SST (Silicon Storage Technology) and Insyde Software Corp has developed a new hard drive technology, FlashMate, that allows you to access data even when your PC is off! Designed for use in laptops, the FlashMate technology uses an integrated hardware, firmware and software architecture to provide alternative hybrid-drive functionality to notebooks and total access to hard disk drive content even while the CPU is off. Just imagine how beneficial this development could be. You can listen to MP3 files, view pictures, access emails etc without booting Windows. The first series of products featuring FlashMate technology will be available from SST in the second quarter of 2008.
(Press Release after the jump)

SST (Silicon Storage Technology, Inc., NASDAQ: SSTI), a leader in flash memory technology, and Insyde Software Corp., (GTSM: 6231), a leading provider of UEFI-based firmware, BIOS and engineering services, today announced the joint development of FlashMate technology, enabling new usage models to notebook PC consumers that will revolutionize their portable computing experience. FlashMate technology utilizes a fully integrated hardware, firmware and software architecture to provide alternative hybrid-drive functionality to notebooks and total access to hard disk drive content even while the CPU is off. By managing the peripherals, FlashMate enables a wide range of new applications while the main system is either in pre-boot, standby, hibernate or completely shut down. FlashMate technology provides benefits beyond that of a hybrid-drive by giving users the ability to instantly access the content on the hard disk drive without having to power on the notebook for listening to MP3 files, viewing digital pictures, accessing email and more.

FlashMate technology combines SST’s expertise in NAND flash controllers and memory subsystem design with Insyde Software’s expertise in PC BIOS, system software and power management to create a complete application subsystem. For example, working in conjunction with features such as Windows Vista ReadyDrive, the new FlashMate technology serves as nonvolatile cache for the hard disk drive, thus transforming a standard hard disk drive to perform hybrid-drive functions. Hybrid-drives feature a hard disk drive with a NAND flash drive acting as data cache. By using a NAND flash memory buffer when the system is active, the notebook’s hard drive is rarely engaged, leading to better hard drive reliability, reduced power consumption, increased performance, and faster boot and resume times. Furthermore, FlashMate enhances the functionality of Microsoft Windows Vista SideShow and other third-party applications by giving notebook users access to hard-disk data and various applications via the notebook’s USB interface without having to engage the CPU.

“Current hybrid-drive products available on the market, either as nonvolatile cache embedded in the hard disk drive or integrated on the motherboard, have enhanced some of the capabilities of notebook computers, but these solutions only scratch the surface of what is possible,” said Bing Yeh, president and CEO, SST. “Our FlashMate technology expands beyond hybrid-drive functionality by enabling notebook users to conveniently perform tasks without having to turn on the computer, such as transferring files from an external memory, getting contact information from an Outlook address book, listening to MP3 music or checking flight arrival times. FlashMate marks a new and exciting market opportunity for SST, one that will be well served by our years of experience in NAND flash controller technology.”

“SST is a global leader and respected supplier of advanced flash memory and controller technologies, and we are thrilled to have collaborated with SST to bring this exciting new FlashMate technology to market,” said Jeremy Wang, chairman of Insyde Software. “Working closely with SST has allowed us to create the optimal hardware/software solution that gives mobile PC OEMs and ODMs opportunities to design in brand new mobile applications and deliver innovative and discernable end-user benefits.”

Availability
The first series of products featuring FlashMate technology are scheduled to be available from SST in the second quarter of 2008. For more information on SST and FlashMate technology, please visit the company’s Web site at http://www.sst.com. Representatives from SST and Insyde will be discussing and demonstrating FlashMate technology at the Grand Hyatt Taipei Hotel on October 15-16, 2007, during the same time as the Fall 2007 Intel Developer Forum in Taipei, Taiwan.

About Insyde Software
Insyde Software (www.insydesw.com) is a leading global provider of BIOS, UEFI-based firmware and engineering services for companies in the desktop, mobile, server and embedded computing industries. Founded in 1998, the company is publicly held (GTSM: 6231) and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan with U.S. offices in Boston, MA and Hillsboro, OR. The company’s customers include Acer, Compal, Fujitsu, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo, MiTAC, NEC, Quanta, Toshiba, Unisys, Wistron and Wyse.

About Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, SST designs, manufactures and markets a diversified range of memory and non-memory products for high volume applications in the digital consumer, networking, wireless communications and Internet computing markets. Leveraging its proprietary, patented SuperFlash technology, SST is a leading provider of nonvolatile memory solutions with product families that include various densities of high functionality flash memory components and flash mass storage products. The Company also offers its SuperFlash technology for embedded applications through its broad network of world-class manufacturing partners and technology licensees, including TSMC, which offers it under its trademark Emb-FLASH. SST’s non-memory products include NAND controller-based products, smart card ICs, flash microcontroller and radio frequency ICs and modules. Further information on SST can be found on the company's Web site at http://www.sst.com.