Seagate formally announced the Digital Audio Video Experience (D.A.V.E.) technology, delivering 10-20 GB of wireless storage in an accessory smaller than many common slim-line mobile phones.
Previously code-named "Crickett", DAVE technology is designed to store, play and share digital files on mobile phones, PCs, and other wireless-enabled devices.
The Dave drive is expected to debut with a 10 GB 1" perpendicular hard drive in the second quarter of this year. Using Bluetooth or WiFi connections, DAVE offers storage capacity without impacting the design or cost of mobile handsets. Built for portability and about the size of a centimeter-thick credit card, the DAVE mobile platform slips conveniently into a shirt pocket, backpack, or purse - anywhere up to 30 feet (9.1 meters) from the phone. In addition, the mobile storage platform is open source, enabling third party software developers to create new applications for the mobile phone utilizing the hard drive's capacity.
"Products using DAVE technology will enable digital content, whether for business or entertainment use, to be stored, moved, and connected in ways never before possible. Mobile carriers can use this technology for creating value from their investments in high-bandwidth networks, and mobile handset manufacturers have another tool for turning the multimedia phone into the center of the mobile consumer's digital life," said Patrick King, senior vice president and general manager of Seagate's consumer electronics business unit.
The DAVE mobile storage platform is expected to be available to cell phone manufacturers and telco service providers for products in the second calendar quarter of 2007. The Dave drive will offer higher capacity than the 4 GB integrated hard drive storage of the Nokia N91 music phone or the currently available 2Gb SD cards. What's left is to see whether Seagate will offer it at a competitive price.