Sony Optiarc Europe announced today that it will begin shipping its new 24x DVD writer, the AD-7240S, in March of this year. While there aren't a lot of details yet, Optiarc has stated that the Serial ATA equipped AD-7240S will be capable of 24x DVD±R, 12x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. The drive will also support Optiarc's Auto Strategy and Adaptive Self Tuning technologies which optimize writing quality and performance by compensating for disc and drive variations.

While Optiarc America has not made any official announcements regarding the AD-7240S, sources at the company indicated that the drive will be hitting the North American market about the same time as Europe.

VUDU announced this week that it is the first on-demand service to sell movies in high definition. The company currently has more than 50 HD movies available on its 1080p Internet Movie Player, including the 2009 Academy Award winning documentary, Man on Wire. Movies are priced between $13.99 and $23.99 and can be stored on a consumer's VUDU box or in the VUDU Vault.

VUDU, Inc., a leading provider of digital on-demand entertainment products and services, today announced it has achieved another industry milestone by becoming the first on-demand service to offer high definition movies for download to own on its popular 1080p Internet Movie Player. HD movies are available for purchase today to all VUDU owners.

Until now consumers have been restricted to renting HD movies from on- demand services, including VUDU's library of over 1,400 HD movies, the largest HD library in the world. Today VUDU unveiled a collection of over 50 HD movies from top independent studios that are available for both rental and download to own. Movies offered in this collection will be available for purchase in both instant HD and VUDU's industry-leading HDX format at the same price. HDX is the highest quality on-demand format available anywhere on cable, satellite, broadcast, or the Internet.

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A-DATA Technology, a worldwide leader in high performance DRAM module and flash memory products, announced today its new 64GB S901 USB Flash Drive.

A fashion accessory both eye-pleasing and sporty
Integrating colorful design and rubber material, S901 is both eye-pleasing and sporty. It also comes with a fashionable, vibration-resistant outer casing to keep your data safe and intact. Compact in size, the A-DATA S901 is easy and convenient to carry large amounts of data around with you when you are traveling or working. It is water, dust, and shock resistant and keeps your data from being damaged. Combining the state-of-the-art technology, practical functionality and stylish design, the S901 helps to express one’s unique lifestyle!

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Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) today announced that it has agreed to acquire Fabrik, Inc., a privately-held supplier of personal and professional storage solutions. Fabrik, whose leading storage brands include G-Technology and SimpleTech, strategically positions Hitachi in the fast-growing external storage business.

Industry analyst firm IDC expects worldwide personal storage device shipments to grow from approximately 52 million in 2008 to 123 million in 2012. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Closing of the acquisition, which is subject to customary conditions, is expected to occur early in the second quarter of 2009.

Fabrik’s business will continue intact and form the core of Hitachi GST’s newly-formed external storage business. Hitachi GST will fully support the G-Technology and SimpleTech product lines, building upon their success and differentiation in the market. The combined company will also leverage operational, technical and product development resources, distribution channels and global reach to accelerate delivery of a full portfolio of traditional hard drives, solid state drives and branded personal and professional storage products.

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