Iomega clik! wins backing of Compaq, Agfa

But they don't ever have to ship it, assuming it's ever released

Iomega has signed Compaq and Agfa to support its 40MB clik! drives, which it claims will be available in the first half of next year. However, the letters of intent signed by both Iomega partners doesn't actually require them to ship products using the technology. Compaq said it will fit clik! drives to some future models in its Windows CE 2.0-based C series of handheld PCs -- and even then it will only be available through the manufacturer's direct sales service. It will appear in "1999 as a specially priced retail bundle". Agfa, meanwhile, promised to "begin exploring building clik! drives into future digital imaging products". In short: 'well, we'll see if we can add the drive, but we're not necessarily going to ship it'. And, given the non-binding nature of the support agreements, it doesn't even have to bother doing that. Clik! is a small form-factor removable disk system for devices too small for Zip drives. It's target markets are digital imaging products, like cameras, and palmtop PCs, so the signing of Compaq and Agfa is more about stressing that market emphasis than providing a comprehensive list of suppliers. Originally announced at Comdex two years ago, clik! has been promoted as 'coming real soon now' every year since. According to Iomega, the delay is a result on ongoing quality assurance testing, but Compaq and Agfa's insistence on ensuring there letters of intent to support clik! don't actually force them to do anything suggests they have doubts that Iomega can get the drive out of the door by the new deadline. ® See also
Iomega to update Zip to 250MB