Western Digital unveils first-ever 512 gigabit 64-layer 3D NAND chip
Solid state drives are one of the greatest things to ever happen to computers. Whether for business or personal computing, these SSDs have increased disk access performance dramatically. Heck, for mobile devices like laptops, the switch from physical hard drives has also improved battery life, while better protecting data from bumps and jostles.
As great as these solid state drives are now, they are only getting better. For example, SATA-based SSDs were once viewed as miraculous, but they are now looked at as slow -- PCIe-based NVMe drives are all the rage. To highlight the steady evolution of flash storage, Western Digital today unveils the first-ever 512 gigabit 64-layer 3D NAND chip.
Dropbox introduces Smart Sync and Paper
Dropbox has announced "significant product updates", introducing Smart Sync (some of you might know it as Dropbox Infinite), and Paper.
The company says the introduction of Smart Sync and Paper will boost team productivity and improve collaborative processes, end-to-end. First up is the Smart Sync. Dropbox calls it an "industry first", cross-platform, on-demand cloud storage solution. It offers intuitive storage, allowing users to sync all the content from their computers to their Dropbox accounts.
Aegis launches new generation secure flash drive
Last year we reviewed the Aegis Secure Key 3.0 encrypted flash drive. Apricorn, the company behind it, has now launched a new 3z version delivering even more security.
The Secure Key 3z offers top-level security innovation (FIPS 140-2 level 3 validation pending) at a lower cost and in a smaller form factor than before. It's accompanied by Aegis Configurator, a Windows-based software package that allows 10 or more compatible Aegis Secure Devices to be set up and configured simultaneously.
LaCie refreshes 'd2' and 'Rugged' external drives with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
LaCie's external drives are iconic -- especially in the Apple community. While the USB storage drives will work with Windows and Linux-based operating systems too, the designs are often more in line with Mac computers.
Last year, Apple released new MacBook Pro laptops which only have USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports. Naturally, LaCie needed to refresh its products to accommodate these modern ports, and it has done so with two of its most popular -- the "d2" and "Rugged".
SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1 Solid State Flash Drive is insanely fast, but it isn't Type-C
Just yesterday, Kingston announced the world's biggest capacity flash drive -- the DataTraveler Ultimate GT 2TB. While that storage device can hold a lot of files, the company did not share the drive's speed -- which could (maybe) indicate it isn't particularly fast.
If you don't need two terabytes of storage, and would rather have a flash drive that is very fast, SanDisk has a new USB drive that may excite you. The Extreme PRO USB 3.1 Solid State Flash Drive is insanely fast, although the 3.1 in its name refers to generation 1 -- not "true" USB 3.1 which is generation 2. In other words, the 256GB drive is really USB 3.0. Also, rather than leverage the more modern Type-C connector, the drive uses the older (and not reversible) Type-A.
Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT 2TB is world's largest capacity USB flash drive
As more and more people embrace cloud storage, USB flash drives are becoming less essential. This is unfortunate, as it can be empowering to store your own data locally -- not needing an internet connection to access things like family photos and movies.
Today, Kingston announces a product that may get people excited about flash drives again. The company has created a 2TB pocket flash drive (also available in 1TB), called DataTraveler Ultimate GT (Generation Terabyte). This is now the world's largest capacity USB flash drive.
DreamObjects improves enterprise cloud storage
The cloud is becoming the first place many businesses turn to when looking to increase their storage capacity.
Web hosting and cloud services company DreamHost is looking to give enterprises more scalable, reliable, and high performing cloud storage with the launch of its latest DreamObjects storage hosting service.
Seagate Duet is a 1TB USB HDD with automatic Amazon Drive cloud backup capability
When it comes to backing up a computer, I am a big proponent of the cloud. While local backups should also be part of your plan, redundancy is key. If there is ever a disaster, such as a flood or fire, you will be very glad for the cloud backup. If the cloud storage company goes out of business, you will be thankful for the local copy. In other words, don't just rely on one method.
Seagate has an interesting new product, called "Duet", that it developed with Amazon, and it aims to create a positive redundant backup experience. The hardware itself is rather basic -- a 1TB 2.5-inch portable USB (Type-A) hard disk drive. The magic is in the software (Windows and Mac only), however, as it creates automatic cloud backups of the HDD contents to Amazon Drive in the cloud.
Scality improves security for enterprise cloud
As organizations store more of their information in the cloud increased focus is placed on keeping it secure from breaches and other threats.
Cloud storage specialist Scality is launching a new version of its RING software defined storage technology to provide extended security features and a trusted, compliant and secure storage infrastructure.
Plextor EX1 SSD targets Apple MacBook Pro (2016) with USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C interface
Apple's all-new MacBook Pro looks to be a very well-designed machine. It features Thunderbolt 3/USB Type-C ports only -- something I think is a wise choice. True, those that want to leverage USB Type-A and other ports will need to use dongles, but in a couple years, consumers will be glad to have nothing but the latest-and-greatest connector on their machine. For comparison, look at FireWire, floppy disk, and optical drives -- Apple was panned for their removal too.
If you need to expand storage on your new Touch Bar MacBook Pro, you unfortunately cannot upgrade the internal SSD. Instead, you will need to leverage an external drive using the aforementioned Type-C ports. Plextor has an elegant new product that should meet those external storage needs. Called simply "EX1", it is a USB 3.1 Gen 2 SSD with Type-C connector.
Apple makes 2016 MacBook Pro harder to repair and upgrade
Apple is obsessed with making its products smaller and lighter -- and this shows with the latest-generation MacBook Pro. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch models are more portable than their predecessors, making the prosumer line a much better choice for road warriors. But, knowing that Apple does not always give without taking away, what is the catch?
Well, in the quest to improve the new MacBook Pro line, Apple has made them harder to repair and upgrade. The company is not renowned for making laptops that are easy to service, but with the 2016 MacBook Pro line it is taking things to the next level.
How storage can help fight malware [Q&A]
We tend to think of storage as being a target when it comes to malware attacks with cyber criminals seeking to steal data or encrypt it to demand a ransom. But in fact technology can make storage part of the solution.
Hybrid storage specialist Reduxio believes innovative storage can be used to fight and defeat ransomware and malware. We spoke to Reduxio's Jacob Cherian (VP of product strategy) and Mike Grandinetti (chief marketing and corporate strategy officer) to find out how.
Why you need to know who owns your encryption keys [Q&A]
As companies move more of their data to the cloud it's not surprising that they’re turning to encryption in order to keep their data safe.
But if you're using a third-party cloud provider, who owns and controls the keys to your encrypted data? Rui Biscaia, director of product management at data classification specialist Watchful Software believes it's vital for companies to know.
Kingston Digital 256GB waterproof Class 10 UHS-I microSDXC card has lifetime warranty
Believe it or not, I am still amazed by the small physical size of microSD cards. I am from an era where 100MB Zip Disks were revolutionary, so having multiple gigabytes on a card that is smaller than a postage stamp is mind-blowing.
Today, Kingston Digital announces a waterproof Class 10 UHS-I microSDXC card with a massive capacity -- 256GB. If you do not need such a large capacity, however, do not worry -- the company is also offering this line of cards in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. Since some SKUs are being sold with a full-size SD adapter, it will work brilliantly with cameras, smartphones, drones, and more. Best of all? It comes with an impressive lifetime warranty.
Microsoft expands Surface Book lineup with new 512GB model
Available in a multitude of configurations, the Surface Book can meet the needs of many buyers in the premium segment. But, just in case you are looking for even more flexibility, Microsoft has introduced a new model in the range, which offers a higher storage capacity at a price that does not break the bank.
The Surface Book range is now comprised of seven models, four of which feature dedicated graphics. The other three -- the latest one included -- come with Intel's HD graphics, which is less powerful but not as costly an option. So, what does the new Surface Book model offer?
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