USB key opens home files from anywhere

LAS VEGAS — A Usb-style key that splits in two lets people open their home or work computer files from any Internetlinked computer.

Singapore-based itwin was at the Consumer Electronics Show last week to entice technology fans with a way to avoid being out of touch with data on work or home machines no matter how far they roam.

"The itwin acts like a cableless cable connecting you to your files," said company spokeswoman Kara Rosenthal.

"If you are on a business trip and don't know what files you need you can just access your hard drive from any other computer and have whatever files you want."

An itwin user simply plugs the device, which is the size and shape of standard thumb drive, into their computer USB port and drags into it any data they wish even if it is an entire hard drive.

Half the gadget is left plugged into a home or work computer, while a user takes the other half with him or her to serve as a key.

Plugging the key into another Internet-connected computer automatically accesses files. Data is encrypted and password protected. Keys can be remotely disabled if lost or stolen.

At CES itwin demonstrated a newly added "multi" feature that lets as many as 20 keys be synched to the part left in a home or work machine. Itwin devices were priced at $99.