U3 is a relatively new development for the USB device. This group are promoting the use of a self contained computing platfrom on a stick. Plug your USB stick into the PC and a mini start up menu pops up, just like Windows does, of all the applications loaded on you stick. Just load and run, you always have your computing resource with you.

The U3 platform intends to enable hardware manufacturers and software developers to create U3 aware products. With a standard to work from hardware and software vendors have an easier time of developing or adapting applications more easily.

To quote from the U3 website "Imagine carrying your favourite software, preferences, profiles and data on a device no bigger than a pack of gum. With a U3 smart drive, you can plug into any Windows XP or 2000 PC and be productive wherever you are. Work, play a game, message friends, send email, edit photos, all without worrying if applications are installed on the computer. We call it smart drive computing. You'll call it convenient."

But you cannot convert an existing device into U3 compatible one. If you already have a flash drive and would like to have the functionality of a U3 device you can try PStart. A small program that runs on your device providing a menu of programs and data to work with. This program is so portable it will also work on CD's providing the same sort of facilities.

The U3 organisation don't have everything to themselves, some of the bigger manufacturers pre-load software from companies such as CoSoSys with their range of Carry it Easy software utilised by Swissbit flash drives, available on our featured page. There is also the software loaded by the likes of Verbatim and Lexar from Ceedo who also have on offer a personal edition.