Seagate Enables the Transformation of the Mobile Phone Experience With the Introduction of 'DAVE' Technology

Adds gigabytes of wireless storage to mobile devices; will enable network

operators to monetize investments in high-speed multimedia networks

    PALM DESERT, Calif., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Seagate
 Technology ( STX) today formally announced the Digital Audio Video
 Experience (D.A.V.E(TM)) technology -- the project previously code-named
 "Crickett" -- at the DEMO 07 Conference. Having already created significant
 buzz in the mobile phone community, the DAVE platform is an enabling
 technology that delivers 10-20 GB of wireless storage in an accessory
 smaller than many common slim-line mobile phones. DAVE technology is
 designed to store, play and share digital files on mobile phones, PCs, and
 other wireless-enabled devices.
     Using Bluetooth(1) or WiFi(2) connections, DAVE is the answer to
 providing substantial 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 unmatched capacity and
 performance. The DAVE technology is offered to telcos and mobile handset
 OEMs for sale under their respective brand names.
     "Mobile telephony is undergoing a multimedia revolution, and the DAVE
 mobile content platform will provide even more fuel for the growth of new
 music and video services over mobile networks," said Patrick King, senior
 vice president and general manager of Seagate's consumer electronics
 business unit. "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."
     The push to monetize massive investments in high-speed wireless
 networks has accelerated new service offerings worldwide, including mobile
 TV, digital music, digital video, personal blogging and more. According to
 Frost & Sullivan, the number of mobile video download subscribers will jump
 to nearly five million in 2010 as compared to roughly 250,000 mobile video
 download subscribers in 2006.
     "I am pleased to have Seagate introduce its DAVE mobile platform to the
 world at DEMO 07," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of the DEMO
 Conferences. "DEMO introduces products and technologies that will
 dynamically change market trends and Seagate's DAVE technology definitely
 falls into this category, offering exciting new capabilities to our mobile
 world."
     DAVE Technology Transforms the Mobile Phone Experience
     Using products based on the DAVE storage platform, consumers will now
 be able to store all of their mobile media on one device for access when,
 where, and how they want. The DAVE technology lets consumers combine their
 audio and video files downloaded through mobile networks with entertainment
 and other content side-loaded from PCs or other devices for a fully
 customized, personalized mobile experience.
     --  Makes upgrading mobile phones easy -- storing content on a DAVE-based
         device makes upgrading a mobile phone fast and easy.  Simply pair the
         device to the new handset, and start enjoying digital content on the
         new phone in just minutes.
     --  Turns the mobile phone into a DVR/MP3 powerhouse -- consumers can now
         download video from mobile phone networks; grab music from online,
         mobile, or PC libraries; load audiobooks or GPS data; and use all of
         that data as needed when on-the-go.  The 10GB version will make 2,500
         songs or 21 hours of video available to mobile consumers all the time,
         anywhere.
     --  Increases use of mobile entertainment networks and data services --
         with massive storage capacity, mobile network operators can now offer
         consumers the opportunity to download and enjoy large media and data
         files.  With video files downloaded to products based on the DAVE
         platform instead of streamed through the mobile network, video can now
         be delivered without latency or coverage issues.  DAVE-based products
         will also enable new business models for high-bandwidth networks, such
         as try-and-buy content, that offer real value for consumers.
     --  Enables mobile lifeblogging and other social networking
         applications -- the ability to record massive video and photo files on
         the mobile phone, edit and annotate content, then upload to social
         networking sites such as YouTube or MySpace is now mobile and
         spontaneous.  Consumers can also use the DAVE technology features to
         share the content with other mobile phones, PCs, wireless-enabled
         cameras, or even other DAVE mobile storage devices.
 
     Ideal For Portable Use with Long-Lasting Battery Performance
     The DAVE reference design is about the size of a centimeter-thick
 credit card, with dimensions of 3.5 x 4.7 x .47 inches (61 x 89 x 12 mm)
 and weighing only 2.5 ounces (70 grams). Utilizing Seagate's revolutionary
 Storage Management Module power-saving technology unveiled at CES, the
 rechargeable lithium ion battery(3) delivers up to 10 hours of
 media-streaming performance(4) and up to 14 days of standby power(5).
     DAVE Platform Software Developers Kit
     Built on a set of open API platform accessible to developers using
 current development tools, the DAVE mobile storage platform offers mobile
 phone software developers the opportunity to create new applications
 utilizing the hard drive's capacity and performance. A DAVE Software
 Developers Kit, available in March 2007 from Seagate, streamlines the
 process of building videogames, applications that manage and play
 multimedia, enhanced GPS systems, and other new software widgets for the
 mobile lifestyle. Software developers can find more information on the DAVE
 mobile storage platform SDK during the 3GSM World Congress at
 3gsm.seagate.com.
     The DAVE mobile storage platform is expected to be available to leading
 cell phone manufacturers and telco service providers for products in the
 second calendar quarter of 2007.
     About Seagate
     Seagate is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and
 marketing of hard disc drives that enable the creation, storage, sharing,
 and protection of digital content everywhere -- the home, hand, car, and
 office. Providing products for a wide range of applications, including
 Enterprise, Desktop, Mobile Computing, Consumer Electronics and Branded
 Solutions, Seagate's business model leverages technology leadership and
 world-class manufacturing to deliver industry-leading innovation and
 quality to its global customers, with a goal to be the lowest cost producer
 in all markets in which it participates. The company is committed to
 providing award-winning products, customer support and reliability to meet
 the world's growing demand for information storage. Seagate can be found
 around the globe at http://www.seagate.com.
     Seagate, Seagate Technology and the Wave logo are registered trademarks
 of Seagate Technology LLC. Run-On Technology and DAVE are trademarks of
 Seagate Technology LLC or one of its affiliated companies. All other
 trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective
 owners. One gigabyte, or GB, equals one billion bytes when referring to
 hard drive capacity. One terabyte, or TB, equals 1,000 gigabytes when
 referring to hard drive capacity. Accessible capacity may vary depending on
 operating environment and formatting. Quantitative usage examples for
 various applications are for illustrative purposes. Actual quantities will
 vary based on various factors, including file size, file format, features
 and application software.
     (1) Bluetooth 2.0
     (2) WiFi 802.11b and 802.11g
     (3) Using USB2.0 On-the-Go
     (4) Media streaming is defined as continuous playback of music at 128
         kbps, and video at 768 kbps for video (320x240 screen resolution).
     (5) Standby power is defined as being inactive but "sniffing" for
         Bluetooth commands from the users mobile phone
 
 

SOURCE Seagate Technology