Memorex sent out a press release this morning, announcing their latest TravelDrive, the M-Flyer Pilot. This new USB flash drive features a retractable USB connector, security software and support for Vista's ReadyBoost technology.

Memorex, a portfolio brand of Imation Corp (NYSE: IMN), takes portable storage to new heights with its M-Flyer Pilot, the latest introduction from Memorex’s TravelDrive line of USB flash drives. As the newest addition to the Memorex family of portable storage devices, the sleek M-Flyer Pilot features a retractable USB connector, up to 4GB of capacity, security software, and ReadyBoost capabilities for use with Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system.

While retaining the sleek body styling of the original TravelDrive M-Flyer, as featured in TIME magazine, the next-generation M-Flyer Pilot adds a splash of color to its patented capless design and spring-loaded, retractable USB connector. Available with 2GB or 4GB of storage for photos, music and data files, this aerodynamic drive sports a silver-toned body with metallic blue or red accents, based on capacity.
The M-Flyer Pilot will be available next month. Prices range from $49.99 to $79.99, depending on capacity. If you'd like to read more, Memorex's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
With Blu-ray Disc (BD) writers being too expensive for most consumers, companies like Pioneer have started to offer BD combo drives. According to DigiTimes, Lite-On will begin production of their own BD combo drives in the fourth quarter of this year.
With Pioneer unveiling its first Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo drive (BDC-S02) in May for sale at a recommended retail price of US$299, Lite-On IT plans to start production of its BD Combo drives in the fourth quarter of this year, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

The sources cited Lite-On IT's relationship with Royal Philips Electronics as the rational for entering the business. The two companies are partners in a joint venture for producing optical drives (Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions) and Philips is a charter member of the BD Association.
The only BD combo drive I have heard of is the DH-2E1S which, according to some sources at Lite-On, is already available. I guess we'll have to wait and see. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
SanDisk has announced the availability of their latest USB flash drive, the Cruzer Contour. The drive's unique slider brings out and hides the USB connector with only a few flicks of the thumb.

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced availability of Cruzer Contour, a sleek USB flash drive that brings together high-end design and blazing speed. Much like a fine wristwatch, Cruzer Contour is a luxury personal accessory as well as a piece of functional technology.

What especially sets apart Cruzer Contour, with its glossy black top and silver metallic body, is the drive’s unique sliding USB connector. Using a thumb to slide the top of Cruzer Contour back and forth brings out or hides the connector. There’s no visible switch, and no cap to lose.
The Cruzer Contour is available now in capacities of 4GB and 8GB. More information, including prices, can be found here. Add a comment
Samsung announced over the weekend that they've started mass producing the industry's first 1.8-inch, 64GB solid state drive (SSD). Here's part of their press release:

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, announced that it has begun mass producing 1.8-inch solid state drives (SSD) at 64GB (gigabytes) - the highest density SSD available today for mobile computing applications...

...The 64GB SSD consists of 64 eight Gigabit (Gb) single-level cell flash memory chips. Use of 51nm process technology permits fabrication of much smaller components, with each chip having circuitry 1/2500th the width of a human hair.
No word on pricing or availability yet. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Samsung's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
DigiTimes has reported that a smaller than expected demand has caused an oversupply of CD-R discs. In response, Taiwan's second-tier manufacturers have dropped OEM quotes below $0.10.
The lower than expected demand for CD-R discs is mainly because brand and retail channel clients in the US and Europe had replenished their inventories in the first quarter of 2007 and therefore placed few OEM orders this quarter. Additionally, the unexpectedly strong sales of digital music players around the world has diminished demand for CD-R discs, the sources pointed out.

In response second-tier makers in Taiwan have cut prices to compete for few OEM orders resulting in the low OEM price levels, the sources indicated. In addition to CD-R discs, they have reduced OEM prices for blank 4-8x DVD+R/-R discs to as low as US$0.12, the sources noted.
These prices probably won't last long. The article points out that the cost of optical-grade polycarbonate is slowing increasing due to the price of crude oil. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
If you've been waiting to buy a Blu-ray Disc writer, now may be the time. CompUSA currently has the Lite-On LH-2B1S on sale for only $299.98. This is $150 off their normal price and a good $130 cheaper than any of the retailers listed on Pricegrabber. Don't delay because at this price these drives won't last long. Add a comment

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Earlier this week, Samsung announced their latest DVD writer, the SH-S203. With its ability to write to DVD+R DL media at 16x, the SH-S203 is expected to push the demand for drives and discs capable of this speed.
Samsung Electronics, at a press conference in New York on June 19, introduced its Super WriteMaster SH-S203 DVD burner featuring a write speed of 16x for DVD+R DL (single-sided double-layer) and that of 20x for DVD+R/-R. The device is expected to push up demand for DVD burners capable of 16x DVD+R DL recording as well as 16x DVD+D DL discs, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

While the DVD+RW Alliance released specifications for 12x and 16x DVD+R DL formats in early April of this year, Samsung took the initiative among global leading DVD burner brands/makers to bring the 16x DVD+R DL into commercial use, the sources indicated. While 8-12x, currently the mainstream writing speeds for DVD+R DL, takes 15-20 minutes to burn a disc, 16x requires less than 10 minutes, the sources pointed out.
The article also mentions that Pioneer, Sony and Lite-On plan to release drives capable of writing to DVD+R DL media at 16x later this year. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

Ultra X3 1000Watt SLI Ready Modular Power Supply @Tweaknews.net
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OCZ 4GB Rally 2 USB Flash Drive @The TechZone
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With Blockbuster deciding to back Blu-ray, many people are declaring it the winner of the format war. This hasn't phased the HD DVD Promotional Group. According to a report by bit-tech.net, the group's vice president, Ken Graffeo, is confident that HD DVD will still be able to pull of a win in the end.
Ken cited the fact that HD DVD is still being offered in the original 250 stores and through Blockbuster’s online rental service. He claims that those 250 stores are stores where there are large numbers of early adopters and the latter, he believes, is Blockbuster’s major growth market.

Thus, he is not fazed by Blockbuster’s decision. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that this is potentially a bigger win for Blu-ray than it is a loss for HD DVD, based on the figures he’s given to us.

He remained adamant that HD DVD was on top at the moment and claimed that dedicated HD DVD set top boxes are outselling Blu-ray set top boxes at a rate of three to one in the US. In the last six weeks, the Promotional Group has sold over 50,000 HD DVD set top boxes on promotion in the US, proving that once the price is right, consumers will buy into the technology.
If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment