Microsoft working up StartKey Windows companion

If you'll recall, Microsoft announced that it was teaming up with SanDisk last May to conjure up a suitable U3 replacement. Not quite a year later, we're starting to hear the first whispers of what that replacement may be. Purportedly dubbed StartKey, the so-called Windows companion would essentially allow users to "carry their Windows and Windows Live settings with them" on any sort of flash memory device -- be it a USB drive, SD card, etc. Interestingly, it's also being reported that Redmond would like to "build an end-to-end StartKey environment," but aside from the tidbit that it should be out in at least beta form by the year's end, pretty much everything else remains murky.

[Via ArsTechnica, image courtesy of Tom's Hardware]

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2008 5:00PM]

...must...resist...windows dig

you could buy the new MS 3 series car keys or the keys to a nice new OSX M5. its faster, better looking, more reliable and more economical.

sorry i just couldnt resist =P

[ecobore Posted Mar 5th 2008 5:15PM]

Great! Another easy way to spread Windoze viruses!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2008 6:44PM]

You kinda loose all credibility when you can't even spell. gotta love the asshats out there.

[Wwhat Posted Mar 6th 2008 9:16AM]

You are unable to understand subtlety in writing 'jon doe'.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 1:16AM]

Everyone should go have a look at MojoPac. Watch the demos.

http://www.mojopac.com/portal/content/hellomojo.jsp

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2008 6:43PM]

So basically Microsoft will get home on iPod before Apple can get their shit together. Got it.

[Ethan Posted Mar 6th 2008 2:36AM]

These things are always limited to what Microsoft wants you to do with them. I know it wouldn't carry all the customizations I'd put on windows back in the day.

Not to mention that your work computer that you'd love to modify will probably be locked down against it. Not that that's the manufacturer's fault.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 6:11AM]

Apple already does this. It's called portable home directory. They showed this off last year at WWDC.