U3 GLOBAL DEVELOPER SUMMIT, SAN JOSE, Calif., June 7, 2005 — U3™ LLC, creator of the U3 smart drive computing platform, and Skype, the Global Internet Telephony Company™, today announced a new version of Skype’s VOIP-category product compatible with the U3 platform. Skype users, who can make free calls anywhere in the world, will be able to use a U3 powered USB smart drive to transport and access their Skype account wherever they go. Skype will demonstrate its new application running on a U3 powered USB smart drive at the first U3 Global Developer Summit, which begins today at the San Jose Marriott.
U3 powered USB smart drives transform the USB flash drive into a private, portable and protected workspace that simply plugs into any PC running Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Users not only access data but launch personal applications, such as Skype, from their smart drive through a user-friendly interface, called the U3 Launchpad. U3 makes computing more mobile and secure, since the U3 platform is designed to give access not just to data but applications and personal settings too, yet leave no trace of the user’s data on the host computer once the U3 powered USB smart drive is removed. When finished using their personal Skype software, users simply unplug the U3 powered USB smart drive and move on, with full confidence that no personal information has been left behind.
“We are delivering greater platform and portability options for consumers looking to take advantage of the cost and quality benefits of modern communications from Skype,” said Niklas Zennström, CEO and co-founder of Skype. “In collaboration with U3, we’re delivering a new tool for Skype enthusiasts to carry access to their Skype client on a keychain, anywhere in the world, using a U3 powered USB smart drive.”
“Consumers and road warriors who like to stay connected are the real winners in the relationship between U3 and Skype” said Kate Purmal, chief executive officer of U3. “With their Skype software loaded on a U3 powered USB smart drive, users can rest assured that their phone numbers, voice mail, and contact lists are stored safely and securely, and accessible on Windows-based PCs wherever they travel.”
Skype will be available for all U3 powered USB smart drives this fall.
About U3
U3™ LLC of Redwood City, Calif., has developed an innovative platform to make USB smart drives that host a “personal workspace” –- not only data and files, but software programs, personal user preferences and the means for managing them. U3 powered USB smart drives transform a PC into a truly personalized computer, quickly, easily and securely, and exit transparently when done. U3, backed by USB flash drive market leaders M-Systems (NASDAQ: FLSH) and SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), licenses its platform to USB drive manufacturers. For more information see www.U3.com.
