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FlashDiscs hold 16MB and connect via USB. Nothing new in that, but unlike USB flash drives that are widely in use, these are designed to be cheap enough to make them a cost-effective and easy way to pass files around.

'Every day, more and more laptops and PCs are being sold without floppy drives, but USB ports have now become totally ubiquitous,' said Scott Elrich, director of marketing, personal storage devices, Memorex. 'Memorex FlashDiscs can be used virtually anywhere and are durable enough to toss in a briefcase or backpack without the need for a protective case. And, unlike a diskette, solid state FlashDisc memory is extremely resistant to adverse environmental conditions, including magnetic fields, heat and humidity.'

FlashDisc is being sold in packs of three, costing less than $20 (European pricing has not been confirmed). The discs are colour-coded and, like the floppy of yore, include an area for labelling.