SanDisk has announced two new secure USB flash drives. Developed with business users in mind, the Cruzer Professional and Cruzer Enterprise offer password protection and hardware-based 256-bit AES encryption.

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced Cruzer Professional and Cruzer Enterprise, two USB flash drives that deliver strong security and state-of-the-art speed to business users. Cruzer Professional is primarily for individuals and small businesses who want to protect crucial data while also making it easy to share selected files. Cruzer Enterprise is primarily for medium and large organizations that require mandatory policy enforcement, central management and regulatory compliance...

...Cruzer Professional and Cruzer Enterprise offer password protection and virtually ironclad data security through hardware-based 256-bit AES encryption. Hardware-based encryption is much more reliable than the software-based security used in most consumer USB flash drives with password protection, because software-based protection relies on the host computer - which can be compromised by spyware and other threats -- to perform security operations. Cruzer Professional and Cruzer Enterprise are true plug-and-play devices, requiring no software installation on a host computer, so the drives will connect instantly to any computer running a modern version of Microsoft Windows.
The Cruzer Professional and Cruzer Enterprise are available now in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities and range in price from $54.99 to $184.99. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Sony has announced that they've started shipping their second Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S300. The player offers a number of new features including the advanced Dolby Digital Plus audio codec, BRAVIA Theatre Sync and CD playback. Best of all, the BDP-S300 is priced at only $499.

The new BD player is compatible with most standard DVDs and has the added feature of 1080p upscaling through HDMI to 1080p capable HDTVs, improving the picture performance of existing DVD libraries.

The model also supports AVC-HD discs encoded with x.v.Color (xvYCC) technology, a new international standard for wide color space. The standard expands the current data range of video approximately 1.8 times allowing the player to output more natural and vivid colors similar to what the human eye can actually see.

The new BD unit incorporates BRAVIA TheatreSync utilizing HDMI connectivity, which integrates the operation of the player with a compatible BRAVIA flat-panel LCD television or audio/video receiver. With the touch of a button, you can automatically turn on and switch inputs to match connected devices.
Sony isn't done with the BDP-S1 either. They will be releasing a new firmware update next week that adds support for Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby True HD. If you'd like to read more, Sony's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Plextor LLC sent out a press release this morning, announcing their new Serial ATA equipped "Super Multi" drive, the TurboPlex PX-810SA. Along with support for Serial ATA, the PX-810SA features 18x DVD±R, 10x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds.

Plextor LLC, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced the immediate availability of the TurboPlex PX-810SA DVD Super Multi Drive. The new model addresses growing customer demands for DVD burners that support Serial ATA, the evolutionary replacement for the Parallel ATA physical storage interface. The PX-810SA also includes a new bundle of value-added software applications for tasks such as data backup, video editing, and DVD authoring.

OEMs, VARs, integrators, and consumers all gain benefits from Serial ATA technology. End users enjoy fast 150 MB/sec data transfer rates. The interface supports one device per controller connection, eliminating master/slave configuration jumper issues for installers. SATA also provides a substantial pin count reduction from Parallel ATA, while thinner cables help air-flow and improve cable routing—big pluses for OEMs and integrators.
The PX-810SA is scheduled to ship at the end of this month for a suggested retail price of $89.00. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD) has announced the world’s first slim HD DVD-RW drive for mobile PC's. The SD-L912A is compatible with most existing CD and DVD formats and can write to both HD DVD-R and HD DVD-RW media.


Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD) today announced the world’s first slim HD DVD-RW drive for mobile PCs, further extending high-definition recording capabilities to the IT arena. The new drive can read, write and rewrite to HD DVD-RW discs, as well as read and write to HD DVD-R discs and standard DVD and CD discs.

Toshiba’s SD-L912A enables mobile PCs to replace larger desktop systems in the home with this additional high-definition functionality. The drive allows backup of large-capacity PC hard disk drives to the reusable format of HD DVD-RW discs and provides capabilities to store data-rich, high-definition digital content. HD DVD-RW functionality also opens the door to a wide range of applications involving storage and rewriting of large volumes of data.
No word on price yet. However, Toshiba plans to ship samples in July. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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The AACS Licensing Authority (AACS LA) just can't catch a break. On May 22nd, Blu-ray and HD DVD titles containing the latest version of AACS (MKB v3) were released. A day later, someone going by the name "BtCB" posted the new processing key (45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2) on the Freedom to Tinker website. Its still not known how this key was retrieved. However, it has been verified to work by the folks on the Doom 9 forums.

The AACS LA has yet to respond to this. However, at this point, there isn't much they can do besides issue legal threats to websites posting the key. The group must give 90 days notice before revoking the key, giving hackers plenty of time to find a new one. Add a comment
Sony has been hit by yet another patent lawsuit. Cryptography software provider Certicom recently filed a suit against the company, claiming that Advanced Access Control System (AACS) and Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) violate patents for Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC).
The patents-in-suit are two of Certicom's fundamental patents used in consumer electronics, in particular its world-leading version of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). In its complaint, Certicom alleges Sony has, and continues to, infringe, contribute to and induce the infringement of Certicom's patents by making, using, importing, offering for sale and selling their products in the U.S. without being licensed by Certicom to do so. These patents are related to content protection technologies, including Advanced Access Control System (AACS) used in Blu-ray and Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) used in wired and wireless distribution of compression audio and video. Products affected include Playstation 3, DVD players, VAIO personal computers and certain high definition TV models and audio equipment.
Considering Certicom is looking to "resolve these issues through commercial discussions and without litigation", its pretty clear that they're looking to make money off of licensing fees. Nevertheless, if they win this case against Sony, other electronics manufacturers will be vulnerable to similar suits. More information on this lawsuit can be found here. Add a comment
Super Talent has announced the launch of their Exelerator family of ReadyBoost drives. By connecting directly to the motherboard, these internal flash drives can boost the performance of Windows Vista without using up an external USB port.


Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of DRAM memory modules and flash storage solutions, today launched the new Exelerator family of ReadyBoost drives that use an internal 9-pin USB header on the motherboard.

The Exelerator family of drives was designed expressly to elevate system performance in Windows Vista by functioning as a ReadyBoost drive. These innovative new Flash drives plug into a standard 9-pin USB header inside the chassis, on the motherboard, to function as a dedicated ReadyBoost drive. With lightning fast 25MB per second read speeds and sub-millisecond access times, Exelerator drives are the perfect cost effective system upgrade to enhance the Vista experience. These drives are offered with either vertical or horizontal connectors to accommodate space constraints within different enclosures.
Super Talent’s internal ReadyBoost drives will go into production in June. The 2GB models are expected to retail for about $25. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Kingston Technology recently announced two USB microSD card/reader bundles. Designed to make make mobile data transfers faster and easier, the reader included in the bundle features a USB connector and memory expansion slot that accepts the microSD card format.

Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced two USB microSD reader plus card bundles designed to enhance mobile consumers' moving data between multiple mobile phones, PCs and digital devices. Available immediately, the new USB readers ship with either a 1GB or 2GB capacity microSD card.

"Kingston saw an opportunity to serve mobile customers with our new USB microSD card/reader bundle," said Wendy Lecot, Flash marketing manager, Kingston. "Consumers now have a handy option to back up contact info when changing phones, move digital music and videos between PC and phone more easily, and download new mobile applications for mobile phones without using additional network time," continued Lecot.
The 1GB and 2GB bundles are available now for $19.00 and $37.00 respectively. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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