Fremont, Calif. — Lexar announced last week that it started shipping its JumpDrive Lightning USB flash drives loaded with its PowerToGo software platform.
PowerToGo functions similar to the rival flash-drive operating system U3 — developed by SanDisk and M-Systems — in that it can store and run computer programs directly from the drive, without leaving any trace files on a host PC. Unlike U3 drives, however, PowerToGo can run standard Windows programs after downloading the $29 InstallAnything program.
Once loaded onto a PowerToGo drive, InstallAnything lets users install and run standard Windows applications from the drive.
The new drives will also ship preloaded with EverNote software for capturing and storing information and Secure II encryption software. The drives will be available in 1GB and 2GB capacities for a suggested $79 and $129, respectively.
Lexar also announced a higher performance Professional 8GB CompactFlash card. The new card will feature a 20MBps sustained write speed, or a speed rating of 133X.
Like all Lexar Professional flash-memory cards, the new 8GB CF includes Lexar’s Image Rescue data recovery software and Corel’s image editor, Paint Shop Pro 9.
The 8GB 133x CF card will ship in August for a suggested $424.
