New Apricorn, CoSoSys drives let users carry their PC data

- Gary Thayer, Editor

September 20, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- In separate announcements, Apricorn and CoSoSys each released updates to their USB drives for storing, carrying, and backing up PC data.

Apricorn announced MicroKey, its USB-IF certified memory key available in 4GB and 6GB capacities (US $159 and $199 respectively.) MicroKey has a crush-resistant aluminum alloy casing and shock mounting, insulating the 1" HDD from vibration and shock. Its swivel interface allows access to virtually any USB port, according to Apricorn. It measures 3.4" x 2" x .50" and weighs 2.5 ounces.

MicroKey is hot swappable with plug-n-play features, with a data transfer rate up to 480Mbps. The MicroKey has been built to comply with RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) standards, and includes a one-year warranty.

Included with are a protective carrying case, one-meter USB cable extension, and Second Copy 2000 Synchronizing Software and Cryptainer Encryption Software. Software bundle features include Cryptainer 128bit encryption software, along with Second Copy 2000 synchronizing software, which allows for file sharing between multiple PCs.

To use MicroKey, users must have a PC with a Pentium CPU, at least 32MB RAM, USB port, and CD ROM drive. The PC must run Windows 2000, XP, Mac OS 9.2 and later or Mac OS 10.x and later.

Apricorn's MicroKey is currently available in the US, Canada and online at apricorn.com. It retails for US $159 for 4GB version and $199 for 6GB. For more information on Apricorn, see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

CoSoSys has announced a new version of its Carry it Easy application for its U3 line of what it calls "smart drives", or USB hard drives with pre-loaded synchronization software.

The new Carry it Easy is meant to be an all-in-one application that lets users carry and manage files, e-mails and internet favorites. Carry it Easy is designed to be started from the U3 smart drives launchpad and can be downloaded from the U3 Software Central.

The My Documents synchronization function allows the users to load important documents. The portable e-mail function lets users copy their Outlook Express data on the drive and even run it from the drive on other computers. E-mails can be sent, contacts added and when returning to the home computer everything can be restored, according to CoSoSys.

To save space on the drive, a "zip" button also lets users compress their data. Carry it Easy has a status bar that displays at a glance how much space is left on the U3 smart drive and a USB Info tab that lets the user see useful details about the smart drive.

The Internet functions provide those who switch computers often with several advantages. Carry it Easy lets users synchronize their Internet Explorer Favorites and Firefox Bookmarks and then access them from another computer. Any changes that are made can be saved and then synchronized back.

With the No Trace Browsing function the users can surf the Internet and leave no trace behind on the used host computer, since all the browsing-related data (cookies, history, cache) is stored on the U3 smart drive and can be deleted afterwards, leaving the host computer unmodified, according to CoSoSys.

Carry it Easy also offers a USB Lost & Found mechanism that allows the user to write down contact information in case the U3 smart drive is lost. The finder will be able to read the contact data and return the U3 smart drive to the owner.

Carry it Easy is Windows 2000 and XP compatible and it requires administrative rights on the computers used. The software is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Traditional Chinese.

CoSoSys is selling Carry it Easy for US $19.95 until December 31 2005. The software has a 30-day free trial period during which the users have full access to all the functions. Current users of Carry it Easy will be able to get the U3 Edition for free. For more information or to download Carry It Easy, see cososys.com.

Recent Related Stories:

Apricorn ups mini USB hard drive to 60GB

Migo remote PC access software adds USB compatibility

Back to MobileVillage News Page