The USB 3.0 Promoter Group announced on Monday that it has completed version 1.0 of the USB 3.0 specification. This new technology, called SuperSpeed USB, is about ten times faster than the 2.0 specification. The first SuperSpeed USB controllers are expected to appear in the second half of 2009 with the first consumer devices becoming available in 2010.

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group today announced the completion of the USB 3.0 specification, the technical map for device manufacturers to deliver SuperSpeed USB technology to the market.

SuperSpeed USB brings significant power and performance enhancements to the popular USB standard while offering backward compatibility with billions of USB-enabled PCs and peripheral devices currently in use by consumers. Delivering data transfer rates up to ten times faster than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) with optimized power efficiency, SuperSpeed USB is the next step in the continued evolution of USB technology.

“SuperSpeed USB is the next advancement in ubiquitous technology,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and chairman. “Today’s consumers are using rich media and large digital files that need to be easily and quickly transferred from PCs to devices and vice versa. SuperSpeed USB meets the needs of everyone from the tech-savvy executive to the average home user.”

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Team Group recently unveiled its new 2.5-inch Combo solid-state drive (SSD). Available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities, this MLC-based SSD is equipped with an SATA II interface as well as a mini USB connector, allowing it to be used as an external hard drive. Team Group's Combo SSD is capable of 170MB/s read and 100MB/s write speeds via SATA and 35MB/s read and 25MB/s write speeds when plugged into a computer's USB port.

Still wasting your time waiting for files to load on your PC? Team Group Inc. has heard the prayers of users who wanted better solutions for mobile data storage and launched its next generation solid state drive (SSD). The innovative product incorporates SATAII high speed interface and external mini USB connectivity so as to combine the advantages of SSD (light weight, speed) and external hard disks (mobility, convenience) together. Team Group Inc. has successfully transformed SSD from a simple medium of storage into a high speed mobile storage device that is free from location restrictions. With the launch of the product, consumers will no longer have to put up with slow and bulky external hard disks! Team Group Inc.’s 2.5” Combo SSD is perfect for efficiency oriented business users and gamers with demands for massive data transfer. 

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Plextor LLC has finally revealed some details on its new Blu-ray combo drives. The internal PX-B310SA and external PX-B310U read single layer Blu-ray discs at 6x and are capable of 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. The two drives also support Plextor's new PlexUTILITIES software as well as its PlexERASE and PlexREAD technologies.

No word yet on availability. However, if preorders are any indication, you can expect to pay about $240 for the PX-B310SA and $290 for the PX-B310U.

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Lenovo sent out a press release this morning, announcing its ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive. Available in 160GB and 320GB capacities, this pocket sized hard drive uses a numeric keypad as well as 128-bit full-disk encryption to protect a user's data.

Lenovo today announced the ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive to give customers a secure way to protect sensitive data in a lightweight and easy-to-use design. The award winning, high capacity hard drive, available in either 160 or 320 GB versions, uses a numeric keypad allowing users to type in their passcode to access their data. At less than an inch thin, and approximately the size of a 3 x 5 inch index card, it’s small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.

The new secure hard drive meets the 128-bit advanced encryption security standard to help ensure information remains secure, and real-time encryption means users don’t have to wait for the “lag time” that typically accompanies encrypted drives. The hard drive features full-disk encryption for up to ten unique user ID’s and one administrator, making it an ideal tool for ThinkPad notebook PC users on-the-go or collaborating at work. Additionally, the self-powered hard drive eliminates the hassle of keeping up with power cords, and a convenient built-in USB cable makes transferring data simple and stores in the hard drive’s housing when not in use.

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