Last week Transcend launched a set of SD and microSD memory cards that record data in a CD-ROM style partition. This prevents accidental or unauthorized copy, modification and deletion of the stored contents. The only catch is that the data needs to be sent to Transcend first so that it’s pre-loaded at the point of manufacture. There’s also no way to write new data to the “locked” portion of the cards.

“Exclusive ideas, creations, and artistic work are priceless assets, and essential to future business success,” the company said. “Including such materials in marketing campaigns requires an effective data management strategy to not only allow users to view the given content but also avoid possible duplication. As a result, Copy Protection SD/microSD memory cards guarantee protection of important media by storing audio and video files in a read-only partition, in a manner similar to a CD.”

According to Transcend, there are two versions of its copy protection solution: locking the entire card to prevent any kind of data manipulation (aka a closed CD), or a partially protected version that allows for space to modify and delete files in addition to the “locked” area. This is ideal for situations like brainstorming new ideas based on specific assets that cannot be copied, deleted or modified.

Still, closing the entire card seems to be the best scenario, preventing the spread of malware while sharing sensitive material to clients. “The inability to write new data offers an extra level of security against a loaded virus, which may destroy files and spread infection to other computers,” the company said. “For ease of use, Transcend’s Copy Protection SD/microSD cards have been comprehensively tested for compatibility with most platforms, regardless of the host device software and hardware settings.”

Will this be the future of commercial software? This secure format could easily replace the optical version, providing between 2 GB to 64 GB of storage space for the SD form factor and between 2 GB and 16 GB for the microSD form factor. By contrast, a Blu-ray Disc provides 25 GB on a single layer whereas a BDXL disc provides either 100 GB or 120 GB, depending on the disc’s file system.

Transcend’s Copy Protection SD/microSD cards are backed by the company’s limited lifetime warranty. For more information, head here.

Fellow Back to the Future freaks, rejoice for there’s now a USB flash drive that is also a a modified DeLorean, just like the one in the movie. $25 buys you 4 Gbytes.

Extra 80s bonus: there’s also the A-Team van flash drive for just $23. I pity the foo who doesn’t get one.

SOURCE via Flashrods

USB flash drives may not be the hottest tech hardware out there, but that doesn’t mean they can’t look good. ADATA’s latest thumb drive refresh packs the same military-spec rough and tumble credentials of last year’s S007, but this time it’s guarding some USB 3.0 goodness. While the design of the S107 is nigh-on identical to its predecessor, it’s now capable of read speeds of up to 100MB per second. The rubberized storage sticks, available in red and blue, will be available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB sizes, although ADATA is still keeping schtum on pricing and release dates.

SOURCE via ADATA

On Monday in a short-but-sweet announcement, Apacer claimed “World’s fastest” with the launch of its new high-capacity Ultra High Speed microSDXC 64 GB memory card. Compatible with the latest UHS-1 interface and version 3.01 of the SDA memory card standard, it promises up to 30 MB/s of ultra-high transmission speeds when used in devices such as smartphones, tablets, data recorders and so on.

“UHS-1 refers to Ultra-High Speed Bus 1, which can deliver transmission speeds up to 50 MB/s and features a random read/write speed of up to 500/100 IOPs,” the company said on Monday. “In addition to satisfying the requirements of smartphones, tablet PCs, HD games and audio-visual media, it can also substantially enhance the transmission speed of small files and applications.”

According to the company, the card is fully backwards compatible with the SD 2.0 memory card standard. Its massive storage capacity will allow users to store approximately 23 hours of 1080p Full HD videos, an uncompressed Blu-ray high-definition video, or over 16,000 12MP photos. “Boosting fast transfer speed and huge storage capacity, it is ideal for either current or future mobile devices,” the company added.

Actual pricing and availability wasn’t provided, but Apacer said that the new card will be offered in additional capacities other than 64 GB, starting at 8 GB. Stay tuned for more details, and probably a new challenger on the way too.

Wednesday LaCie revealed the LaPlug, a device that can share USB-based storage devices (thumb sticks, external HDDs) on a local network and remotely across the Internet. It can even stream multimedia content while also backing up multiple computers to one central location thanks to the bundled software or Apple’s Time Machine, depending on the platform.

“Simply connect the LaPlug to the network then connect the drive to the LaPlug,” the company explained Wednesday. “Instantly the user has an easy and cost-effective way to make files stored on their USB hard drives more accessible than ever. For ultimate convenience a user can connect a USB printer to the LaPlug and make it wirelessly available to all computers on the network.”

According to the specs, it features four USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and 802.11 b/g/n wireless connectivity. In regards to remote access, the company claims that LaPlug owners can set up a custom web address so that users can easily access the files stored on the USB drives simply by typing in an URL. This special hostname is created by heading over to www.dyndns.com, as instructed here.

On the streaming side, the LaPlug can pump multimedia to devices that are UPnP/DLNA-certified, such as the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, as well as the LaCie LaCinema Classic HD.

“If a user has movies on a USB key they can just connect it to the LaPlug then play the movie using the multimedia device on the network,” LaCie added. “Instantly watch movies from the comfort of your living room even if the LaPlug is located in another part of the house. The LaPlug also plays music files from a USB drive or streams music to computers on the network running iTunes.”

The LaCie LaPlug will be available through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie PROgram+ Partners and LaCie PROgram+ Reseller starting at the suggested retail price of $74.99.

This new gem is strictly for those speed-freak mobile warriors, I mean, who would need storage of 2TB on-the-go? What’s more, having them RAID up! If you really need this kind of storage, then here’s something new for you, the Sonnet’s Fusion F2, with its two 1TB drives and eSATA connector. Today the company introduces the Fusion F2QR, which also features two 2.5-inch, 1TB hard drives — but now comes with four interface options. You’ve got your eSATA, of course, but also Firewire 400, Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 connectors. There’s a new built-in RAID controller that smoothens configuration as well, and the aluminum case and fanless design keep noise to a minimum. If only it comes with Thunderbolt and USB 3.0, then this will be a rare gem. All of that fits in a shell measuring 5.9- x 6.1- x 0.95-inches. This slender slab of storage is available now and will set you back $569.

SOURCE via Sonnettech

Akitio just announced their SK-3501 Super-S3 desktop hard drive enclosure, which wraps a 3.5-inch drive in an aluminum shell.

The stackable enclosure comes with a combination interface for eSATA, Firewire 800 (x2) and USB 3.0. Akitio uses a heat sink for passive cooling and integrated a perforated front panel to dissipate hot air. The design and support for USB 3.0 does not come cheap: Akitio charges $150 for the pretty aluminum case that may even look nice sitting next to an iMac.

For those who couldn’t care less about the industrial design of the enclosure, but simply want the USB 3.0, there are options from about $30 on the street.

SOURCE via Akitio PR

Toshiba has announced a new line of Canvio external hard drives featuring a USB 3.0 interface and support for cloud storage. Now available today nationally in retail stores and via online outlets, the new Canvio 3.0 line offers 500 GB, 750 GB and 1 TB models pre-loaded with NTI BackupNow EZ software.

According to Toshiba, the software allows users to back up their data to the external drive and to a cloud drive hosted by NTI, depending on the size. For backing up the entire system, users merely send their data to the external drive itself. But for backing up specific folders and file types, users can use the virtual locker. The backup software also scans the user’s system and files and recommends which files to backup to cloud-based or on-device storage.

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When Intel first debut the “Light Peak” interface back in 2009, the impressive 10Gpbs transfer rate blew minds. However, due to several technical issues, including the inability to piggyback with a USB port, it sounded more like fusion power – great idea but when will it actually happen – than an impending reality. Then they joined forces with Apple and the result of that joint effort, the Thunderbolt, bypasses USB entirely and looks like it might even manage to supplant the USB standard… sometime in the future. For now, Apple is adding a Thunderbolt port to a wide range of their products including Macbook Pro, Macbook Air and Mac mini. That’s great for new Mac owners; they just need a peripheral that can utilize the interface.

Enter external hard drive guru LaCie. They have produced the first storage device designed to utilize Thunderbolt, the extremely twee-named Little Big Disk. Little Big Disk isn’t a misnomer. It weighs in at less than two pounds, comes in an aluminum casing housing two 2.5-inch drives and has two ports to allow it to be daisy-chained along with the 5 other devices supported by Thunderbolt. It comes in two varieties: the 1TB model at 7200 rpm for $399.95, and the 2TB version at 5400rpm for $499.95. Not cheap, but as long as you make sure not to place it on the edge of your desk and in the path of oncoming housecats, it’s likely to last at least until Thunderbolt becomes the new standard. As Mac currently sells the only Thunderbolt devices, Little Big Disk is available online and in Apple stores. Sony plans to include a Thunderbolt port in the Vaio Z21.

These days we always move around with a portable hard drive tagging along. Most data stored in these portable drives are songs and movies, but not all of them. Sometimes we also store confidential materials such as project blue prints and sensitive documents, and so how safe can they be when we’re bringing them to almost everywhere. If you keep close watch over your digital belongings like we do, security is an utmost concern for external storage devices.

Now you can keep your valuables under lock-and-key with Satechi’s LockDown — a SATA HDD enclosure that guards data via an encrypted 256 bit protection and allows lightning fast USB 3.0 transfer speeds. Utilizing a touch keypad on an OLED display, the device is only accessible through a 4 to 8 digit passcode — even if it’s connected to a PC or another device. This gives you the ability to keep “your backup data as secure as the data on your personal computer.”

Pretty sweet, right? The LockDown plays nice with both Mac and PC and is shipping now for $90.