Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/17/verbatim_flashdisc/
Yesterday, we reported on Memorex's disk-shaped 16MB USB Flash drive, the company's newly announced bit to bring those few remaining floppy disk users into the sold-state storage era. Today, we learn Verbatim is getting in on the act too - with exactly the same product.
The company's European operation has announced FlashDisc, a 16MB USB Flash drive that looks like a 1970s magnetic tape reel that splits in two to reveal a USB connector. It's selling the product in packs of three - comprising one blue, one red and one yellow drive - for £14.
Judging from the pics, the Verbatim product and the Memorex offering are identical. Europeans buying a FlashDisc will get Verbatim-branded units, while their North American counterparts will see the Memorex name on the packaging.
So who is the source of these odd items? Step forward Flash memory specialist M-Systems, which launched FlashDisc this week as "an exciting new category poised to radically transform the way people share their data".
M-Systems said the product would come to market through "global brand partners" - Verbatim and Memorex, presumably, though M-Systems didn't name names.
It did claim "FlashDisc is the floppy reincarnated in USB flash drive form. A floppy diskette - made smarter." Apparently. ®
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/05/sony_launches_tiny_flas_drive/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/16/ibm_magnetic_breakthrough/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/10/kowon_antiglance_lcd_specs/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/12/buffalo_brin/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/07/kanguru_pricey_64gb_flash_disk/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/29/nand_flash_price_plunge/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/28/ibuzz_ships_in_us/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/28/elecom_mouse-in-a-box/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/21/maxfield_max-joy/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/16/memorex_flashdisc/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/31/imation_flash_wriststrap/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/19/iocell_phone_drive/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/05/u3_gains_openoffice/