Hasta La Gadget!

Say it with us now: “finally!” We’ve been yearning for a true Drobo NAS drive ever since Data Robotics first introduced its “intelligent” storage robot back in the heyday that was 2007, and after coming darn close with the DroboShare, the company has finally produced a bona fide networked storage solution. The Drobo FS (for ‘File Server’) utilizes the same chassis as the Drobo S, and in terms of features, it can do everything that box can, too. What differentiates it, however, is that astoundingly gorgeous gigabit Ethernet jack on the rear, not to mention a new dual-core CPU, increased RAM, a revised Linux kernel and enough overall tweaks to make it perform 4x faster than the DroboShare. We spoke with Mark Fuccio, Senior Director of Products and Markets, who obliged when we dug for even more details.

For starters, this device will boast five bays, and users can mix, match, upgrade and swap drives at will, just like any other Drobo. It’ll also support network backups of Macs and PCs, and while you won’t find a Time Machine stamp, the Time Tamer app available in the DroboApps portal will enable support for Mac loyalists who insist on using that over Data Robotic’s (likely superior) solution. It also ships with a BitTorrent client that keeps your transfers humming even when your PC is off, and it’ll handle iTunes, UPnP and DLNA streaming to boot. Firmware upgrades will be handled over the network, and users can poke around for even more applications by visiting the company’s website. One app that stood out to us, however, was one that’ll be thrown in by the recently renamed Oxygen Cloud; in essence, this will allow users to turn their Drobo FS into “the cloud,” enabling colleagues or kids to remotely access the Drobo as if it were some faraway, magical data drive connected to a mythical T3. Yeah, this definitely feels more like a corporate thing than anything else, but it’s certainly something that you won’t find on those “other” NAS drives. It should be noted, however, that the app will only support a single user for free — if you’re buying for a corporation or small business, you’ll need to hit up Oxygen Cloud to procure a multi-user license.

Aside from nabbing SMB and AFP support, Mark told us that users could reasonably expect to see file transfers between 30MB/sec and 40MB/sec, but that’s obviously subject to vary based on strain. As for pricing? Data Robotics told us that the new Drobo FS will be on sale globally today through the typical channels (Amazon, CDW, B&H Photo, Dell and NewEgg), with the empty unit selling for $699. A 4.5TB model (1.5TB x 3) will go for $999, while a 7.5TB version (5 x 1.5TB) lists for $1,149 and a 10TB edition (2TB x 5) for $1,449. Or you could just enter to win one here. Oh, and as for that DroboShare we mentioned earlier? It’s being phased out with the introduction of the Drobo FS, so if you’re jonesing for one, you might want to get that order placed.

Drobo FS: finally, Data Robotics releases a Drobo NAS drive originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever wondered how that 16GB microSDHC card that you were swooning over now looks paltry beside a 32GB version of the same thing? It’s all about the densities within, and with process technologies shrinking by the month, it’s not hard to envision 128GB, 256GB and 1TB cards that are smaller than your thumbnail here in just a few years. It’s bruited that Toshiba is fixing to drop a whopping $160 million during 2010 in order to construct a test production line for next generation flash memory chips, presumably with circuitry widths of under 25nm. As of now, Tosh produces NAND flash memory chips with widths of 32nm and 43nm, but cutting that down to 20nm or so would enable loads more memory to be shoved into the same form factors that we use today. If all goes to plan, those sub-25nm chips could hit the line as early as 2012, so we fully expect 10TB SDXC cards to go up for pre-order next month.

Toshiba preps for sub-25nm flash memory production, archivists rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 03:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What is it about having a whole lot of storage in your pocket that just makes a geek feel good? It’s like our version of carrying a handgun: even if you don’t ever plan on using it, it’s nice knowing that you could. High up on this week’s wish list is Corsair’s Flash Voyager Mini, a USB 2.0 flash drive that now comes in a 32GB capacity. That’s a lot of power, pilgrim.

This is a cap-less, retractable USB, which opens with the flick of a thumb. Sweet. It has a durable rubber casing, so you don’t need to worry about it getting scuffed or damaged. Corsair’s site currently lists only one seller: Amazon has the 32GB drive for $100.99 (with free shipping). That’s a lot of power, but I bet you can handle it.

Amazon’s decision to reduce difficult-to-cut-through plastic shells and boxes stuffed with foam as part of its “frustration-free” packaging initiative introduced last year has helped consumers and the environment.

But sometimes the idea can backfire, as some shoppers discovered. Amazon customers who bought a two terabyte Western Digital hard disk drive from the company’s website were shocked to find their disk arrive wrapped just in a bag and secured with some “cardboard hoops.”

And not surprisingly, the hard drives were either dead on arrival or failed in a few days.

“I  just got this hard drive. Guess what. DOA,” writes Sung M. Choi on Amazon’s website. “I heard clicking sounds and now I have to send it back. All this due to their lack of safe packaging. What were they thinking with their weak packaging?” Other Amazon users too have complained on the site that they were horrified to find the product wrapped similar to a book before being sent out.

The Western Digital disk drives themselves seem to be well-reviewed, gathering four out of five stars on the website.  An Amazon spokesperson says the company is aware of the problem and removed the product from its frustration-free packaging category a few weeks ago.

See Also:

• Old Hard Drives Get Sculpted Into Cars, Bikes, Robots
• Google Chrome OS: Ditch Your Hard Drives, the Future Is the Web
  
• Solid-State Drives May Be Trendy, But Consumers Aren’t Buying It
• Western Digital DRM’d Hard Drive Won’t Let You Share MP3, DivX
  

Photo: (Scoobay/Flickr)

Western Digital, which, like KFC, prefers to simply go by its initials these days, has introduced a hard drive just for the surveillance market. With surveillance constantly increasing, that’s probably a good line to be in. The WD AV-25 has a Mean Time Between Failure rating of 1 million hours. It’s also engineered to perform with demanding, always-on streaming applications while remaining cool and quiet.

Other features include advance format technology for better video quality and AV performance, SilkStream technology for smooth and continuous playback, and low power consumption.

The AV-25 is available in 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, and 500GB capacities. The smaller three are available now, while the 500GB drive will reach the market next month. Prices should range from $50 to $80.