FREMONT, Calif., Lexar Media, Inc. (NSDQ: LEXR), a leading designer, developer and marketer of high-performance digital film and connectivity products for the digital photography market, announced today the launch of its newest product, the Lexar Media USB SmartMediaÅ Reader. The Lexar Media USB SmartMedia Reader quickly and easily transfers photos to a computer from the digital film found in SmartMedia digital cameras. Users simply remove the digital film from the camera and insert it directly into the reader. The SmartMedia reader also enables users to "drag and drop images, as well as store, display, or enhance them when used in conjunction with Lexar Media's Shoot & Share‰ image viewing and enhancement software. And because the SmartMedia reader is USB-enabled, users can enjoy the reader's true plug-and-play capability. "The Lexar Media USB SmartMedia Reader is Lexar's first portable reader, enabling digital photographers to take it with them wherever they may use their digital cameras," said David Klenske, Lexar Media's director of product marketing. "It's a great way for photographers to quickly and easily transfer pictures from their SmartMedia digital film to any USB-enabled computer withoutthe hassles of cabling their camera to the computer and draining the camera's limited battery life while downloading images. The portability of the reader also allows the photographer to easily view and share pictures anywhere there's a computer, whether the photographer is at home, on a job site or at a friend's house." The SmartMedia reader easily fits into a small camera bag pocket to provide mobile connectivity with computers for both PC and Macintosh users. Capitalizing on the contoured and easy-to-use design of Lexar's popular JumpShotÅ cable, the SmartMedia reader is similarly sculpted. The Lexar Media USB SmartMedia Reader has a suggested retail price of $39.99. It will be available in the United States in January 2001. The USB SmartMedia reader will also be available at Lexar Media's Web site (www.lexarmedia.com).