Storage: Sandisk Introduces New USB ImageMate; SanDisk ImageMate is a Low-Cost, Easy-To-Use External CompactFlash Drive for Desktop PCs and the New Apple iMAC - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Nov 2, 1998

SanDisk Corporation Tuesday introduced the USB version of its ImageMate CompactFlash reader/writer external drive for PC and iMAC desktop computers. The ImageMate, previously only available with parallel port connectivity, allows digital camera owners to quickly and easily transfer images from CompactFlash (CF) digital film cards to a desktop computer.

The new Universal Serial Bus (USB) ImageMate will support the new Windows 98 platform as well as the new iMac and will be available in retail channels beginning in late November. Nelson Chan, vice president of marketing, said, "This new USB ImageMate continues SanDisk's strategy of designing products using standardized interfaces and connectivity. With USB connectivity, we expand the market for CompactFlash because we can now offer Macintosh users the same complete solution to quickly and easily transfer images from digital cameras to the computer desktop that we provide for Windows PC platforms. The USB connectivity standard for peripheral devices and desktop computers enable desktop computers to connect up to 127 various peripheral devices to one port." "Innovations like the ImageMate reader continue to make SanDisk an important ally for Kodak," said Lori Broache, vice president, Worldwide Marketing, Digital & Applied Imaging, Eastman Kodak Company. "The combination of USB connectivity with Windows and Macintosh compatibility clearly make this product an important one for the digital photography market." The ImageMate, an external mouse-like device, allows consumers to transfer images from a digital camera's CompactFlash (CF) card at least 20 times faster than by employing the serial port (on the camera) connection method frequently used today. No AC adapters are needed for either the parallel port or USB versions of the ImageMate. The parallel port ImageMate receives current from an adapter shared with the PC keyboard while the USB ImageMate draws current through the USB port. The images on a 10MB CF card can be transferred to a desktop computer in less than 20 seconds. Once images are transferred, the consumer can reuse the CF card to capture more images. Both parallel port and USB version of the ImageMate have an MSRP of $89. SanDisk CompactFlash memory cards are available in capacities ranging between 4 and 48MB in many leading retail camera, computer and consumer electronics outlets. SanDisk is the only company that offers a 10 Million Picture Guarantee with every SanDisk CompactFlash memory card sold. The ImageMate also provides a quick and easy way to transfer data and audio files to and from desktop computers which have been stored on a CF cards using a handheld PC, Palm-sized PC or a digital voice recorder. SanDisk Corporation, the world's largest supplier of flash data storage products, designs, manufactures and markets industry-standard, solid-state data, digital imaging and audio storage products using its patented, high density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk is based in Sunnyvale. FMI: http://www.sandisk.com