While the popularity of Blu-ray is on the rise, this high-def format hasn't been able to make up for declining DVD rentals and sales. According to a study by Screen Digest, global revenues dropped by 4.8% in 2008, resulting in a loss of $2.6 billion. Also, due to the current economic climate, Senior analysts at Screen Digest also don't expect Blu-ray to drive even minimal sector growth until 2010.

The global video business lost more than $2.6bn in 2008 due to a combination of a fall in both DVD purchase and rentals by consumers. The figure, which equates to a downturn of 4.8 percent globally, is published in the latest report from Screen Digest (www.screendigest.com). Whilst the decline in North American DVD sales is well documented, the decline in international markets (global excluding North America) has received less coverage.

Internationally last year consumers spent $26.4bn on video software, with two thirds of that figure ($18.1bn) spent on buying DVD discs. The overall figure represents a 3.6% drop on 2007 spend and a 4.7% drop on disc sales alone. The sales figures are in line with the overall trend which saw consumer spending plateau between 2004 and 2007 and the North American market starting to decline in 2007 which signalled the start of a global downward trend.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, today announced the launch of two new “Pop” colors, Sweet Pink and Ocean Blue, to its popular S Series external hard drives, along with the introduction of a new 160 Gigabyte (GB) density for the 1.8 inch S1 Mini drive. Samsung’s S Series external hard drives, the 1.8-inch 120GB S1 Mini and 2.5-inch 500GB S2 Portable 2.5 inch external hard drives, were first introduced last October in four colors: Piano Black, Snow White, Wine Red, and Chocolate Brown.

Personal storage is among the fastest growing markets due to an increasing demand for a portable means of storing personal photos, music, HD movies, schoolwork, business data and personal finance information. To illustrate this point, the S series has achieved record-breaking sales during the last six months amid a global economic recession. The monthly sales volume of the S1 Mini and S2 Portable has tripled since last December, linked to a rise in netbook and notebook sales.

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Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the release of the DataTraveler® 200 (DT200), the world's first 128GB USB Flash drive. The large capacity along with password protection gives users the flexibility to carry critical data with them at all times in a very small form factor.

"The new DT200's robust storage capability lets consumers store complete libraries of music, photos and videos. It is also a great tool for business users who carry around large databases or files," said Andrew Ewing, USB business manager, Kingston®. "The password protection helps safeguard data and requires no admin rights, making the DT200 a terrific solution for the home or office."

The Kingston DataTraveler 200 features a capless design to protect the USB connector when not in use and is enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost™. It is available in 32-, 64- and 128GB capacities. The 128GB drive is build-to-order only. Customers who wish to purchase it can place an order through normal channels (e.g., e-tailers or resellers).

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Mimoco’s STAR WARS MIMOBOT line of designer flash drives will explore the dark side with an all-new collection, featuring fan favorite Sith Lords and new versions of classic designs. In addition to the previously announced Darth Maul design, the fourth installment of the popular USB devices will also include a re-imagining of the original MIMOBOT series’ centerpiece – Darth Vader.

The new Darth Vader Unmasked MIMOBOT features a removable helmet, underneath which lurks the scarred countenance of Anakin Skywalker, as played by Hayden Christensen. For added excitement, one in six Darth Vader MIMOBOT drives will unveil “chase” variants of Anakin’s face from Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi – older, paler and at peace, having come to terms with his estranged son Luke.

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