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Flash Memory
Ridata has announced that they've added a 32GB model to its 233x Lightning Series of CompactFlash cards. This high capacity card features dual channels of data throughput, allowing it to read at 35MB/s and write at 12MB/s.
Advanced Media, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of the popular Ridata brand of recordable DVD, flash media, electronic storage products, and digital accessories, has introduced a 32GB model to its 233x Lightning Series of CompactFlash cards. Proving size does matter in memory cards, it boasts one of the largest capacities, fastest transfer rates available in a CF card. It joins existing 233x Series models featuring 2GB - 16GB storage capacities.

"Mobile digital products continue to get more and more sophisticated," commented Harvey Liu, president of Advanced Media, Inc. "To that end, they require more data storage and faster read times. Our new 32GB 233x Lightning Series CompactFlash card delivers both. In today's digital flash media world, size matters. And Ridata has it."

The new Ridata 32GB/233X CF card is perfect for users of higher megapixel digital cameras. Its large 32GB capacity allows the user to store more photos, while virtually eliminating nagging wait time for data to record. Consumers are strongly urged to check the hardware device specifications to ensure the device used will work with higher capacity CF cards using the FAT32 file system.
The Ridata 32GB 233x Lightning Series CompactFlash card is available now for a suggested retail price of $199.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
ASUS recently announced two new 20x DVD writers, the DRW-20B1S and DRW-20B1ST. Along with 20x DVD±R, 12x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds, these drives feature ASUS's new Optimal Tuning Strategy (OTS) technology. According to ASUS's press release, OTS automatically adjusts the burning strategy to deliver the best possible write quality.

Catering to users that demand increased data storage, ASUS, a leading provider of high-performance optical storage devices, today announced the new DRW-20B1S/B1ST - an industry leading DVD rewriter that supports 12X DVD-RAM write, 20X DVD+/-R and 12X DVD+/-R double layer media sources. It also features Optimal Tuning Strategy - a technology that automatically adjusts burning for optimum disc backups; and E-Green Engine for great energy savings.

The ASUS DRW-20B1S/B1ST is equipped with an innovative feature - Optimal Tuning Strategy (OTS) that provides users with improved disc burning for better total write quality. With OTS, the drive will perform a test burning before really burning the disc, and OTS is intelligent enough to encompass both media and drive variations, as well as operating temperatures into its calculations - allowing it to provide the optimal write speeds to produce the optimal burning strategy for the new disc. After the disc is burnt, OTS memorizes the particular type of disc, and will utilize the same burning strategy when the same type of disc is used. This not only reduces the possibility to burn unplayable discs, it also provides high quality backups and improves compatibility so that the disc can more easily be read by other drives; as well as extends the lifetime of drives.
No word yet on pricing or availability. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, ASUS's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Flash Memory
Traxdata recenly announced the availability of its new 16GB SDHC card. This Class 6 rated card is capable of 6MB/s writing speeds and can hold six hours and 40 minutes of MPEG-2 video. Traxdata also announced that it has expanded its product lineup to include both miniSDHC and microSDHC memory cards.

Traxdata's SDHC 16GB allows users to store approximately 5000 four-megapixel images or approximately six hours and 40 minutes of MPEG-2 video on the one card. Rated Class 6 for data transfer speed, it is the highest speed class currently available, and means data can be written at a minimum speed of 6MB per second, perfect for high-definition video and images...

...In addition, Traxdata has also announced the availability of two new formats to its existing range - both a 4GB and 8GB version of the miniSDHC memory card alongside a 4GB microSDHC card, one of the smallest memory cards in the world. Both the miniSDHC and microSDHC are ideal for people who use their mobile phones for taking photos, download and store music on their phones or for those that use their mobile device for more complex use such as email, office documents and the internet.
If you'd like to read more, Traxdata's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Hard Disks
Earlier this week, Iomega introduced a "camo" version of its eGo portable hard drive. Along with a woodland camouflage pattern, the drive features 250GB of storage as well as a Power Grip band which allows it to survive drops of up to 60".

Whether you're someone with an adventuresome style and spirit, an avid participant in tough travel environments, or just want to be different from the crowd, the new Iomega eGo Camo Portable Hard Drive is a fast and fun notebook hard drive that delivers on form and function. Iomega's new eGo Camo Drive has a curved chassis covered by a woodland camouflage pattern that also comes with a black Iomega Power Grip band that not only looks cool but also provides extra durability.

The new eGo Camo Portable Hard Drive also packs a lot of storage capability - the 250GB* 2.5-inch drive is USB-powered for simple operation (no power supply required), and it comes with EMC Retrospect HD software for automatic backups, scheduled backups, or on-demand backups. With Iomega's new 250GB eGo Camo Portable Hard Drive, users can carry up to 1,000,000 photos, over 4,625 hours of music or 375 hours of video** with confidence and a look that no other portable hard drive offers today.
Iomega's 250GB eGo Camo Portable Hard Drive is available now for $149.95. Full details can be found Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

ASUS P5Q3 Deluxe (Intel P45) Motherboard @Hardware Zone
ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express 7.1 Audio Card @HotHardware.com
AV LABS AVL337 Bluetooth Speakers @tkArena
Canon IXUS 80 IS Digital Camera @InsideHW
CoolerMaster Hyper Z600 @CHW
CoolIT Systems PURE CPU Cooler @TweakTown
Lian Li Armorsuit Series @TweakPC
Razer Destructor Professional Gaming Mat @ThinkComputers.org
Samsung U900 Soul @ Hardware Zone
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Hard Disks
Hitachi announced this week that it has begun shipments of its fourth-generation 7,200 RPM mobile hard drive, the Travelstar 7K320. According to Hitachi's claims, this new 320GB hard drive is not only 12% faster than its predecessor, it uses 22% less power.
Continuing its longstanding tradition of delivering superior performance with no sacrifices required, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) today began shipment of its fourth-generation 7,200 RPM mobile hard drive, the Travelstar 7K320. The new drive delivers 60 percent higher capacity than its predecessor, while improving application performance by 12 percent and power consumption by 22 percent. The drive's quiet acoustics improve the experience of watching movies or listening to music on a notebook PC. The 2.5-inch drive is offered with optional Bulk Data Encryption for users wanting increased data security. Hitachi also plans to ship enhanced-availability (EA) models, designed to provide high-capacity storage for low-duty-cycle, 24x7 applications.

The performance attributes of the Travelstar 7K320 allow consumers to opt for a full-featured notebook or compact desktop model, while still achieving all the capacity and performance typically associated with a more traditional desktop PC. The new drives bring forth a number of essential features that are in strong demand from manufacturers of notebooks, compact desktops, gaming systems, blade servers and video surveillance systems. Some of these attributes include best-in-class operating shock protection of 400Gs, 5,400 RPM-equivalent power consumption and quiet acoustics.
The Travelstar 7K320 is shipping now and is expected to cost around $220. If you'd like to read more, Hitachi's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
With LG and Samsung launching 22x DVD writers, the rest of the industry has been scrambling to catch up. According to DigiTimes, both Sony and BenQ plan to launch their own drives later this year.
With Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics having already launched 22x DVD burners, Sony and BenQ plan to launch competing products in July and the third quarter of 2008, respectively, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

BenQ will have Lite-On IT, the largest Taiwan-based maker of half-height optical disc drives, undertake ODM production of its 22x DVD burners, while Sony's will be produced by either Sony NEC Optiarc, a joint venture of Sony and NEC, or an ODM/OEM maker in Taiwan or South Korea, the sources indicated.
If history repeats itself, Sony's 22x DVD writer will most likely be based on a Samsung design. As far as the BenQ drive goes, this is probably a good indication that Lite-On will be introducing their own 22x DVD writer later this year. If you'd like to read more, the entire article is available at DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Other

LG GGW-H20L Blu-ray Rewriter & HD DVD-ROM @Hardware Zone
NZXT Tempest ATX Mid Tower Enclosure @TweakTown
OCZ ReaperX HPC DDR3-1333 2GB Memory Kit @ThinkComputers.org
S3 Chrome 430 GT Graphics Card @TweakTown
Sans Digital MobileSTOR MS2UTN+ RAID Enclosure @ASE Labs
SuperTalent 8GB Pico Flash Drive @BCCHardware
VL System M-Play Blast LCD Case Display & Remote Control @Tweaknews.net
Xigmatek Achilles S1284 HDT CPU Cooler @Benchmark Reviews
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Other

A-Data FP2 USB-Stick Fingerprint @TweakPC
Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 Sound Card @TweakTown
Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850 Watt Power Supply @Tweaknews.net
NVIDIA nForce 780a SLI Motherboard Round-Up @HotHardware.com
NZXT Alpha Classical Series Mid-Tower Case @Benchmark Reviews
Razer Piranha Gaming Headset @BCCHardware
SanDisk Ducati Extreme @InsideHW
ThermoLab Micro Silencer CPU Cooler @TweakTown
Tyan Thunder n3600M Motherboard @Phoronix
Zalman ZM850-HP 850W Modular Power Supply @ThinkComput ers.org
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Optical Storage
At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Memorex introduced its new all-in-one backup solution, the SimpleSave DVD. With SimpleSave, consumers can automatically find, organize and back up their files just by inserting the disc into their DVD writer. The software automatically launches from the DVD, finds the designated files types and then burns them up onto the very same disc.

To give you an idea of what to expect from Memorex's SimpleSave DVD media, I've put together a short article showing how to backup and restore your files using this technology. If you have any comments or questions, please leave them in the forum. Add a comment

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