Seagate today announced that its FreeAgent Theater+™ HD media player now delivers easy access to content from Netflix Inc. and other providers such as YouTube, vTuner and Mediafly. Customers of these services will have access to an even larger pool of both user-generated and licensed Internet-based media on their TV using the FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player. All new enhancements are being offered to existing FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player owners through a free, automated firmware update that can also be downloaded from Seagate.com, and will be included as part of all future product shipments.

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According to a recent report conducted by the University of California, San Diego and other sponsors, Americans consume information an average of 12 hours per day—41 percent of which is spent watching TV (including DVDs, recorded TV and real-time watching). Additionally, nearly 37 percent of broadband households in North America are extremely or very interested in viewing “Over-the-Top” video content on the home TV, according to market research firm, In-Stat.

Seagate’s media player is providing a gateway for people to consume digital media, whether it is stored locally or streamed through a network or the Internet. With the FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, people can enjoy collections of photos, movies and music saved on a FreeAgent Go™ portable drive or any other USB-connected storage device. They can also choose to access and stream content using the included Ethernet port or optional wireless adapter, or connect directly to various video feeds including the Internet’s largest library of user-generated videos on YouTube.

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Samsung Electronics today announced the industry’s first production of 20 nanometer (nm) class NAND chips for use in Secure Digital (SD) memory cards and embedded memory solutions. Based on this cutting-edge technology, the introduction of 32 gigabit (Gb) MLC NAND will expand the company’s memory card solutions for smart phones, high-end IT applications and high-performance memory cards.

Mr. Soo-In Cho, president, Memory Division, Samsung Electronics, said "In just one year after initiating 30nm-class NAND production, Samsung has made available the next generation node 20nm-class NAND, which exceeds most customers requirements for high-performance, high-density NAND-based solutions." He added, “The new 20nm-class NAND is not only a significant step forward in process design, but we have incorporated advanced technologies into it to enable substantial performance innovation.”

Samsung’s 20nm-class MLC NAND has a 50 percent higher productivity level than 30nm-class MLC NAND. The write performance of a 20nm-class-based, eight gigabyte (GB) and higher density, SD card is 30 percent faster than the 30nm-class NAND and it delivers a speed-class rating of 10 (read speed of 20MB/s, write speed of 10MB/s). By applying cutting-edge process, design and controller technology, Samsung also has secured reliability levels comparable to 30nm-class NAND.

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Verbatim is launching a new generation of smaller and lighter portable hard disk drives ideal for carrying with you in any pocket or handbag. Verbatim’s new Store `n` Go Portable Hard Disk Drives also feature GREEN BUTTON software which helps to reduce energy consumption and increase the drive’s life expectancy by automatically or manually switching the drive into energy-saving mode.

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The new Verbatim Store `n` Go portable hard disk drives are available in USB 2.0 format, in 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 640GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities. For those looking for enhanced data transfer performance the hard disk drives will also soon be available in eSATA/USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 format.

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PQI announces two portable SSD products in the form of S533-E and S532-E, they are one of the first to incorporate a SATAII SSD into portable storage. It can be connected internally to a PC / laptop or through USB 3.0, used as an external portable storage. Its flexibility and functionality offers users added values! The entry model S532-E and the USB 3.0 equipped S533-E will provide more options for users to choose from!

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PQI S533-E uses USB 3.0, it transfer bandwidth is 10x that of USB 2.0 portable storage and enclosed, is a enthusiast grade SSD. In addition, it also comes with PQI’s TurboHDD USB software where it has been clocked at a maximum of 236MB/sec read and 86MB/sec write. The software boost dramatically increases transfer rate, stability, efficiency and maximizes it potential in every way!

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Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend®), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, today announced the release of its JetFlash® 330 USB flash drive, the latest addition to its JetFlash series. The stylish white JetFlash 330 offers efficient data transfer and ample storage capacity of up to 16GB, making it easier than ever to carry hundreds of personal documents, photos and music anytime, anywhere.

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The sleek, porcelain-like JetFlash 330 USB flash drive works well with any style. It features a white gloss finish embellished with an adorable color band indicating its storage capacity, and a bright LED indicator that flashes during data transfer activity. The JetFlash 330 weighs only 8.5 grams, making it lightweight enough to carry around and easy to slip into the user’s pocket or purse.

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Sonic Solutions today announced 3DAccess, a program that provides professional authoring facilities with the tools and knowledge required to prepare 3D premium video entertainment for distribution on Blu-ray 3D™ and electronically over the web to 3D-enabled consumer electronic devices. The program is part of a broader, company-wide initiative that is focused on enabling 3D access in the home and driving consumer adoption with a range of 3D-capable applications and services.

The 3DAccess program enables major motion picture studios and professional authoring facilities to meet the initial demand for 3D title creation by providing early access to new 3D-capable, add-on modules for Sonic's Hollywood-standard compression and authoring suites. Officially launching later this year, the new modules add 3D capabilities and controls to Sonic Scenarist®, Sonic CineVision®, Lemony and Scenarist QC and allow creative professionals to produce optimized 3D titles for distribution in the Blu-ray 3D format, as well as electronically via online movie services.

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Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend ), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, today launched its StoreJet 25D3 2.5-inch shockproof portable hard drive, one of the first USB 3.0 compatible peripherals introduced to the market. The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 model offers much better performance than USB 2.0 external hard drives, with real-world transfer speeds of up to 90MB/s. Featuring its significantly improved transfer rates and advanced anti-shock design, the StoreJet 25D3 provides users with a fast and durable solution to match today`s increasingly sophisticated devices.

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As technology marches forward, new kinds of media formats and storage requirements demand more bandwidth. To address this growing need, SuperSpeed USB 3.0 boasts optimized interface speeds up to 10X faster than Hi-Speed USB 2.0. Utilizing the new, next-generation USB 3.0 standard, Transcend`s StoreJet 25D3 portable hard drive delivers blazing fast data transfer rates of up to 90MB/s in real world testing, making it easier and less time-consuming to share and store gigabytes of rich digital content. 

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Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD), the pioneer in small form factor hard disk drives (HDDs), today strengthened its position as the world's leading manufacturer of automotive-grade HDDs by introducing a new HDD with 200 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity in a single-platter design.

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The 4,200 RPM SATA MK2060GSC is the highest-capacity automotive-grade HDD available and provides vehicle systems manufacturers with the high-capacity storage needed to improve telematics, navigation and entertainment systems, particularly as these systems are being designed to communicate with information and content sources outside the car.  This high-capacity automotive storage line will enable carmakers and aftermarket vendors to deliver an improved in-vehicle user experience, while enhancing driver safety.  

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patriot zephyr ssd.jpgPatriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash and computer technology, today announced the addition of the Zephyr series to its family of solid-state-drives (SSDs). The Zephyr series of SSD offer improved system responsiveness with quicker boot times and shorter application loading times over traditional hard disk drive storage solutions.

Patriot’s Zephyr series, available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities, is designed around the latest generation controller from JMicron: JMF612. With a controller level cache of 64MB DDR2, the Zephyr series provide stutter-free performance and offer speeds of up to 240MB/s Read and 180MB/s Write. To maintain performance integrity over the life of the drive, the Zephyr series SSDs include native support for the TRIM command in Microsoft Windows® 7.

“As solid-state drive technology advances, it is becoming more affordable, allowing SSD solutions to reach an increasing segment of end users. Patriot’s objective is to offer the latest technology in our solutions which provide the best performance and price options”, states Les Henry, Vice President of Engineering at Patriot. “Our Zephyr family of SSDs offer great performance, aggressive pricing and the inherent benefit of SSD technology over antiquated hard disk drives: quicker boot times and shorter application loading times. Including a Zephyr SSD in your desktop or notebook upgrade plans provides one of the best bang-for-the buck improvements you can make to your system.”

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Sony Optiarc America today unveiled two new optical disc drives - the new portable, slim external DVD/CD recordable drive and the second generation half height internal 24X DVD/CD recordable drive.

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The DRX-S77U drive boasts a sleek, lightweight design and continues to support up to 8X DVD+/-R recording speeds, delivering a full 4.7 GB disc of video, data, music or images on standard 8X DVD+/-R media. Additionally, the drive can record on 8.5 GB DVD+/-R Double/Dual layer and 4.7 GB DVD-RW discs at 6X speeds, DVD+RW at 8X, DVD-RAM at 5X and CD-R/RW at 24X. The drive comes in a retail package bundled with the Nero 9 DVD/CD mastering software suite and is compatible with Microsoft® Windows® 7. Connectivity is a snap with a Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) digital interface. The DRX-S77U is available in several popular color options to coordinate with many of the netbook color trends including black, white, pink and gold.

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