Advanced Media has announced their new RIDATA Fingerprint USB Flash Drive. By using fingerprint verification, this new flash drive protects your data without the need for a password or special software.

Advanced Media, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of the popular RIDATA brand of recordable CD and DVD media, electronic storage products, and digital media accessories, is set to introduce its RIDATA Fingerprint USB Flash Drive. Designed for use in both professional and home applications, it integrates several advanced biometric-verification technologies to ensure user authenticity as well as provide secure data storage. No password or special software is needed.

"Since data stored on the new RIDATA Fingerprint USB Flash Drive can only be accessed through fingerprint verification, the unit provides unsurpassed security," stated Harvey Liu, Advanced Media president. "All of its functions are specifically based on one user's fingerprint, eliminating use by anyone else. It is an easy and convenient means of protecting personal as well as business information from unintended eyes or unscrupulous individuals."
The RIDATA Fingerprint USB Flash Drive is available in sizes ranging from 128MB to 4GB and comes with a two year warranty. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Good news for Wii fans. Nintendo has reportedly changed their mind about bringing the DVD-enabled Wii to the US. According to GameDaily BIZ, the DVD-enabled Wii will make its US debut in the second half of 2007.
Last month, we reported that Nintendo would be releasing a special DVD-enabled Wii console in Japan some time during 2007. Today, digital media software company Sonic Solutions further stirred the pot by sending out a release indicating that Nintendo has selected "Sonic CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator to bring high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version of the company's Wii gaming console."

According to the release, Nintendo plans to launch this version of Wii some time in the latter half of 2007. What wasn't clear, however, was if this announcement had been confirmed by Nintendo, and if the DVD-enabled Wii would be released outside of Japan. That said, GameDaily BIZ has now received confirmation from Nintendo that the release in the latter half of 2007 is for North America as well.
While Nintendo has not announced a price, they have confirmed that the DVD-enabled Wii will come at a higher price. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Last week, Lite-On announced their first 20x DVD burner, the LH-20A1P. DigiTimes has followed up with news that the company also plans to offer a LightScribe capable model, the LH-20A1H.
Lite-On IT has beaten rival first-tier optical disc drive (ODD) competitors, such as Sony and Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology (TSST) by launching what it claims to be the world's first 20x DVD burners.

Lite-On IT has launched two super multi models, the LH-20A1P and the LH-20A1H, both of which feature 20x write-once DVD+R/-R, 12x write DVD-RAM. The LH-20A1H also supports LightScribe.
The article also mentions that Sony, NEC and TSST plan to launch their own 20x DVD burners with volume production starting in the first quarter of 2007. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Maxell has announced that they will be releasing their new 25GB BD-R and BD-RE media to the Japanese market on December 8th. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

It is BD-R/BD-RE disk (one one side layer 25GB) for recording that Maxell puts on the market this time where it answers needs of the high-definition television recording to such removable mass storage. A large capacity and a steady record and the reproduction characteristic are achieved by inorganic/use of the achievement of BD Stampa and the high recording density that processes the narrowness track pitch ditch shape for a blue purple laser precisely and smoothly of the aspect change recording layer and 0.1mm cover layer making technology, etc.The digital Hi-Vision broadcasting can be recorded for 130 minutes like the high-definition television image quality corresponding to five mass times or more record the memory capacity 25GB(one one side layer) and DVD. Moreover, this product adopted the hard court where the record side was defended from Kiz by the type of the cartridge none to which the disk record side was exposed.
According to AV Watch, Maxell's BD-R and BD-RE media is expected to cost about 1,800 Yen and 2,500 Yen respectively. More information can be found here. Add a comment
According to an article at DigiTimes, Ritek has signed an ODM contract with Hitachi Maxell for the exclusive production of DVD and CD-R discs.
Ritek, the second largest producer of optical discs in Taiwan, has signed an ODM contract with Japan-based Hitachi Maxell for the exclusive production of DVD and CD-R discs, with an annual order value estimated at NT$8.0 billion (US$244 million) and shipments to begin next quarter, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN).
The article also points out that Ritek will not need to pay royalty feesfor discs shipped under the Maxell brand, as Hitachi Maxell and Philips have a cross licensing agreement. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

XFX GeForce 8800 Graphics Cards @ TweakTown
Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Headset @ ThinkGaming.org
Buffalo RUF2-S Series 4 GB USB Flash Drive @ ThinkComputers.org
Albatron KI51PV-754 Motherboard @ Overclockers Online
MSI 975X Platinum v.2 PowerUp Edition Motherboard @ BCCHardware.com
Vizo Propellar Dual Fan Cooler @ OCModShop
Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer's Case @ Tweaknews.net
Cooler Master iTower 930 ATX Case @ Bigbruin.com
Highpoint RocketRAID 2322 @ TweakTown
MSI NX7600GT Diamond Plus @ HardwareZone
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CyberLink sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of PowerProducer 4 Next-Gen. This new version adds a number of features including the ability to capture high-def video and author Blu-ray Discs and HD DVD's.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TWO), a world leader and pioneer in providing integrated solutions for the Digital Home, announced today the release of PowerProducer 4 Next-Gen, an enhanced version featuring high-definition video capturing and production, widescreen support and advanced Magic Video Editing tools.

The new features combine CyberLink's intelligent DVD authoring technologies with the newest generation of disc technology, offering authoring and burning on HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs.
PowerProducer 4 Next-Gen is available now for US$69.95 and can be purchased directly from CyberLink via their online store. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Sonic has announced that CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator has been chosen by Nintendo to provide DVD playback in a future version of the Wii console.
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that Nintendo, the worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, has chosen Sonic CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator to bring high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version of the company's Wii gaming console. Nintendo plans to release this version of Wii in the latter half of 2007.

Based on the same technology trusted by Hollywood studios, CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator is a robust, software-based DVD playback engine that delivers broad playback compatibility on a variety of platforms. The proven technology offers exceptional picture quality and supports all standard video and audio formats offered in the DVD specification, as well as advanced functions such as anamorphic widescreen video, motion menus, and multiple video angles. "To be involved in Nintendo's ground-breaking gaming console is extremely gratifying and a testament to the efficiency, flexibility and dependability of Sonic's technology," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Advanced Technology Group. "Game consoles represent a fresh market and platform where we can introduce a new audience of potentially millions to the quality of our brand and the power of our digital media applications."
Sadly, Nintendo is not planning to offer this new version of the Wii outside of Japan. If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Moser Baer recently announced their Platinum range of CD-R media. These new discs use a hardcoat technology to resist scraches and dust as well as a patented dye technology to ensure data protection for 200 years.
Moser Baer expands its commitment to 'New Breed' of data backup technology with the introduction of the ‘Moser Baer Platinum' range of CD-Rs. The optical media with Hardcoat technology is more scratch and dust resistant and uses a ‘Patented Dye Technology' to ensure data protection for 200 years under standard operation and storage conditions.

According to Ratul Puri, Executive Director, Moser Baer India Ltd, "This is another major breakthrough from our R&D labs. The media will help the Indian users with an efficient and low cost backup solution and bridge a key gap in archiving critical and sensitive data."

With the launch of the Moser Baer Platinum range, the company hopes to tackle the key problems in optical media data storage - scratches, scruffs, smudges and grime. With the unique patented coat, CD-R will largely be scratch resistant by ordinary handling builds and will prevent smudges on the discs.
No word on pricing or availability. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Moser Baer's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

Saitek Eclipse II Unobtainable Edition Gamers Keyboard @ Futurelooks
Logitech G5 Battlefield 2142 Edition Gaming Mouse @ I4U
MSI NX8800GTS-T2D640E (GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB) @ HardwareZone
Icydock MB559 External Removable Hard Drive Enclosure @ ThinkComputers.org
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