Keeping a desk surface clutter-free is an almost impossible task for some of us, made all the more difficult by streamlined, modern furniture. But while this desk certainly looks sleek at first glance, beneath its surface are all the drawers you could ever ask for in order to keep your workspace tidy. More »
Available in both 50GB and 100GB sizes, the Catalyst Cache is Mushkin’s newest line of SSDs for the mass market. These 2.5-inch SSDs are equipped with a SATA 6.0 Gbps interface, a SandForce SF-2200 series controller, a MTBF of 2 million hours and capable of delivering read/write speeds of up to 525/495 MB/s (50GB Model) and 550/515 MB/s (100GB Model), respectively. Prices unannounced yet. [Mushkin]
Just as were starting to get cozy with the still vastly unavailable XQD format, the CompactFlash Association is back with version 2.0 of the spec, which it says could provide transfer speeds of up to 8 Gb/s (1,000 MB/s). You’ll need to have access to a PCI Express 3.0 interface in order to take advantage of that throughput, however — a boost from the 5 Gbps offered with the previous-gen solution. XQD 2.0 is still under development, with Sony footing the bill, and the organization is welcoming “additional participation” as it works to refine the standard. There’s no saying exactly when we’ll start seeing devices that employ the new tech, though CFA is aiming to make the spec available “in the second half of 2012.” Cards that utilize the new format will enable video capture at higher bandwidth that the SD and CF media of today, and while we seem to be managing just fine with the current stock for capturing 1080p, faster storage will certainly be welcome in the future, once 4K, and perhaps even larger formats, make their mainstream debut.
Continue reading CompactFlash Association develops XQD 2.0 spec, promises up to 8 Gbps throughput
Filed under: Digital Cameras, Storage
CompactFlash Association develops XQD 2.0 spec, promises up to 8 Gbps throughput originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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MSI has just unveiled a new line of SSDs namely the Reflex Series. Coming in 60GB, 120GB and 240GB sizes, these 2.5-inch SSDs are packed with MLC NAND Flash memory chips, a SATA 6.0 Gbps interface, a SandForce SF2281 controller, a MTBF of 2 million hours and capable of delivering read/write speeds of up to 525/495 MB/s (60GB Model), 550/515 MB/s (120GB Model) and 560/525 MB/s (240GB Model), respectively. Pricing and release date are still unknown at the moment. [MSI]
Hankering for a Drobo with Thunderbolt? They’re here… almost. Starting today, consumers far and wide can place their pre-orders for the Drobo 5D and the Drobo Mini. As a refresher, the former is a BYOD desktop solution with a pair of T-bolt ports and a lone USB 3.0 connector; just bring up to five 3.5-inch HDDs, and your RAID adventures are cleared to begin. The latter is a bantam option that promises the “power and flexibility” of the 5D, but in a miniaturized package that works with the 2.5-inch drives that typically find themselves within laptops. The 5D is listed at $849, while the Mini comes in at $649, and you can find the entire list of authorized partners in Drobo‘s blog post below.
Continue reading Thunderbolt-equipped Drobo 5D and Drobo Mini storage devices now up for pre-order
Filed under: Storage
Thunderbolt-equipped Drobo 5D and Drobo Mini storage devices now up for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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If you are looking for a new ultra-portable USB 3.0 flash drive, then check out the Patriot Memory Supersonic Rage XT. Available in 32GB and 64GB of storage capacities, the Supersonic Rage XT offers read and write speeds of up to 180MB/s and 50MB/s, respectively. The storage device features a custom retractable USB housing and a high quality NAND/IC controller. The Patriot Supersonic Rage XT USB 3.0 drive also provides plug-and-play compatibility with Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems. [Patriot]
Up until now, Box.net (otherwise simply known as Box) had been quietly snubbing the Windows Phone platform altogether, but today’s the day the cloud service finally ports its storage and sharing goods to Redmond’s mobile OS. As far as the app goes, Box is keeping things relatively simple — much like on iOS and Android — but adding a few tweaks to fit nicely alongside that Metro UI, including tidbits like pinning tiles to the Start screen for viewing updates on files. Of course, you’ll also be able to manage your content straight from the application, as well as locking any docs with a passcode in case “paranoia” is your middle name. Notably, Box knows it’ll have to compete directly with Microsoft’s own SkyDrive, to which Chris Yeh, VP of Platforms, says his company “will be watching carefully to see if SkyDrive gets the better integration” of the two. Regardless, folks can download the Box app now from the WP Marketplace, and best of all, it won’t cost you a single dime.
Filed under: Cellphones, Storage, Software
Box shares the app love with Windows Phone, hopes SkyDrive doesn’t get special treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Pre-orders for Drobo‘s latest external storage arrays have opened, with retailers offering up early spots for the new Drobo 5D and Drobo Mini ahead of their September release. Announced back in June, the two models pack Thunderbolt connectivity and optional mSATA SSD bays that can dramatically increase performance, and Drobo claims that pre-sale interest in the pair has been the most frantic of any of the company’s models.
Multiple retailers are officially offering pre-orders. Amazon has the Drobo Mini and the Drobo 5D priced at $649 and $849 respectively, while CDW has the Mini and the 5D at $689.99 and $899.99 respectively. Finally, TigerDirect will also be offering pre-orders, though currently does not have either model listed; Drobo says that should happen in the next 24hrs. There are more retailers listed here, and Drobo offers the Mini and 5D direct.
If you haven’t been keeping up, the Drobo Mini is the company’s most compact model so far, a 7.3 x 7.1 x 1.8 inch box with room for four 2.5-inch drive bays and a mSATA SSD bay enabling new Drobo Accelerator, a caching system for speeding up overall performance. Two Thunderbolt ports – the second for daisy-chaining devices together – along with a USB 3.0 port round out connectivity, and Drobo is even including all the necessary cables.
As for the Drobo Mini, that steps up to five 3.5-inch hard-drive bays, and has the same trio of ports and all the required cables. It also has the mSATA SSD bay for boosting performance, and Drobo claims it runs quieter than its last-gen model.
Drobo Mini and 5D up for pre-order is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
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The European Commission is digging it its heels and officially launching an investigation into 13 companies for allegedly rigging bids on optical drives with at least two major OEMs. The companies haven’t been named, but it’s safe to assume if the Commission is getting involved these aren’t two-bit players selling cheap knockoffs. With the Statement of Objections issued, now its a matter of gathering evidence and formally charging those it can build a case against. With an e-book investigation underway and a DRAM conspiracy not far in its past, the existence of an optical drive cartel is probably not the sort of news the Commission wants to hear right now. Sadly, there’s not much detail to share, but you’ll find the complete and brief PR after the break. Now its just time to sit back and wait to see what companies we’re allowed to start hating next.
Continue reading European Commission investigating 13 companies for optical drive price fixing
Filed under: Storage
European Commission investigating 13 companies for optical drive price fixing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Super Talent has introduced a new line of USB 3.0 flash drives namely the Express ST2-3. Coming in three different storage capacities: 8GB, 16GB and 32GB, these high speed USB flash drives (blue & red color options) feature a convenient capless design, a retractable USB 3.0 connector and promise to deliver read and write speeds of up to 67MB/s and 24MB/s, respectively. Prices unannounced yet. [Super Talent]
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