By Spencer Chin

EE Times

January 07, 2005 (12:06 PM EST)

MANHASSET, N.Y. — M-Systems and SanDisk Corp. have created a new hardware and software platform, designated U3, that the companies expect to expand the USB flash drive market beyond storage.

M-Systems and SanDisk, both of Sunnyvale, Calif., intend U3 to transform USB flash drives into consumer products people can use to carry, store and launch their own applications and data on any PC wherever they go. M-Systems and SanDisk will provide IP and technical expertise for the U3 platform.

According to both companies, vendor-specific solutions have emerged in an attempt to use USB flash drives for more than storage. However, these efforts have been hampered by a lack of the standardization required to ensure multi-vendor interoperability and compatibility.

The U3 platform includes a hardware specification as well as Application Program Interfaces (APIs) for software developers to access the unique mobility and security features available on these devices. U3 drives will contain a Launch Pad desktop interface to simplify viewing, launching, downloading and managing all U3-compliant applications stored on the devices.

U3`s goal is to attract software developers by providing access to a growing base of U3-enabled devices. U3 plans to support developers with development tools, business and technical support and a Web-based distribution channel where millions of users will be able to easily purchase and download U3-compatible applications.

``Software applications for flash drives have been largely developed for proprietary devices with limited market opportunity,`` said Joe Unsworth, an analyst at Gartner Inc. ``Creating a unified standard for USB drive application development will fuel innovation and foster cross-vendor compatibility.``

The first U3-compliant devices are expected to ship by this summer.