Under the sell line “Just in time to make a perfect gift for Mother’s Day” Western Digital (WD) recently introduced 10 “fresh new colors” for its My Passport Essential Portable USB Drives. Weighing in at less than 5 ounces, My Passport Essential USB Drives put almost a third of a terabyte of digital storage in the palm of the users’ hand. While it may have taken a while, the same “fashion statement” trend that had dominated the digital camera and imaging accessory market has finally hit the portable drive market.
My Passport Essential Drives are, as WD explains, simple to use, light and easy to carry, and require no power adapter – they are powered directly through the USB cable. Each unit is equipped with sync and encryption software for easy file transfer. This mega-capacity makes it simple to securely carry thousands of songs, videos or photos and have them at the users’ disposal. The fact WD has added some color to a product category that has traditionally been grey, black or silver simply adds a touch of personalization.
“Our striking new color selection gives our customers an opportunity to express their unique style, while securely storing and carrying the massive amounts of rich content generated by higher resolution cameras, HD videos and music,” said Jim Welsh, vice president and general manager of WD’s branded products and consumer electronics groups.
WD Sync software allows consumers to easily synchronize essential personal files from their desktop PC to their My Passport drive. Welsh added that even if owners misplace the drive, “they know their data is protected with 128-bit encryption. Google software on the drive allows users to quickly locate files with the Google Desktop Search search tool, manage photos with Picasa photo organizer software and simplify Web searches with the Google Toolbar search bar.
The new colors include: brilliant orange, super sunny yellow, raindrop blue, arctic white, deep viola, cherry red, ultra mint, real red, intense blue, and of course, vibrant pink. A160GB drive starts at $119.
