Phoenix Technologies FirstBIOS enables USB 2.0 high-speed mass storage devices

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Sept 9, 2002

Phoenix Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:PTEC) recently announced that its FirstBIOS has been enhanced to boot high-speed USB 2.0 devices without requiring the installation of operating system (OS) drivers. VIA Technologies, Inc. (TSE2388), a leading innovator and developer of PC core logic chipsets, microprocessors, and multimedia, communications, optical media and networking chips, will license the technology.

The enhanced FirstBIOS adds extensibility of USB peripherals directly through the BIOS, delivering faster connection, high-speed data transfers, fast OS loading, direct CD/DVD access, or disaster recovery for external USB devices such as disk drives and CD-ROMs. USB 2.0 extends the popular USB interface by increasing the data rate 40 times to 480Mbps, while retaining complete backwards compatibility with the previous USB 1.1 standard interface and USB compatible devices.

"We are delighted to be working with Phoenix in enabling innovative features such as the high-speed USB 2.0 boot functionality using our USB 2.0 host controller from our new VIA VT8235 South Bridge," said Ted Lee, vice president of sales and marketing for VIA Technologies, Inc. "This unique technology not only increases the performance of USB 2.0 devices, but it also greatly enhances the user experience."

"VIA is a leading supplier of motherboard solutions, chipsets, and CPUs for motherboard makers around the world," said Timothy D. Eades, senior vice president and general manager, Corporate Marketing and Products Division at Phoenix. "Our partnership with VIA and other chip vendors places Phoenix in a strategic position to service the global computing market."