The U3 device from the company of the same name (which is owned by flash memory providers SanDisk and M-Systems) is a smart drive that holds raw information, applications, preferences, and personal settings. When plugged into a PC, the U3 permits users to compute as if they were using their own machines. The enabling technology is a second chipset called the controller that allows special communications between the device and the operating system (OS). The market for the U3 is not certain, and the U3 will compete with such software as MyPC, with which users can gain access to home or work computers remotely. The device also comes up against security issues, and the question remains open as to whether software developers will make their programs compatible with it. BlackBerry or Treo users, in order to buy U3s, might also have to abandon tiny keyboards to use a U3 attached to a computer in an airport or hotel business center. U3 plans to ship the first cigarette-lighter-sized device to Asia in June, but U3 makers also believe that travelers using computers at home will choose to carry a U3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) through airport security instead of a laptop. U3s are available in U.S. stores, and, by 2008, predicts Gartner, 70% of the 149.6 million USB drives that will be sold will be U3s. By 2008, the cost of memory will be one cent per meg, and consumers would be able to buy a 16GB USB device for $50. Gartner analyst also points out that The need... to obtain dual software licenses for the PC and the U3 drive limits affordability and convenience.