ICQ, Inc. to Bring Instant Messaging To U3 Powered USB Smart Drives; Portable Version of the ICQ Service Will Offer Presence Detection and Real-Time Instant Messaging.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- U3(TM) LLC, creator of the U3 smart drive computing platform, today announced that ICQ(R) ("I Seek You") is adding its leading instant messaging application and service to the U3 platform for USB smart drives. The portable customized version of ICQ version 5 will give USB smart drive users access to features they already enjoy on their own desktop, including presence-detection, real-time instant messaging functionality, and communication and customization features. ICQ will demonstrate this new 'U3 smart' software at U3's first annual Global Developer Summit, which begins today at the San Jose Marriott.

"People have two priorities today: keeping in touch with each other and staying mobile," said Ronen Arad, vice president of product marketing for ICQ. "The U3 powered USB smart drive gives people the ability to roam from computer to computer while keeping their personal data with them. Adding ICQ to the mix makes it incredibly easy for the ICQ community to remain in contact no matter which computer they are using."

"ICQ is a pioneer in its field. Along with AOL, it pioneered Internet instant messaging, and now has an active user-base of more than 20 million monthly users," said Kate Purmal, chief executive officer of U3. "This compelling application adds presence and real-time interactivity to the U3 platform, turning the U3 powered USB smart drive into a dynamic communication gateway."

U3 powered USB smart drives transform the USB flash drive into a private, portable and protected workspace that simply plugs into any PC running Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Users access their personal applications and data from their smart drive through a user-friendly interface, called the U3 Launchpad, making computing more mobile and secure. The U3 platform is designed to leave the host computer unaltered when the U3 powered USB smart drive is removed, and the user has full confidence that no personal information has been left behind.

ICQ for U3 powered USB smart drives will be available this fall.

About ICQ

ICQ is a leading instant messaging service provider with a global online communications community with over 200 million registered users. The company's robust instant messaging software, enhanced communications features and dynamic community are available in 18 languages free of charge at www.icq.com. ICQ, created in 1996 by the Israel-based company, Mirabilis, is now wholly owned by America Online, Inc.

About U3

U3(TM) LLC of Redwood City, Calif., has developed an innovative platform to make USB smart drives that host a "personal workspace" -- not only data and files, but software programs, personal user preferences and the means for managing them. U3 powered USB smart drives transform a PC into a truly personalized computer, quickly, easily and securely, and exit transparently when done. U3, backed by USB flash drive market leaders M-Systems (NASDAQ: FLSH) and SanDisk(R) Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), licenses its platform to USB drive manufacturers. For more information see www.U3.com.

U3 is a trademark of U3, LLC. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.