Advanced Media sent out a press release today, announcing its Ridata Ultra-S Plus MLC Series of Solid State Drives (SSD). These new MLC-based SSDs are available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities and offer 128MB/s read and 80MB/s write speeds.

Advanced Media, Inc., is a manufacturer and marketer of the popular Ridata brand of recordable CD and DVD media, electronic storage products, and digital media accessories. The company is pleased to introduce its Ridata Ultra-S Plus Series of Solid State Drives (SSD) featuring faster transfer speeds than current Ultra-S products. Ultra-S Plus MLC now offers users products featuring a Multi-Level Cell (MLC) SATA configuration for fast read and write speeds plus larger storage capacities at a lower cost.

"We are pleased to offer laptop and other mobile computing device users an affordable SSD alternative to Hard Disk Drives (HDD). SSD drives offer a host of benefits over traditional hard disk drives especially for notebooks. Cool and silent running, low battery usage, fast data access, dependable performance and resistance to temperature, shock, vibration and humidity make SSD ideal for the mobile computing environment," remarked Harvey Liu, Advanced Media President.
The 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions of the Ridata Ultra-S Plus MLC SSD will be available in late July and are priced at $168.90, $294.90, $539.90, respectively. If you'd like to read more, Advanced Media's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Kingston announced this week that it has added 8GB microSD High-Capacity (SDHC) flash memory cards to its mobile memory storage line. With an 8GB card, users can store more than 1,500 digital songs, more than 4,000 images from a 5MP cameraphone or up to eight hours of video on their phone.

Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the addition of 8GB microSD High-Capacity (SDHC™) Flash memory cards to its mobile memory storage line. Shipping immediately, the new 8GB microSDHC cards offer greater storage options to the latest mobile phones and digital devices in the smallest footprint available.

“Consumers are demanding more from their mobile phones, expecting them to double as music and portable game players, instant cameras, email communicators, browsers and navigators. Having enough storage capacity, particularly in the form of memory cards, keeps internal device memory free to deliver all this multi-functionality,” said Wendy Lecot, Flash card business manager, Kingston®. “Our 8GB microSDHC cards are so roomy that mobile users can easily move entire digital libraries from a PC to their mobile phones — and beyond.”
Kingston's new 8GB microSDHC card is available now for a suggested price of $58.00. If you'd like to read more, Kingston's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
OCZ Technology recently announced its new OCZ Core Series SATA II 2.5” Solid State Drives (SSDs). The OCZ Core Series SSDs are available in capacities up to 128GB and is capable of 120-143 MB/s read and 80-93 MB/s write speeds. Best of all, they are priced 50% less than comparable high performance SSDs.

OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory and computer components, today unveiled the OCZ Core Series SATA II 2.5” Solid State Drives (SSDs). OCZ has gained momentum in this pioneering technology, which uses NAND flash instead of rotating platters as the storage medium, and is a high-performance, highly reliable and energy-efficient alternative to conventional hard disc drives.

The OCZ Core Series delivers the performance and reliability of the latest SSDs at a 50% less price per gigabyte than other high speed offerings currently on the market. For the first time, OCZ is putting SSD technology within reach of the average consumer, and delivering on the promise of SSDs as an alternative to traditional hard drives in consumer targeted mobile applications.
OCZ has not announced when then the Core Series will ship. However, they have stated that the 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions will be priced at $169, $259 and $479, respectively, at the time of launch. If you'd like to read more, OCZ's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Samsung Electronics announced this week that it has begun mass production of its new multi-level cell (MLC)-based 64GB and 128GB solid state drives (SSD). Samsung's 1.8- and 2.5-inch MLC-based SSDs offer 70MB/s write and 90MB/s read speeds are are expected to last 20x longer than traditional notebook hard drives.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, announced today that it has begun mass producing 1.8- and 2.5-inch multi-level cell (MLC)-based solid state drives (SSD) with a 128 Gigabyte (GB) storage capacity. Mass production of the Samsung MLC-based 64GB SSD also began this month.

With the 64 GB and 128 GB MLC SSDs, we are satisfying the density requirements of most business users and many PC enthusiasts, who will appreciate not only the performance gains and added reliability, but also the more attractive pricing,” said Gerd Schauss, Director Memory Marketing EMEA, Samsung Semiconductor Europe.

Samsung SSDs feature far greater reliability, faster boot times and faster application start-up times than hard disk drives. Power consumption for the Samsung SSD is exceptionally low in standby mode at approximately 0.2 watts and in active mode at 0.5 watts.

The Samsung MLC-based SSD has a write speed of 70MB/s and a read speed of 90MB/s - performance levels that approach those of single-level-cell (SLC)-based SSDs now in mass production. Moreover, the new 128GB SSD will last approximately 20 times longer than the generally accepted 4-5 year life span of a notebook PC hard drive.
No word yet on pricing or availability. If you'd like to read more, Samsung's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Imation sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of its new paperclip-sized Atom Flash Drive. The ultimate in data storage portability, the Atom measures less than 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide, and weighs in at less than an ounce.

Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), a worldwide leader in removable data storage, continues to deliver the ultimate in flash drive technology and design with the availability of its smallest USB flash drive in the United States, the Imation Atom Flash Drive. Featuring a unique ultra-compact design, performance and high storage capacities, combined with password protection, partitioning software, and Windows(R) Vista ReadyBoost compatibility, the Atom Flash Drive is an essential and secure portable storage accessory for those transporting their digital life.

Roughly the size of a paperclip, the Atom Flash Drive is the smallest among Imation's flash drives, measuring less than 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide, and weighing less than an ounce. The ultra-compact and unique design allows users to attach the drive directly to other mobile devices making it easy to manage and transfer digital files. A sleek black and aluminum finish make it a stylish and professional choice for professionals on the go.
The Imation Atom Flash Drive is available now in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities. Prices range from $17.99 to $99.99, based on capacity. If you'd like to read more, Imation's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment