Features - Storage Innovations:

IMATION LAUNCHES UNIQUE USB SWIVEL FLASH DRIVES

Imation Corp, a worldwide leader in removable data storage media, announced its entrance into the flash market with its unique line of USB 2.0 Swivel Flash Drives, available in capacities ranging from 128MB to 512MB. Designed for business users and consumers, the new Imation USB 2.0 Swivel Flash Drives combine flash memory technology with the convenience of a USB connection and a unique "never-lose" swivel cap design to deliver an easy, portable means of protecting, transferring and sharing digital information.

"Imation is committed to delivering the broadest portfolio of removable data storage media in order to meet the worldwide demands of our customers," said Dave Ferraresi, vice president of Imation's Personal Storage Media business. "Adding this line of unique USB flash drives to our portfolio is a testament to our commitment to provide our worldwide customers with data storage products they can trust with their valuable digital content."

Flash continues to evolve and expand as an ideal medium of choice for many digital applications, including business presentations, personal files, music downloads or any digital content that needs to be temporarily stored for transfer or transport. According to Understanding and Solutions, flash drive sales worldwide are expected to grow 85 percent, with sales of more than 33.5 million units in 2004. Gartner estimates that the flash media market will become a $7.7 billion dollar market by 2008; and other industry research suggests that the flash format could account for up to 45 percent of the personal storage media market by 2008.

Weighing less than one ounce, the Imation USB 2.0 Swivel Flash Drive plugs directly into the USB port of any computer and can easily store digital information such as documents, music, presentations, photos and more. The high-speed USB swivel flash drive reads at 8MB per second and writes at 7MB per second, and the drive's plug-and-play format allows users to drag and drop files between drive and desktop. Optional public/private drive partitioning and password protection software can save data from accidental erasure or unauthorized access. The small size (about the size of an AA battery) makes the light- weight drive highly portable, fitting conveniently onto a supplied lanyard or attached to a key ring.

"The Imation USB 2.0 Swivel Flash Drive provides a unique, professional design that makes the drive easier to carry and use, and the data easier to protect - - meeting a key market need of our global customers," said Bob Barr, director of sales and marketing for Imation's Personal Storage Media business. "The USB swivel flash drive is unique from other flash drives on the market because it features a patented swivel cap design that guarantees you will never lose the cap."