transfer speeds on their products, while Kingston Technology has been hard at work building a small device that appeals to both men and women. Let's take a closer look at the drives!
The USB Drives:
Super Talent - The 1GB Super Talent DH has an aluminum body with a plastic cap on it that doesn't quit fit correctly. The Super Talent DH series is all about speed and is rated at 200X with data transfer speeds in excess of 30MB per second. The DH series of 200x flash drives are available in capacities from 512MB to 8GB. Super Talent offers a limited lifetime warranty on their DH series USB Flash drives.
OCZ Technology - The 4GB OCZ Technology Rally2 Flash Drive is the sleeker and more ergonomic version of the original Rally. OCZ says that the Rally2 can read data at up to 28MB/s so it should compete with the Super Talent DH series. The Rally2 series from OCZ is offered in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities with all of the drives having an orange LED status light. OCZ Technology also offers a limited lifetime warranty on their Rally2 series USB Flash drives
Jun 19, 2007
Corsair Voyager GT 4GB USB Flash Drive @ Dansdata
One of the nicer things about flash drives these days is that they're not very expensive.
The 4Gb Voyager GT will only set you back $AU115.50 delivered from Aus PC Market, provided you live here in Australia. The 8Gb version is $AU181.50 delivered - less than twice as much - although if you're after bulk storage, that much money will get you two hundred and fifty gigabytes in an external box. It'll just be a lot bulkier and more fragile.
People elsewhere in the world can pick up a Voyager from just about any good online retailer (and no doubt many bad ones too). It's not as if they're rare.
If you need a decent amount of quick storage on the road then the Voyager GT definitely comes recommended from me, even though it didn't end up revolutionising my code-compilation experience.
EPOS announces Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive
EPOS announced its latest Digital Pen and USB Flash Drive at the 2007 CES event.
A user simply writes or draws with the pen and everything is wirelessly transmitted to the USB flash drive.
When the flash drive is connected to a PC the handwritten information can be saved as a PDF or JPG, or converted into text with standard handwriting-recognition software.
The drive has a storage capacity of 512MB and upgrades are expected to follow soon. It can be used to store music, images, video files and other data.
The EPOS digital pen and USB flash drive are Vista compatible and can connect and transmit data from 10 feet apart.
The product should be available in stores in July for around $80.
USB MP3 pen features hidden recorder
SubRosaSoft is distributing MacLockPick, a USB thumb drive which can extract passwords, Internet history, and system settings from an OS X user just by plugging it into a USB drive.
The drive, which is only available to law enforcement officials, can pull every piece of private information off an OS X computer, including passwords, internet history, […]
Cool USB Flash Memory Storage
USB storage may just be a bunch of letters to many folks, but this acronym is making an impact in many more people’s lives. It is also making an impact in Hollywood, both on the small screen and the big screen.
The entertainment industry is merging with the technology industry when it comes to computer data storage. Just last night there was at least two prime time shows that referenced portable storage technology in one form or another.
One of the more common forms of storage is the USB flash drive. These tiny memory keepers are much more durable than the portable storage systems of the past (like compact discs and floppy discs). The flash drives can withstand most any of the casual abuse that users throw in their direction. They seem almost impervious to scratches and even dust.
This compact form of USB storage packs a lot of punch for its size. Even the least expensive choices can still store dozens of floppy disks worth of data. Some of these flash drives can hold more data than a CD (which typically holds around 700 MB). Even a DVD is no match for the pint sized storage.
Things are not all good in the land of USB flash drive storage. The small size of the flash drives can be as much of a determent as it is a benefit. It is easy to lose, forget, or just simply misplace these storage systems.
Flash drives can have problems when it comes to over writing data. Unlike other types of data storage, the USB flash drive storage does not have a write-protection mechanism. It is also not completely indestructible. It can suffer from damage or have data corrupted by severe impacts.
In all, when it comes to USB storage, the flash drive packs in more data than other storage systems on the market. Besides, it just looks real cool.
Jun 15, 2007
USB Flash Drive - The best way to carry and exchange computer data
The best way to carry and exchange computer data
Small Devices such as this hold anything up to 4GB of data and are automatically compatible with most PCs.
Data can be very quickly written to, or read from, this convenient portable device.
(Dime included to show size)
Here is a great way to backup 'must have' files when you're traveling, or to conveniently swap data between computers.
Do you need a USB Flash Drive
If you're traveling and your laptop becomes lost or broken, what would you do if you had a vital Powerpoint presentation trapped on its hard drive?
Or if you want to conveniently take some files from the office to home, work on them, and then return them? How would you do that?
Traditionally, all computers had floppy disk drives, and their 1.44MB capacity was more than enough to handle any reasonable type of file you'd ever need to transfer. These days, many new computers don't have any floppy drive at all.
As programs and files became larger, CDroms - a technology that almost died as a non-mainstream curiosity and which Bill Gates championed - became more common and now are almost universal. CDrom writers also became more common, and transferring larger files was commonly done by burning them to a CDrom.
Various other technologies, such as Iomega's Zip (100-250MB) and Jaz (1-2GB) drives, also briefly appeared and then disappeared again.
Flash forward to the present day. Few computers even have a floppy disk drive. While most computers have CDroms, not all have CD burners, and even though the cost of single use CDs has dropped down to less than 50c each, the technology to write onto them is cumbersome and slow. A newer technology - DVDrom - is appearing; happily DVDrom drives usually read CDroms too.
A new type of universal data storage format was/is needed. Increasingly it seems that the USB flash drive might be exactly what is now needed
Jun 14, 2007
64MB is only US$5.30
USB Flash Drives are compact and easy-to-use devices that are similar in use to your computer hard drive. USB Flash Drives slip into your pocket, conveniently around your neck or on a keychain for ultimate portable storage. Now, USB Flash Drives have become one of the most popular and innovative promotional items. We can imprint your logo and preload any data on the USB drives to create the ultimate promotional product. We guarantees our pricing to be the absolute lowest and our delivery times to be the absolute fastest in the industry.
What is Flash drive?
A flash drive, related to a solid state drive, is a storage device that uses flash memory rather than conventional spinning platters to store data. Unlike a USB flash drive or keydrive, flash drives tend to physically imitate conventional hard drives in size, shape, and interface so that they may act as a replacement for hard drives.
A Flash drive in a standard drive form factor.
These products are typically used as low power, rugged replacements for hard drives, especially in installations exposed to extreme conditions. The flash memory cells tend to fail after around a million writes which made early devices unsuitable for storage which is often updated in place, such as swap files. To address this problem, some flash disk vendors have introduced wear-levelling techniques that track usage and transparently relocate the data in highly utilized extents of storage to extents that have been less utilized. Unlike solid state drives, flash drives do not generally require backup battery systems.
Another use for flash drives is running light weight operating systems designed specifically for turning general-purpose PCs into network appliances comparable to more expensive routers and firewalls. In this situation, a write protected flash drive containing the whole operating system is used to boot the system. A similar system could boot from CD, floppy disk or a traditional hard drive but flash memory is a good choice because of very low power consumption and failure rate.
As of 2001, limited quantities of consumer electronics (such as notebook PCs) have become available including flash drives in place of conventional hard drives[1]. It is widely assumed that this trend will increase over time as the cost of flash drives decreases and the performance needs of consumer electronics continue to increase.
A Flash drive in a standard drive form factor.
These products are typically used as low power, rugged replacements for hard drives, especially in installations exposed to extreme conditions. The flash memory cells tend to fail after around a million writes which made early devices unsuitable for storage which is often updated in place, such as swap files. To address this problem, some flash disk vendors have introduced wear-levelling techniques that track usage and transparently relocate the data in highly utilized extents of storage to extents that have been less utilized. Unlike solid state drives, flash drives do not generally require backup battery systems.
Another use for flash drives is running light weight operating systems designed specifically for turning general-purpose PCs into network appliances comparable to more expensive routers and firewalls. In this situation, a write protected flash drive containing the whole operating system is used to boot the system. A similar system could boot from CD, floppy disk or a traditional hard drive but flash memory is a good choice because of very low power consumption and failure rate.
As of 2001, limited quantities of consumer electronics (such as notebook PCs) have become available including flash drives in place of conventional hard drives[1]. It is widely assumed that this trend will increase over time as the cost of flash drives decreases and the performance needs of consumer electronics continue to increase.
Portable apps for USB flash Drives
A flash drive, related to a solid state drive, is a storage device that uses flash memory rather than conventional spinning platters to store data. Unlike a USB flash drive or keydrive, flash drives tend to physically imitate conventional hard drives in size, shape, and interface so that they may act as a replacement for hard drives.
A Flash drive in a standard drive form factor.
These products are typically used as low power, rugged replacements for hard drives, especially in installations exposed to extreme conditions. The flash memory cells tend to fail after around a million writes which made early devices unsuitable for storage which is often updated in place, such as swap files. To address this problem, some flash disk vendors have introduced wear-levelling techniques that track usage and transparently relocate the data in highly utilized extents of storage to extents that have been less utilized. Unlike solid state drives, flash drives do not generally require backup battery systems.
Another use for flash drives is running light weight operating systems designed specifically for turning general-purpose PCs into network appliances comparable to more expensive routers and firewalls. In this situation, a write protected flash drive containing the whole operating system is used to boot the system. A similar system could boot from CD, floppy disk or a traditional hard drive but flash memory is a good choice because of very low power consumption and failure rate.
As of 2001, limited quantities of consumer electronics (such as notebook PCs) have become available including flash drives in place of conventional hard drives[1]. It is widely assumed that this trend will increase over time as the cost of flash drives decreases and the performance needs of consumer electronics continue to increase.
A Flash drive in a standard drive form factor.
These products are typically used as low power, rugged replacements for hard drives, especially in installations exposed to extreme conditions. The flash memory cells tend to fail after around a million writes which made early devices unsuitable for storage which is often updated in place, such as swap files. To address this problem, some flash disk vendors have introduced wear-levelling techniques that track usage and transparently relocate the data in highly utilized extents of storage to extents that have been less utilized. Unlike solid state drives, flash drives do not generally require backup battery systems.
Another use for flash drives is running light weight operating systems designed specifically for turning general-purpose PCs into network appliances comparable to more expensive routers and firewalls. In this situation, a write protected flash drive containing the whole operating system is used to boot the system. A similar system could boot from CD, floppy disk or a traditional hard drive but flash memory is a good choice because of very low power consumption and failure rate.
As of 2001, limited quantities of consumer electronics (such as notebook PCs) have become available including flash drives in place of conventional hard drives[1]. It is widely assumed that this trend will increase over time as the cost of flash drives decreases and the performance needs of consumer electronics continue to increase.
Jun 13, 2007
USB 2.0 Hi-speed Flash drive roundup 2004
Whether you refer to it as a pen drive, jump drive, thumb drive, key drive, or memory stick, you have to admit, the USB Flash drive is pretty darn cool. Just stick it into the USB port on your computer and within a few seconds a new drive appears on your desktop. So simple and so easy. What makes them so good is that they have a spate of desirable features such as no need for batteries, solid state storage, good transfer speeds, durability, portability, and expected data retention of ten years. All of these features allow these little babies to practically replace the floppy, the Zip disk, and the CD-R/RW all in one fell swoop.
Unfortunately, when comparing USB Flash drives side-by-side in a computer or electronics store, it can be awfully difficult to decide which is best for you just by looking at the drive and the packaging. It would be easy to make an assumption that all drives are pretty much the same and that shopping for the best price is the smartest way of deciding. We are here to inform you that USB Flash drives are not a commodity and can be very unique offerings. As you will soon find out, some are clearly better than others while others come bundled with nifty features that can really make your day. In short, not all flash drives are created equal.
Unfortunately, when comparing USB Flash drives side-by-side in a computer or electronics store, it can be awfully difficult to decide which is best for you just by looking at the drive and the packaging. It would be easy to make an assumption that all drives are pretty much the same and that shopping for the best price is the smartest way of deciding. We are here to inform you that USB Flash drives are not a commodity and can be very unique offerings. As you will soon find out, some are clearly better than others while others come bundled with nifty features that can really make your day. In short, not all flash drives are created equal.
The top 10 weirdest USB drives ever
USB drives comes in thousands of designs and colors, but these 10 are extraordinary weird. Or what do you think? Go ahead, check them out. They are weird! Promise. Hehe.
custom packaging for usb flash drives
Click Here to view our wide variety of packaging options which includes boxes, pouches, clamshell inserts and even Customized Packaging Services for serious corporate marketing and image promotion.
Transcend Unleashes New Flash Drives
Transcend has released a slew of new pen drives to the world which are relatively faster than most present generation flash drives. The Ultra-Speed USB 2.0 Flash drives belonging to the JetFlash 160, the JetFlash 168, the JetFlash 110 and the JetFlash 2A are equipped with dual Hi-Speed SLC NAND Flash chips. Their transfer rates are rated at Max. Read 30MB/s, Max. Write 25MB/s. They are engineered using top quality components to ensure better performance and a longer lifespan. This device is a combination of style and superior performance that will be appreciated by those who need high-speed data transfer rates. The Ultra-Speed JetFlash Drives conveniently plug into the USB port on any desktop, or notebook computer, so you can fast transfer, store, and share files. It is now available in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB (JetFlash 2A only) capacities. These Ultra-Speed JetFlash drives are enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost technology, which not only can accelerate program loading speed, but also can increase memory performance.
Also released by Transcend is the new JetFlash V85 series with zinc alloy body. It measures only 49.5 mm long by 15.8 mm wide, and it is so thin (7.4 mm) that it easily slides into tight-fitting stacked USB ports. It conveniently plugs into the USB port on any desktop, or notebook computer, for users to easily transfer, store, and share files. Each JetFlash V85 comes with a short chain, so it can be hooked to a key ring. It is now available in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB capacities, and is backed by a lifetime warranty for the peace of mind that users deserve.
Jun 12, 2007
Second generation
Modern flash drives have USB 2.0 connectivity. However, they do not currently use the full 480 Mbit/s the specification supports due to technical limitations inherent in NAND flash. The fastest drives currently available use a dual channel controller, although they still fall considerably short of the transfer rate possible from a current generation hard disk, or the maximum high speed USB 2.0 throughput.
Typical overall file transfer speeds are about 3 Mbytes/s. The highest current overall file transfer speeds are about 10-25 Mbytes/s. Older, "full speed" 12 Mbit/s devices are limited to a maximum of about 1 Mbytes/s.
Typical overall file transfer speeds are about 3 Mbytes/s. The highest current overall file transfer speeds are about 10-25 Mbytes/s. Older, "full speed" 12 Mbit/s devices are limited to a maximum of about 1 Mbytes/s.
First invention and sale
Several companies claim to be the first to have invented the USB Flash Drive in 1998 through 2000. Trek was the first company to sell a USB Flash Drive (ThumbDrive) in early 2000. However, their patent does not describe the USB Flash Drive; instead, it describes a very broad family of storage devices, of which the USB Flash Drive is one.
M-Systems (accquired by SanDisk in November 2006 [2]) has been working on developing the USB Flash Drive since 1998. The domain www.diskonkey.com was registered by them on October 12, 1999 [3] and indicates that the USB Flash Drive was already in development. In 2000 Dan Harkabi joined the M-System team and led the development of DiskOnKey. The industrial design was done by Ziba and the product won the IDEA award in 2001. M-System's patent rigorously describes the USB Flash Drive and its implementation.
The Singapore Court of Appeals confirmed the validity of Trek Technology's patent for its ThumbDrive, calling it "novel and inventive" in the decision published in The Straits Times. The city-state's highest court also quashed the plea of four companies—Israeli firm M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers, Electec, FE Global Electronics and Singapore-based Ritronics Components—and ordered them to stop selling similar devices. The decision is expected to have a ripple effect on other similar law suits which the Trek group has pending in Britain, Japan and Taiwan.
Netac Technology of Shenzhen, China also hold a 1999 Chinese and 2004 US patent on USB flash technology which they have licensed to major manufacturers
M-Systems (accquired by SanDisk in November 2006 [2]) has been working on developing the USB Flash Drive since 1998. The domain www.diskonkey.com was registered by them on October 12, 1999 [3] and indicates that the USB Flash Drive was already in development. In 2000 Dan Harkabi joined the M-System team and led the development of DiskOnKey. The industrial design was done by Ziba and the product won the IDEA award in 2001. M-System's patent rigorously describes the USB Flash Drive and its implementation.
The Singapore Court of Appeals confirmed the validity of Trek Technology's patent for its ThumbDrive, calling it "novel and inventive" in the decision published in The Straits Times. The city-state's highest court also quashed the plea of four companies—Israeli firm M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers, Electec, FE Global Electronics and Singapore-based Ritronics Components—and ordered them to stop selling similar devices. The decision is expected to have a ripple effect on other similar law suits which the Trek group has pending in Britain, Japan and Taiwan.
Netac Technology of Shenzhen, China also hold a 1999 Chinese and 2004 US patent on USB flash technology which they have licensed to major manufacturers
Internals of a typical flash drive
Internals of a typical flash drive
(Saitek brand USB1.1 pictured)
1 USB connector
2 USB mass storage controller device
3 Test points
4 Flash memory chip
5 Crystal oscillator
6 LED
7 Write-protect switch
8 Space for second flash memory chip
USB flash drive
USB flash drives are NAND-type flash memory data storage devices integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) interface. They are typically small, lightweight, removable and rewritable. As of April 2007, memory capacities for USB Flash Drives currently are sold from 32 megabytes up to 64 gigabytes [1]. Capacity is limited only by current flash memory densities, although cost per megabyte may increase rapidly at higher capacities due to the expensive components. (USB Memory card readers are also available, whereby rather than being built-in, the memory is a removable Flash memory card housed in what is otherwise a regular USB flash drive, as described below.)
USB flash drives offer potential advantages over other portable storage devices, particularly the floppy disk. They are more compact, generally faster, hold more data, and are more reliable (due to both their lack of moving parts, and their more durable design) than floppy disks. These types of drives use the USB mass storage standard, supported natively by modern operating systems such as Linux, Mac OS X, Unix, and Windows.
A flash drive consists of a small printed circuit board typically in a plastic or metal casing, making the drive sturdy enough to be carried about in a pocket, as a key fob, or on a lanyard. Only the USB connector protrudes from this protection, and is usually covered by a removable cap. Most flash drives use a standard type-A USB connection allowing them to be connected directly to a port on a personal computer.
To access the data stored in a flash drive, the drive must be connected to a computer, either by plugging it into a USB host controller built into the computer, or into a USB hub. Flash drives are active only when plugged into a USB connection and draw all necessary power from the supply provided by that connection. However, some flash drives, especially high-speed drives utilizing the USB 2.0 standard, may require more power than the limited amount provided by a bus-powered USB hub, such as those built into some computer keyboards or monitors. These drives will not work unless plugged directly into a host controller (i.e., the ports found on the computer itself) or a self-powered hub.
USB flash drives offer potential advantages over other portable storage devices, particularly the floppy disk. They are more compact, generally faster, hold more data, and are more reliable (due to both their lack of moving parts, and their more durable design) than floppy disks. These types of drives use the USB mass storage standard, supported natively by modern operating systems such as Linux, Mac OS X, Unix, and Windows.
A flash drive consists of a small printed circuit board typically in a plastic or metal casing, making the drive sturdy enough to be carried about in a pocket, as a key fob, or on a lanyard. Only the USB connector protrudes from this protection, and is usually covered by a removable cap. Most flash drives use a standard type-A USB connection allowing them to be connected directly to a port on a personal computer.
To access the data stored in a flash drive, the drive must be connected to a computer, either by plugging it into a USB host controller built into the computer, or into a USB hub. Flash drives are active only when plugged into a USB connection and draw all necessary power from the supply provided by that connection. However, some flash drives, especially high-speed drives utilizing the USB 2.0 standard, may require more power than the limited amount provided by a bus-powered USB hub, such as those built into some computer keyboards or monitors. These drives will not work unless plugged directly into a host controller (i.e., the ports found on the computer itself) or a self-powered hub.
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