Dazzle 6 in 1 Card Reader

Smart cards, and all removeable/portable media for that matter, are handy little gadgets. However, since you probably don't choose your portable devices based on the type of media they accept, you might get stuck with a couple (or more than a couple) of different cards in different formats. Sure, most devices have a USB cable that lets you attach your camera or other device to your computer, but isn't that kind of like needing a USB cable to transfer files from a floppy disk? If they're not portable and readable, what's the point of making them removable? SCM Microsystems thinks it has a solution that will let you copy the myriad varieties of smart cards without hooking up each device to the USB tether. At COMDEX Fall 2001 , the company plans to unveil a little Windows XP-ready (seems like everything is this week) device that lets you transfer digital content from a variety of media. The Dazzle 6 in 1 accepts six different types of digital media in one dual-slot design. The company says the gadget can read any flash media from any digital device and is upgradeable for future formats. It accepts all media form factors including CompactFlash Type I and II, IBM Microdrive, SmartMedia, SD Card, MultiMediaCard, and Sony Memory Stick. The two slots also work concurrently, letting you transfer data directly between the media. For newer operating systems like Windows Me/XP, the Dazzle 6 in 1 requires no additional software drivers to be installed. It will be available in November, 2001 at an MSRP of $69.99.