USB drive functions as a mobile workspace

Mobility firm U3 has unveiled the first products based on its Smart Drive platform, which enables USB Flash drives to store applications and data and could remove the need for some staff to carry a laptop with them.

Users access the applications by plugging the device into any Windows PC. " The goal is to be able to take your personal workspace with you," said U3 vice-president of marketing Andrea Butter. Available applications will include an email client that lets staff carry their inbox around with them.

U3 is backed by Flash disk companies SanDisk and M-Systems, which will make and sell Smart Drives along with other Flash vendors. The first products will be shown at the Demofall technology show in California .

Each Smart Drive has a built-in user interface called Launchpad, with which users can access applications, configure preferences and download new applications from the web. No user data is left on the host PC after the Smart Drive is removed, according to U3.

Some Smart Drives may be sold with pre-installed applications, but users are free to add or remove software, Butter said.

Check Point, McAfee, Corel and Trend Micro have already pledged applications such as virus scanners and messaging tools for Smart Drives. The first products work only with PCs running Windows 2000 or XP, but Mac support is planned.