For the last few months, Toshiba has been giving away five free HD DVD movies with each player purchased. The Blu-ray Disc Association is finally responding with their own promotion. People purchasing a Blu-ray player (including the PS3) between July 1st and September 30th will be able to get five free movies by mail.


Once the promotion starts, you'll be able to get complete details at BluraySavings.com. If you can't wait that long, a copy of the ad, as well as a list of available titles, can be found here. Add a comment

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Roxio announced today that they've released the Windows version of Roxio Crunch. Using this new application, users can quickly and easily covert their videos for playback on the Apple TV or portable devices like the iPod or iPhone.
Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), today launched the Microsoft Windows version of Roxio Crunch, which enables consumers to quickly and easily convert more of their favorite personal video entertainment for enjoyment on-the-go or in the living room. The ideal companion to the iPod, Apple TV, and the highly anticipated iPhone, Roxio Crunch offers a one-step process for converting a broad range of the most popular video formats including DVD-Video, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and DivX files into a format recognized by these Apple devices. The application includes powerful transcoding technologies and pre-defined device profiles to ensure optimal playback regardless of the screen size.
Windows and Mac versions are available now and can be purchased directly from Roxio for $39.99. A cross-platform version will be available in retail stores early next month. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Memorex sent out a press release this morning, announcing their latest TravelDrive, the M-Flyer Pilot. This new USB flash drive features a retractable USB connector, security software and support for Vista's ReadyBoost technology.

Memorex, a portfolio brand of Imation Corp (NYSE: IMN), takes portable storage to new heights with its M-Flyer Pilot, the latest introduction from Memorex’s TravelDrive line of USB flash drives. As the newest addition to the Memorex family of portable storage devices, the sleek M-Flyer Pilot features a retractable USB connector, up to 4GB of capacity, security software, and ReadyBoost capabilities for use with Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system.

While retaining the sleek body styling of the original TravelDrive M-Flyer, as featured in TIME magazine, the next-generation M-Flyer Pilot adds a splash of color to its patented capless design and spring-loaded, retractable USB connector. Available with 2GB or 4GB of storage for photos, music and data files, this aerodynamic drive sports a silver-toned body with metallic blue or red accents, based on capacity.
The M-Flyer Pilot will be available next month. Prices range from $49.99 to $79.99, depending on capacity. If you'd like to read more, Memorex's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
With Blu-ray Disc (BD) writers being too expensive for most consumers, companies like Pioneer have started to offer BD combo drives. According to DigiTimes, Lite-On will begin production of their own BD combo drives in the fourth quarter of this year.
With Pioneer unveiling its first Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo drive (BDC-S02) in May for sale at a recommended retail price of US$299, Lite-On IT plans to start production of its BD Combo drives in the fourth quarter of this year, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

The sources cited Lite-On IT's relationship with Royal Philips Electronics as the rational for entering the business. The two companies are partners in a joint venture for producing optical drives (Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions) and Philips is a charter member of the BD Association.
The only BD combo drive I have heard of is the DH-2E1S which, according to some sources at Lite-On, is already available. I guess we'll have to wait and see. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
SanDisk has announced the availability of their latest USB flash drive, the Cruzer Contour. The drive's unique slider brings out and hides the USB connector with only a few flicks of the thumb.

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced availability of Cruzer Contour, a sleek USB flash drive that brings together high-end design and blazing speed. Much like a fine wristwatch, Cruzer Contour is a luxury personal accessory as well as a piece of functional technology.

What especially sets apart Cruzer Contour, with its glossy black top and silver metallic body, is the drive’s unique sliding USB connector. Using a thumb to slide the top of Cruzer Contour back and forth brings out or hides the connector. There’s no visible switch, and no cap to lose.
The Cruzer Contour is available now in capacities of 4GB and 8GB. More information, including prices, can be found here. Add a comment
Samsung announced over the weekend that they've started mass producing the industry's first 1.8-inch, 64GB solid state drive (SSD). Here's part of their press release:

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, announced that it has begun mass producing 1.8-inch solid state drives (SSD) at 64GB (gigabytes) - the highest density SSD available today for mobile computing applications...

...The 64GB SSD consists of 64 eight Gigabit (Gb) single-level cell flash memory chips. Use of 51nm process technology permits fabrication of much smaller components, with each chip having circuitry 1/2500th the width of a human hair.
No word on pricing or availability yet. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Samsung's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
DigiTimes has reported that a smaller than expected demand has caused an oversupply of CD-R discs. In response, Taiwan's second-tier manufacturers have dropped OEM quotes below $0.10.
The lower than expected demand for CD-R discs is mainly because brand and retail channel clients in the US and Europe had replenished their inventories in the first quarter of 2007 and therefore placed few OEM orders this quarter. Additionally, the unexpectedly strong sales of digital music players around the world has diminished demand for CD-R discs, the sources pointed out.

In response second-tier makers in Taiwan have cut prices to compete for few OEM orders resulting in the low OEM price levels, the sources indicated. In addition to CD-R discs, they have reduced OEM prices for blank 4-8x DVD+R/-R discs to as low as US$0.12, the sources noted.
These prices probably won't last long. The article points out that the cost of optical-grade polycarbonate is slowing increasing due to the price of crude oil. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
If you've been waiting to buy a Blu-ray Disc writer, now may be the time. CompUSA currently has the Lite-On LH-2B1S on sale for only $299.98. This is $150 off their normal price and a good $130 cheaper than any of the retailers listed on Pricegrabber. Don't delay because at this price these drives won't last long. Add a comment

OCZ 4GB VBoost USB Flash Drive @The TechZone
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