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Data I/O(R) Unveils Flash Card Duplication Strategy to Serve Producers of Wireless and Handheld Devices

Posted on: Wednesday, 8 February 2006, 15:00 CST

REDMOND, Wa., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Data I/O(R) today previewed a new production programming system designed to deliver high volume automated duplication of multimedia (MMC) cards and Secure Digital (SD) cards for handheld and consumer electronics products. The new offering combines the precision automated package handling of the Data I/O PS Series production programming systems, with new technology for high-speed read/write to the flash device within the media card package.

The company demonstrated the concept for the first time at the 2005 Productronica Electronics show in Munich. The Card Programming System reflects the company's new strategy to support the wireless and consumer electronics revolution with programming solutions, enhanced software and flexible business models to support the success of their customers.

These new offerings demonstrate Data I/O's creative vision for the success of their customers, the innovators and visionaries in mobile products and services. "Manufacturers of wireless handsets, PDAs, MP3 players and other handheld devices face relentless pressure to get new product to market," said Harald Weigelt, VP of Worldwide Operations for Data I/O. "Our partnership and support assure far more than writing an application file to a programmable device. In collaboration with customers, the value we bring is about lean manufacturing, process management, IP protection, and quality assurance. Our partnership approach enables the companies we serve to remove uncertainty from a sea of challenges. They are confident that the operating system, multimedia files, games or OEM content will be faithfully and securely reproduced, assuring a high quality end product," Weigelt added.

Consumer Applications Drive Growth in Card Packages

As information services, entertainment, games and productivity applications converge to create new 3G 'super phones', the use of flash media cards is predicted to grow rapidly. By 2008 the mobile handset industry will ship 800 million units per year. The Mobile Content market is forecast to grow to $16.7 billion in 2007. The market for mobile games will grow from $2.6 billion in 2005 to $11.2 billion in 2007.

Though the 3G vision has many service companies aspiring to sell FOTA (firmware over the air) or internet downloads of these new applications and services, the initial file loads, in the form of operating systems, file management systems, user interface frames, consist of files simply too large for download at the speeds available today. In addition, the flash card form factors make an appealing package for entertainment content delivered post- sale, as a purchase or promotional item. In these cases pre-programming is a secure and cost effective solution.

High Volume, High Reliability Production

A Data I/O high volume card programming system is capable of scaling to automatically duplicate up to 1250 cards per hour, the fastest solution at a lower cost per card than manual programming. Data I/O, in collaboration with key partners, has designed proprietary socket technology for flash media that enables the highest possible quality and yield. These sockets allow full- bandwidth duplication at maximum bus frequencies. Precision robotic handling delivers loaded, product-ready cards without signs of physical handling sometimes caused by manual handling. Plans include support for all popular flash media packages, including MMCmobile(TM), MMCplus(TM), MMCmicro(TM), SD, MiniSD(TM), MicroSD(TM), Compact Flash and USB modules.

"This concept development phase gives us an opportunity to work closely with key customers to refine the capabilities," said Kelly Hirsch, Chief Technology Officer at Data I/O. "We are actively partnering with flash card manufacturers, content providers, and DRM and service providers to tailor our proven production systems to meet their specific requirements."

Flexible Products and Services - a Dynamic Model

At the completion of the prototype phase, involving test and customization for several key customers, standard production card programming systems will be released for sale, and will be available for onsite use by engagement with the Data I/O Worldwide Programming Services team.

About Data I/O:

Celebrating over 32 years of innovative leadership in the device programming industry, Data I/O Corporation(R) provides manual and automated device programming systems that specifically address the requirements of engineering and manufacturing operations. Data I/O is an active member of the Multimedia Card Association. Data I/O Corporation is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, and has sales and service offices worldwide. For more information, see http://www.dataio.com/ or call 800-426-1045.

Forward-Looking Statements

All company or product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purposes only. The matters discussed in this news release include forward- looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary significantly. These risks include market and competitive factors, and other risks as described in the Company's most recent annual report and/or any of its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release. Reference to the Company's website does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon into this press release.

Contact: Megan Miller Director of Marketing millerm@dataio.com 425-867-6927 or Dennis McFarland Goldstein Group Communications dmcfarland@ggcomm.com 216-573-2300

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact:

Data I/O Corporation

CONTACT: Megan Miller, Director of Marketing of Data I-O Corporation,+1-425-867-6927, or millerm@dataio.com; or Dennis McFarland of Goldstein GroupCommunications, +1-216-573-2300, or dmcfarland@ggcomm.com, for Data I-OCorporation

Web site: http://www.dataio.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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