Addonics new portable flash reader
By
Mike Tomkins
(Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 23:51 EDT)
Addonics Technologies Inc. has today announced a new flash card reader that combines portability with compatibility, and a high-speed interface to boot.
The Pocket UltraDigiDrive is available in versions with a USB 2.0 connection or an IEEE 1394 FireWire connection, and features a full-sized Type-II PCMCIA slot, which with appropriate adapters can also accept CompactFlash Type-I and Type-II, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, Multimediacard or Microdrive. On the USB 2.0 connection, Addonics quotes transfer rates of up to 60MB/sec; the company rates the FireWire model at 50MB/sec.
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Addonics' Pocket UltraDigiDrive, system layout. |
One important point to note is that the FireWire version of the device - unlike the USB variant - may require an AC adapter (somewhat limiting its portability) depending on your FireWire variant. Sony's iLink, for example, is compatible with FireWire but lacks the two pins used for line powering, hence necessitating the AC adapter. Another advantage of the USB version of the drive (which should also be backwards compatible with USB 1, but without the significant performance benefits) can also be used as a bootable device if your computer's BIOS supports this.
Pricing for the FireWire version is $119 inclusive of the AC adapter, somewhat more expensive than the $89 USB 2.0 version. If you want a bundle with the 4-in-1 DigiAdapter and CF DigiAdapter to read all of the flash formats listed previously, then you'll need to add a further $60, for a total price of $179 (FireWire) or $149 (USB 2.0). Both versions of the drive weigh 8 ounces, and have dimensions of 4.63 x 5.4 x 0.98 inches.
The Pocket UltraDigiDrive supports Windows 98/SE, Me, 2000 and XP. There's also support for Linux kernel 2.4 or higher, and Mac OS X - but users of the latter, take note: you will not get the full speed benefit, as on your machines the UltraDigiDrive supports USB 1.1 only. The device comes with a one year warranty, and is certified for storage conditions from -20 to +60 celsius, at 5 - 90% humidity.
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The Pocket UltraDigiDrive close-up. |
Source:
Addonics Technologies Inc.
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Original Source Press Release:
| New Addonics Flash Reader/Writer and PC Card Hard Drive Puts Nine Media Storage Types in Your "Pocket" SAN JOSE, CA (August 22, 2002) - Addonics Technologies today announced a portable storage solution for users confounded by the incompatibility of the numerous Flash media storage options in today's digital cameras, camcorders, PDAs, MP3 players, and voice recorders.
Addonics allows you to put nine popular formats in your pocket. The new Addonics Pocket UDD™ (Ultra DigiDrive) is the first USB 2.0 external data storage Reader/Writer for PC Card (PCMCIA) hard drives and the most popular form factors of Flash memory cards. It supports today's popular digital media storage formats and doubles as a PC Card hard drive reader/writer.
The Pocket UDD is also the fastest external data storage Reader/Writer that connects to any computer or equipment with USB 2.0 or FireWire interface. Maximum data transfer rates are 60MB/sec with USB 2.0 or 50MB/sec with FireWire.
Standard PC Card hard drives and ATA Flash cards can be added and removed from the Pocket UDD like any removable media. To read/write to other flash media, Addonics provides the adapters to convert the flash media to PCMCIA form factor. The adapters can be purchased separately or as a bundled solution. When used with the Addonics optional CF DigiAdapter or the 4-in-1 DigiAdapter, the Pocket UDD can also read/write to all popular Flash media including: CF-I, CF-II, Smart Media™, Memory stick™, Secure Digital Card™, Multimedia Card™ or Micro Drive™.
Users can boot their system from the Addonics Pocket UDD via the USB port depending on the BIOS support on each computer. The mobility, fast data transfer rates, flexible USB or FireWire design interface, and support for nine media types make the Addonics IDE Ultra DigiDrive an indispensable storage device for all mobile users and desktop PCs.
The base model Addonics Pocket UDD with USB 2.0 interface cable has a list price of $89, or $119 with FireWire interface cable and A/C power adapter. The 9-in-1 Pocket UDD models come bundled with the Addonics 4-in-1 DigiAdapter, the CF DigiAdapter, and USB 2.0 or FireWire cable and have a list price of $149 for the USB 2.0 version or $179 for the FireWire version.
The Pocket UDD supports Windows 98/SE, Me, 2000, XP, Mac OS X (support USB 1.1 only), and Linux kernel 2.4 or higher. The device measures 4.63 in (W) x 5.4 in (D) x .98in (H) and weighs just eight ounces.
Addonics products are available through major catalog companies, resellers, VARs and distributors, including StorageUSA.com, Amazon.com, PC Connection, CDW, Buy.com, Insight, Ingram Micro, and Ma Lab.
Addonics Technologies Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets a broad line of external storage products. Addonics is headquartered at 2466 Kruse Drive, San Jose, CA 95131, Phone: 408-433-3899. Visit Addonics at www.addonics.com
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