Western Digital Corp., a global data storage technology and solutions leader, today announced that it is providing cloud and hyperscale data centers the capacity required by big data applications with the world’s first 14TB enterprise-class hard drive featuring host-managed shingled magnetic recording (SMR) technology. Western Digital’s HGST-branded Ultrastar Hs14 delivers 40 percent more capacity and more than twice the sequential write performance of its SMR predecessor, enabling more economical and efficient capture of the growing volume and variety of data.

The future is built on the insights and predictive power of big data. As data grows exponentially, storing it all in an affordable and accessible manner is an ongoing challenge for enterprise and cloud service data center operators. With a focus on total cost of ownership (TCO), the factors of capacity per rack, power consumption, cooling, maintenance, and acquisition cost are all paramount. To combat the big data challenge, Ultrastar Hs14 drives deliver unprecedented capacity leadership and online watt/TB power efficiency for extremely low TCO by harnessing two core complementary technologies – fourth generation HelioSeal® technology, and second generation host-managed SMR – along with enterprise-class reliability. These mature, field-proven technologies provide the foundation for delivering efficient, quality and reliable performance required by cloud and hyperscale environments, perfect for ultra-dense scale-out storage systems running sequential write workloads. By utilizing SMR technology, Ultrastar Hs14 HDDs offer a 16 percent increase in capacity1 while keeping highly predictable, highly reliable performance.

Silicon Power adds the ultra-small Jewel J35 and Touch T35 to its USB flash drive portfolio.

Thanks to their tiny size and low weight (2cm/2.2g), they are versatile drives that can stay plugged wherever they are needed, for example in laptops, car audio systems, or portable music systems. For easy data sharing or safe data storage, users can choose between capacities from 8GB to 64GB (T35) and 8 GB to 128GB (J35). Despite their compact size, they are still easy to handle – the ergonomic shape of the grip ensures fumble-free plugging and removal.

For those who appreciate speedy data transfer, the J35 with its fast USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) interface will be the drive of choice, whereas the T35 aims at the more budget-conscious users.

Both combine a robust, scratch-resistant metal casing with a sturdy TPU grip. While the J35 features a glossy stainless steel housing, that of the T35 has undergone a hairline surface treatment for a matt look.

Backed by a lifetime warranty, the Jewel J35 and Touch T35 offer excellent product material and service quality topped off with sophisticated, classy design.

Roku, Inc. today announced five new streaming players giving people who enjoy TV better ways to connect to the streaming entertainment they love. The new line up includes a range of player models that offer better performance, improved wireless reception, new convenience features and greater value than ever before. Starting at just $29.99 MSRP, the new more powerful Roku Express makes HD streaming easy while those who want Roku’s ultimate player can get the new lower-priced $99.99 MSRP Roku Ultra. In addition, today the company also unveiled the newest version of its operating system, Roku OS 8, in a separate announcement.

“Our new streaming player line up provides performance, price and features to meet our users needs so they can sit back, relax and enjoy their TV viewing experience even more,” said Chas Smith, general manager of Roku TVs and players. “Consumers will love our new sleek Roku Streaming Stick+ with an innovative advanced wireless receiver that gives up to four times the wireless range and a remote that controls TV volume and power. It makes 4K and HDR streaming simple.”

Synology Inc. announced the official launch of DiskStation DS418play, a 4-bay NAS ideal for serving as a home multimedia center.

DS418play is equipped with a dual-core 2GHz processor capable of bursting up to 2.5GHz. It comes with 2GB DDR3L memory by default, which is twice the size of its predecessor, and expands up to 6GB to enhance multi-tasking operations. Powered by a new hardware transcoding engine, DS418play supports up to two channels of H.265/H.264 4K video transcoding.

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC), a committed technology leader, today announces the 10TB MG06 Series Enterprise Capacity HDD model line-up. Toshiba’s new MG06 series offers a 25 percent capacity increase compared to prior generations and enables models to be delivered at multiple capacity points to better leverage capacity refresh qualification cycles for OEMs/ODMs infrastructure builders, cloud solution providers (CSPs) and system integrators.

In addition to a heftier capacity, the 10TB MG06 Series features a greater maximum sustained transfer rate, 237 MiB/s, than the earlier MG05 Series, as well as a 25 percent increase in MTTF, with a rating of 2.5M hours. The drive provides a SATA 6Gbit/s interface and 7,200 rpm performance. Additionally, the MG06 HDD supports emulated 512 Advanced Format (512e) technology for compatibility with legacy applications and operating environments; or 4K native sector technology for optimum performance in all-disk or hybrid storage platforms.

Transcend Information Inc., a leading manufacturer of storage and multimedia products, is proud to announce the release of the StoreJet 600 for Mac. Housed in a stunning metallic casing, this light and durable StoreJet 600 for Mac matches the sleek lines and elegant curves of Mac devices. The space-gray color reflects a sophisticated style, and makes this portable SSD a fashionable on-the-go accessory. The StoreJet 600 for Mac features the latest USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface and pre-formatted HFS+ file system, allowing it to be used right out of the box.

Ahead of the pack with Type-C and USB 3.1 Gen 2
Transcend’s StoreJet 600 for Mac utilizes the USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface, which achieves double the transfer speeds of USB 3.1 Gen 1 devices, and meets UASP standards to boost transfer rates up to 470 MB/s. In addition, both a USB Type-C cable and a USB Type-C to Type-A cable are included in the package to accommodate Mac models featuring the Thunderbolt™ 3, USB Type-C, or USB 3.0 interface.

Colorful Technology Company Limited, a leading manufacturer of PC hardware, has announced the introduction of three new PCIE SSD models and are the world’s first to feature the latest SiliconMotion controller 2262/2263/2263XTL: announcing the COLORFUL CN600 DRAM-less Series, CN600 DRAM series and CP600 iGame Series. All of the new SSDs will be available in volumes of 240GB up to 2TB.

“Although COLORFUL’s SSD product lines were just released 3 years ago, thanks to the partnership between SiliconMotion and NAND flash vendors, COLORFUL’s SSD products now hold the distinction of being in the top 3 in terms of market share in China. COLORFUL is going to build a storage brand in the future and this new PCIe Series SSD launching today will be the start.” – Mr. Jerry Tsao, DGM of COLORFUL Storage talking about the release of the new storage products in a conference.