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Monday 11th March 2002

Standard set for removable hard drives 5:22PM, Monday 11th March 2002

Eight Japanese IT companies have agreed the basic specifications for a removable hard drive that they hope will change the way data is stored on computers, replacing the embedded hard drives where applications, files and operating systems are traditionally kept.

The iVDR (information versatile disk for removable storage) Consortium has agreed the specifications, including hardware, interface and file system, for 2.5in drives and plans to work towards a similar agreement for 1.8in drives.

The 2.5 unit [pictured] measures 130x80x12.7mm and contains a two-platter drive and a shock absorber;

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space has been left for the addition of a security system. The 50-pin connection is designed for 10,000 insertions and removals. The drives will not conform to Microsoft's Windows file system, but instead will use UDF, the format currently used for optical disks, which should guarantee cross-platform compatibility.

The consortium is hoping that removable drives will play an increasing role, allowing users to move content between computers and other digital devices, such as video players and in-car entertainment systems. Users will also be able to carry around their own operating system configuration and data and simply plug it into any available machine.

The iVDR Consortium comprises Canon, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Pioneer, Sanyo, Sharp, JVC and the Japanese division of Phoenix Technologies, soon to be joined by Mitsumi and FCI Japan. However the two leading 2.5in drive companies - IBM and Toshiba - are not members.

Simon Aughton

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