LucidPort Technology commenced shipping of the industry's first USB 3.0 to SATA bridge chip, the LucidPort USB300. The chip connects a SATA II hard drive, or solid state drive to a USB Full-speed 1.1, Hi-speed 2.0, and Super-speed 3.0 port. It supports native command queuing (NCQ), AES 128/256-bit encryption, and transfer-rates as high as 210 MB/s when used with Windows Mass Storage driver. It offers even higher transfer-rates when used with the new USB-attached SCSI (UAS) driver. The most prominent applications of this chip includes external hard-drives, and external drive enclosures. Competitors such as PLX, Fujitsu, and Faraday Electronics, etc., are expected to release similar chips later this year.

Akasa expanded its portfolio of hard drive enclosures with the DuoDock. This highly portable desktop dock measuring 140 x 108 x 71 mm, uses a top-loader to mount 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch HDDs or SSDs using the standard SATA II interface. The loader allows you to insert and eject the drives like SNES cartridges. The device draws power from an external DC power plugin, and connects the drive to the system using eSATA or USB 2.0 interface. With an AHCI-aware operating system, the dock provides hot-plug capability it is available in matte-black and piano-white colours. It will be priced around US $40.

Kingston Technology today announced its new high-capacity USB flash drive, the DataTraveller 300 (model: DT300/256GB), which packs a massive 256 GB of data in a pocketable package measuring 70.68 x 16.90 x 22.99 mm (as big as a typical flash drive, nearly twice as thick). The package design is cap-less, with the USB connector popping-out at the push of a slider. The drive offers read speeds of 20 MB/s, and writes data at 10 MB/s. The company packs its own data-encryption software to protect data. The drive supports Windows ReadyBoost technology on Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. Backed by a 5-year company warranty, Kingston is selling the DT300/256GB for 775 Euro.

Data storage specialist Verbatim today introduced its SureFire line of portable hard-drives. These palm-sized, portable HDDs come with storage capacities of 250, 320, and 500 GB, and boast of two interfaces: USB 2.0 and FireWire 800, making it out of the box compatible with PCs and Macs. It measures 81 x 128 x 15 mm, and weighs in at 186 g. Enclosed in it, is a 2.5 inch hard drive with 5400 rpm spindle-speed and an 8 MB cache. It draws its power from an AC adaptor, though when used with USB 2.0, it can rely on the port for all its power. The Verbatim SureFire is compatible with Mac OS X Leopard's Time Machine backup application. Backed by a 3-year warranty, these drives go for US $109.99, $139.99, and $179.99 for the 250 GB, 320 GB, and 500 GB models, respectively.

Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of Flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, today began shipping a 128 GB USB 2.0 flash drive that includes AES-256 hardware encryption as a standard feature.

The new 128GB Luxio drive is smaller in size than most competing 64GB USB drives, measuring approximately 77 x 21 x 10 mm (3.0 x 0.81 x 0.37 inches). The pocket-sized drive stores up to 40,000 six megapixel photos or up to 32,000 MP3 songs. The 128 GB Luxio is offered in three colors: black, silver and wood grain, and is packaged in an elegant gift box. Each drive comes with a custom black leather carrying case. Luxio drives are now available in capacities from 16 GB to 128 GB.

Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash and computer technology, today announced the release of their Xporter Mini II USB.

Designed around today's advancing computer technology, the Mini II provides a lightweight, cap-less slider architecture that makes it portable and convenient. With its sleek design, the Mini II allows for easy plug and play across multiple platforms.

"Our Xporter Mini II is a novelty of ingenious design," says Eric Akerson, Patriot's Director of Marketing. "The Xporter Mini II, now available up to 16 GB, is an affordable portable storage solution allowing users to be on the go and have the convenience of large data storage."

Japan-based Logitec (not to be confused with the more popular peripheral company with a similar name), is out with yet another compact external DVD writer. The LDR-PME8U2L is a little over a slim DVD writer enclosed in a fancy casing that comes in complete back or topped with red. It measures 136.5 x 143 x 19.2 mm, and weighs in at around 300 g.

The drive offers write speeds of 8X for DVD±R and 6X for DVD±RW, and 5X for DVD-RAM. It writes and rewrites CDs at 24X. It uses the USB 2.0 interface. ArcSoft's TotalMedia Backup & Record comes bundled. The LDR-PME8U2L drive is backed by a one-year company warranty and is priced at US $92.

Buffalo Japan announced a series of secure USB flash drives with capacities ranging between 16 and 32 GB. Products include RUF2-HSCxxGUW, RUF2-HSC32GW, and RUF2-HSCL-U16G (where "xx" is 16 or 32, indicating capacity in GB; pictured in the same order below). Selling points include the security features: SecureLock, which makes it a key for the computer, data encryption, and a native anti-virus solution from TrendMicro that scans files when its being copied, and quarantines infected files into a separate folder. The drive also lets you maintain a usage log of the drive, which tracks every file moved in or accessed. The RUF2-HSC32GUW will sell for 39800 JPY (US $420), the 16 GB variant at 29800 JPY ($320), RUF2-HSC32GW for 38800 JPY ($415), and RUF2-HSCL-U16G at 22800 JPY ($250). The drive will hit stores in Japan by mid-July

Strengthening its line up of portable 1.8-inch hard drives for external use, Samsung today announced its 250 Gigabyte (GB) 1.8-inch hard disk drive, the Spinpoint N3U which incorporates a native USB 2.0 controller on its printed circuit board. Most external hard drives require the addition of a bridge circuit board to convert the hard drive's current interface into a USB interface. Samsung's N3U drive, however, uses a native USB interface and as such does not require this bridge board. This optimized design results in a smaller foot print, less power consumption and optimized performance, which is ideal for portable external storage devices. The N3U 1.8-inch drive consumes about 40 percent less power than a normal 2.5-inch hard drive of an equivalent capacity. It has two 125 GB platters for a total of 250 GB data storage capacity. The Spinpoint N3U also comes in 120 GB, 160 GB, and 200 GB capacities, the disk rotation speed is 3600 rpm. The drives are equipped with an 8 MB of cache memory. Initial shipments to OEMs are scheduled from mid-July with a MSRP of $199.00.

Buffalo Japan rolled out a tiny, pocketable Ethernet switch in the LSW-TX-3EP/C. With three 10/100 Mbps ports to spare, the switch draws power from a USB port, or any other 5V DC source. The USB power input adds portability, letting you build a small LAN anywhere at higher and more reliable speeds than ad-hoc wireless networks. You can grab one for JPY 2280 (US $24.50) when it starts selling later this month.

Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of Flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, today introduced their new line of colorful and trendy Pico Mini USB drives, available this week in capacities from 2 GB to 16 GB. Like their siblings, the Pico drives, Pico Mini drives are built using COB technology which enables squeezing impressive Flash capacities into extremely small packages. At 32 x 15 x 3 mm (1.3 x 0.6 x 0.1 inches), Pico Mini drives are surprisingly tiny. Even more impressive, they tip the scales at merely 1.5 grams.

Verbatim EMEA released a colourful new line of portable hard drives. Inside its shell is a 2.5 inch hard drive with an unformatted capacity of 500 GB. The drive has a spindle speed of 5400 rpm. The unit weighs in at a mere 161 g (5.68 oz) and uses the standard USB 2.0 interface for power and data transfer. It comes in shell colours labeled "Sun kissed Yellow", "Eucalyptus Green", "Hot Pink", "Caribbean Blue" and "Volcanic Orange". The bundle includes a copy of Nero BackItUp 4 Essentials. Verbatim will ask €109 for this.

Spire, famous for over a decade in the field of PC Cooling is proudly introducing the universally compatible PacificBreeze II is designed for multiple application and comfort. The top aluminum surface works like a heat sink and enables fast heat dissipation, it also provides a sophisticated look. The gentle slope improves typing comfort, raises the laptop screen and reduces neck strain. The PacificBreeze accommodates laptop performance, comfort and is affordable. Trust the brand with the industry experience and 3-year warranty, Spire - Powered by Innovation.

Long renowned as one of the top providers of power supplies in desktop computing, Cooler Master makes a move into universal notebook power adapters with the SNA (Slim Notebook Adapter) 95; targeting business travelers carrying a notebook and other USB devices. With a sleek design and being the slimmest 95W notebook adapter available, the SNA 95 was immediately recognized as one of COMPUTEX 2009's hottest products by receiving the Design & Innovation Award 2009.

We've learned that Microsoft might be considering the opportunity to distribute Windows 7 on USB flash drives to ease netbook owners when installing operating systems. Although nothing is confirmed yet, this approach makes distribution of Microsoft software products a lot more convenient, bravo Microsoft for the idea. These drives will be used primary for netbooks and computers without any optical drives installed.
Unfortunately, the use of USB flash drives for this tight segment is just one of the many choices Microsoft is thinking over. Currently the company sells a downloadable version of Windows, so the same might apply to Windows 7, also users might download the content to an external hard drive and then hook it up to their netbook or a notebook for installation, instead of buying the more expensive USB flash drive with the licensed software. Read more at CNET.

Active Media Products, manufacturer of unique USB drives including the WWF Penguin and Panda drives, today announced immediate availability of the new 8GB Obama USB drive. the new USB flash drive that commemorates President Barack Obama, and comes pre-loaded with President Obama's Inaugural Address.

The Obama drive comes preloaded with 80MB of free bonus material that includes: high resolution photos of President Obama and the First Lady; over two hours of landmark speeches in MP3 format including the Inaugural Address and the Victory speech; text of 35+ speeches that track the President from 2002, to Senate addresses, the campaign trail, Presidential addresses and college commencement addresses in PDF format. Every Obama drive also includes a smiling rubber Obama charm that fits on the keychain. The drive itself is an impressive product. The waterproof drive features a chrome plated steel pivot-style lid that is adorned with a holographic image of the President. Measuring only 40 x 14 x 5 mm, the drive is exceptionally small and lightweight. The Obama drive is USB 2.0 compliant and works in any computer.

Western Digital, the world's leader in external storage solutions, today introduced its newly redesigned My Book World Edition II dual-drive network storage system in capacities of up to 4 TB. With the double protection of two Mirrored (RAID 1) drives and continuous backup software, the My Book World Edition II network storage system provides an extra-safe place for users to back up and store the data and digital media from all the computers on their network in one central location. Available now at select retailers and the WD online store, the new dual-drive systems join the recently introduced (Feb. 2009) My Book World Edition and are compatible with PC and Mac computers.

According to a July 2008 report by research firm Parks Associates, the number of households worldwide with data networks will grow from around 170 million in 2008 to 240 million by year-end 2012. The firm also reports that the average broadband household will see its digital media storage needs grow to nearly 900 GB by year-end 2012. In addition, consumers indicate that the most important feature for a network-attached storage (NAS) device is the amount of available storage. With its massive 4 TB capacity, the My Book World Edition II network storage system will serve this rapidly growing need for home data storage.

Delivering on the specialized requirements of the Mac community, Seagate today introduced an advanced line-up of mobile and desktop FreeAgent for Mac storage solutions and accessories: the FreeAgent Go for Mac with USB, FreeAgent Go Pro for Mac, the 2TB FreeAgent Desk for Mac and FreeAgent Go Dock+, a powered USB hub and dock for the FreeAgent Go.Providing a complete storage toolkit for today's creative professionals, such as web designers, musicians and graphic artists, as well as multimedia enthusiasts, these enhanced FreeAgent for Mac external hard drives each include performance and capacity improvements to help store, record, protect and share creative inspirations.

"Performance is all that counts when I record," said Rami Jaffee, award-winning keyboard player for the Wallflowers and Foo Fighters. "I can depend on Seagate hard drives for quality and convenience. When recording, a song could take up to a few gigabytes, but the fact that I can have a whole record ready for me to attack and record on a slim external hard drive is so convenient that its value is immeasurable."

Buffalo announced a new USB flash drive that pushes the limits of how small these drives can get, giving similarly sized flash-storage cards a challenge. The Buffalo RUF2-PS packs up to 16 GB of data in 18 (W) x 18 (H) x 8 (D) mm, and comes in variants of 2, 4, 8, and 16 GB. It is truly feather-weight at 3 g. The drive is so compact that the a couple of these could stay latched on to a notebook even when carrying it around. It uses a standard USB 2.0 interface. Its transfer rates or availability haven't surfaced.

Japanese company Green-House unveiled two new lines of SSDs, the internal MLC-based GH-SSDxxGS-2MA (where "xx" can be 32, 64, 128, or 256, corresponding to the model's capacity in GB), and the portable GH-SSDExxGU-M. To begin with, the GH-SSDxxGS-2MA comes in the standard 2.5" form-factor. It comes in capacities of 32, 64, 128, and 256 GB, and sports a 64 MB cache. It uses standard SATA II interface, and offers read/write speeds of 220/140 MB/s.

The GH-SSDExxGU-M portable SSD on the other hand, comes in capacities of 32, 64, and 128 GB. It measures 117 x 72 x 10 mm (WxDxH), and weighs in at a pocketable 63 g. The connectivity however, is limited to USB 2.0 for some reason, with lack of a faster interface such as eSATA. Its read/write speeds are limited to 20/18 MB/s. Perhaps the only selling point is its higher durability compared to mechanical portable HDDs. With USB sticks already touching 64 GB capacities, choose with your wallet. The pricing and avilability for the two are yet to surface.

Pioneer rolled out the DVR-XD09J portable DVD writer. It sports a slim cuboid design, and uses a top-loading mechanism like retro portable CD players. It measures 133x133x14.8 mm, and weighs in at 240 g. It relies on USB for both connectivity with the host PC, and power. It burns DVD±R at 8x and DVD±R DL at 6x speeds without requiring any external power other than what USB provides.
It packs CyberLink Power2Go 6, InstantBurn 5, MediaShow 4, and PowerBackup 2. It hits stores in Japan next month.

Active Media Products, manufacturer of unique USB drives including the Obama drive, today introduced the new Predator GT series of 2.5-inch Serial ATA solid state drives that support outrageously fast data transfer speeds and include a Flex-fit adapter bracket to facilitate mounting in 3.5-inch drive bays.

The Predator GT is immediately available through Amazon and other online resellers in 64 GB and 128 GB capacities. Predator GT SSDs are based on a new 8-channel controller and employ a beefy 128 MB SDRAM cache to reach blistering fast speeds. The 128GB model supports sequential write speeds up to 200 MB/sec while the 64GB drive supports sequential write speeds up to 120 MB/sec. Both models are capable of sequential read speeds up to 220 MB/sec and 0.1ms access times.

Reacting to users' demands for portable, high speed storage, Walton Chaintech has announced its new APOGEE Pronto eSATA drive. Modeled after APOGEE's award-winning SSD design, the Pronto uses the eSATA port instead of the USB 2.0 port for its file transfers. This product specifically targets users who require better performance and capacities than conventional flash pen drives but do not require speeds to run software and operating systems like SSDs.

The APOGEE Pronto eSATA has dualistic connectors, supporting both the eSATA and USB ports. This flexibility allows users to use the Pronto as a simple high capacity storage device, while also supporting read/write speeds of 90/50MB/s respectively, about three times faster than conventional flash pen drives. Available in 32G and 64G capacities, the Pronto supports users to store a multitude of different file types, from multimedia to office documents or any combination of both.

Photofast is on a roll with its G-Monster series solid-state storage, with product launches on a monthly basis. This time around, the company is readying two products that are unique in their own ways. First up, is the G-Monster-3.5, the company's first SSD in the standard 3.5" form-factor. The drive uses internal RAID to achieve high-capacities. While most other SSD manufacturers would simply stripe two SSD modules in internal RAID 0 configurations, Photofast used an internal RAID 5 configuration that ups reliability. The array is completely abstract to the host machine, which only sees it as a single drive. The drive uses a standard SATA II interface. It comes in capacities of 64, 128, 256, 512 GB, and 1, 2 TB. As far as its performance goes, the company rates the read/write speeds around 270 MB/s. The drive will be backed by a one-year warranty.

Next up, is the G-Monster ExpressCard/54 SSD. This drive serves the purpose of expandable, removable storage for notebooks, that performs on par or faster than the hard-drive. The card comes in the standard 54 mm ExpressCard form-factor. It can function in both PCI-Express and USB 2.0 modes for the slot. When in PCI-Express mode, the drive provides stellar read/write speeds of 170/100 MB/s, and in USB 2.0 mode, 36/30 MB/s. It comes in 32, 48, and 64 GB variants, and boasts of 1.5 million hours MTBF. It will be backed by a standard one-year warranty. There is no word on the pricing and availability.

ASUS, the leading provider of integrated Home Entertainment PC solutions, today unveiled an innovative suite of entertainment solutions for home users. Slim, stunningly beautiful, and incorporating the latest standards in dynamic home entertainment, the solutions include the ultra-slim ASUS LS and MS Series monitors, the versatile ASUS 24T1E TV Monitor that receives both analog and digital TV signals, the convenient ASUS O!Play HDP-R1 HD Media Player that supports a wide array of media formats, the aurally superior ASUS Xonar Essence ST audio card which minimizes jitters for clearer and crisper audio output, and the highly portable ASUS External Slim Blu-ray Optical Disk Drives for high quality, high definition entertainment on the go.