Fremont, CA — (press release excerpt) — M-Systems today unveiled a new, universal, portable secured data storage device based on flash memory. The new DiskOnKey is an ergonomically designed pocketable, pen-sized device. It is based on pair of M-Systems patents: one for the TrueFFS flash file system technology, and another for the newly developed DiskOnKey technology. Because it connects directly into a USB port, the new DiskOnKey is compatible with all systems that support USB.

According to M-Systems sources, several top-tier computer manufacturers have expressed interest in the small and highly portable DiskOnKey product as an alternative to the portable floppy drive and the 3.5″ diskette. Being based on internal flash memory components the compact, self-contained, lightweight product has no moving parts, and is far more reliable than the traditional diskette. The current maximum capacity of the device is 32 megabytes, roughly equivalent to the capacity of up to 22 diskettes, enabling users to easily move large data files such as music files or digital camera files between electronic devices with a USB port. No portable floppy drive, cables or readers are required, since the DiskOnKey product plugs directly into the popular USB port on PCs, laptops and many Internet appliances.

Operation of the DiskOnKey product is simple, requiring no additional software or hardware and no power supply or batteries. The product can be plugged into, or unplugged from, a USB port at any time during the computer's operation. Immediately upon installation, the device is recognized by and functions as an additional disk drive within the host computer's operating system. The device is operating-system independent, enabling easy movement of data between Windows-, Macintosh-, and Linux-based systems. Furthermore, the product is an “active device,” which means it has its own CPU and is therefore capable of supporting and running multiple applications directly from the product, such as automatic log-in.

Dov Moran, M-Systems' president, stated: “Our revolutionary device makes it easy for people to carry and access meaningful data at all times. Your critical files, your favorite music, your important phone numbers and your children's photos all reside on a product that fits in your pocket and even plugs into a friend's computer for access. For this reason, I believe that our DiskOnKey product line will share in the great success of our DiskOnChip product line. We will continue to invest resources to make the DiskOnKey an even greater success.”

M-Systems is launching the DiskOnKey product following 18 months of development. The product will be available initially in capacities of 8 MB, 16 MB, and 32 MB, with higher capacities planned for the near future. It will be demonstrated at COMDEX/Fall at the Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall, Booth NS417/NS419. Work also has begun on developing exciting new applications that can reside on the device, with additional product introductions planned during the first half of 2001.

 
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