Kingston Digital Launches its Fastest USB Flash Drive

• DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 Allows for High-speed Transfers
• Kingston HyperX Performance, Style in a Portable USB 3.0 Flash Drive
• Stores up to 51,000 Images, 54 DVDs or 48,000 MP3s

Fountain Valley, CA — November 17, 2011 — Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the Kingston DataTraveler® HyperX® 3.0. The DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 is designed for enthusiasts and gamers, and features the fastest speeds and largest capacities that Kingston has to offer in a USB Flash drive.

Its high-speed eight-channel architecture provides USB 3.0 data transfer rates of up to 225MB/s read and 135MB/s write. Users can save time associated with opening, editing and copying large files and applications between devices. The fast write speeds also allow users to work on large files or applications directly from the USB 3.0 drive without performance lag.

“Enthusiasts have long known HyperX as the memory of choice for overclockers and power users who need the most performance from system memory,” said Andrew Ewing, Flash memory business manager, Kingston. “The new DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 USB Flash drive continues this tradition. With the fastest speeds and largest capacity, this storage device is the perfect solution for users who require high performance and carry a lot of data.”

The DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 is available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities. The 256GB capacity can store approximately 10 Blu-ray Discs™ (25GB each), 54 DVDs (4.7GB each), 48,640 MP3s (4MB each) or 13,473,684 Microsoft® Word files pages with various formatting and basic graphics.

With a durable and sleek design, the Kingston DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 is a terrific portable storage solution for gamers, enthusiasts, early adopters and high-end consumers who require the best performance and highest capacities to carry their digital library. Faster speeds and higher capacities enable users to quickly store their digital files and keep it with them at all times, in HyperX style.

DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 features a metal and rubberized casing with a reinforced key ring hole for daily use. It allows users to keep it with them at all times, as it can be easily attached to a key ring or lanyard.

A video of the device can be found here.

DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 is backed by a five-year warranty, 24/7 tech support and legendary Kingston reliability. For more information visit www.kingston.com.

Kingston DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 Features and Specifications:

• Capacities*: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
• Speed**:
  • USB 3.0: up to 225MB/s read and 135MB/s write
  • USB 2.0: up to 30 MB/s read/write
• 8-Channel Architecture
• Backwards Compatible: with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports
• Solid/rugged design: durable metal and rubberized casing provides increased protection
• ReadyBoost™ Support
• Dimensions: 2.952″ x 0.916″ x 0.626″ (74.99mm x 23.29mm x 15.9mm)
• Operating Temperature: 32°F to 140°F (0°C to 60°C)
• Storage Temperature: -4°F to 185°F (-20°C to 85°C)
• Simple: just plug into any USB port
• Practical: durable casing with a solid lanyard loop

Warranty: 5 Years

Western Digital has announced that they’ve updated their made-for-Mac line of My Passport external drives: the My Passport Studio, and the My Passport for Mac. The most obvious difference for the updates involves the drives’ physical design, with WD wrapped these new drives in an all-metal enclosure instead of the usual shiny plastic. The result? They’re more durable than their predecessors. As a bonus, the new drives look pretty good, with design cues that match Apple’s aluminum-clad Macs.

The My Passport for Mac is still your average USB 2.0 drive that simply offers high storage capacities for mobile users, and has been given a boost with a larger capacity. The mobile drive now tops out at 1TB for $130, and starts out at $100 for the base 500GB model.

The My Passport Studio is a premium drive designed for performance. Aside from the larger capacity (it also tops out at 1TB), the My Passport Studio also sports two FireWire 800 ports alongside the usual USB 2.0 port. The FireWire interface give it faster file transfers, while the extra FireWire port lets users daisy chain another external drive or multiple peripherals (like a camcorder or digital camera) to a single port on a Mac. The My Passport Studio costs $130, $160, and $180 for 500GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities respectively.

Both drives feature support for Apple’s Time Machine backup feature.

What happens after the promised 100 years of protection, we don’t know. But since living to see that point is unlikely, we’re not going to care. Anyway, the Memory Vault connects via USB 2.0, uses a solid state drive for storage, and features SanDisk’s Chronolock technology that makes the hundred-year claim possible.

Coming up with a drive that virtually promises to keep your digital stuff safe for as long as you live? We say: awesome product. Unfortunately, the Memory Vault’s capacity is limited to 8GB and 16GB models, which means that it won’t be enough to store your favorite Blu-ray movies, but it should be good enough to store a huge amount of irreplaceable photos.

Thee Memory Vault is due out in October, starting at $50 for the 8GB drive and $80 for the 16GB version.

Toshiba has announced that they’ll be coming out with the FlashAir, an 8GB SDHC card that they labeled as “the world’s first SDHC memory card with embedded wireless LAN functionality to meet the SD Memory Card Standard.” It’s pretty similar to the Eye-Fi Pro X2 (which is already available for $100), but unlike the Eye-Fi card that supports only one-way transfers, this one comes with an extra function that will let you receive files from other devices and not just send. It’s basically an 8GB SDHC card that’ll allow you to wirelessly transfer photos to and from other network-connected devices, letting you upload shots directly from your digicam straight to your computer or smartphone, or other FlashAir-compliant digicams.

Toshiba didn’t give any pricing yet, but the FlashAir 8GB card is set for a release in February 2012. Press release after the break.

Press release from Toshiba:

TOKYO–Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced that it will launch the world’s first^[1] SDHC memory card with embedded wireless LAN functionality to meet the SD Memory Card Standard. The new card, “FlashAir™”, has an 8GB capacity and supports both peer-to-peer transfers and uploads to and downloads from servers. Samples will be available from November 2011 and sales will start in February 2012.

FlashAir will be featured at IFA 2011, in Berlin, Germany from September 2.

At a time when digital cameras have achieved immense popularity, users want a quick and easy way to share photographs with friends and to transfer them to and from online storage services and social networks. Toshiba provides the solution with FlashAir, the world’s first SDHC memory card with embedded wireless LAN functionality that is fully compliant with the SD Memory Card Standard.

FlashAir’s embedded wireless communication function allows users to upload and download photographs to and from a server and to exchange photographs and other data with other devices, including digital cameras^[2] that are FlashAir compliant and, smartphones and PCs that support wireless LAN. All transfers are done wirelessly, without any need for a cable connection. Key features of the new card include the ability to receive as well as transmit and lower power consumption than other cards with similar functions.

Even in digital cameras not compliant with FlashAir, the new card can share digital images with smartphones and PCs that support wireless LAN.

Toshiba will secure certification of FlashAir for wireless communication in Japan, North America and Europe.

Toshiba will reinforce and extend its leadership of memory business by further enhancing its SD memory card line-up.

Notes:

[1] As of September 1, 2011. Source: Toshiba Corporation.

[2] A number of camera makers are now considering launching compliant products.

Key features

Product name:	THNSW008GAA-A
Capacity:	8GB
Price (tax included):	Open
Start of sample shipping:	November 2011
Start of sale:	February 2012

Note:  The above product name is for the Japanese market.

Specifications

Standard:	SD Memory Card Standard
Wireless LAN Standard:	IEEE 802.11b/g/n
Wireless LAN security:	WEP, TKIP, AES (WPA, WPA2)
Card capacity:	8GB
Speed class:	Speed Class 6
Applicable format:	JPEG, RAW, MPEG, etc
Power Supply Voltage:	2.7-3.6V
Operating Environment:	Temperature: -25°C to 85°C Relative humidity: 95% at 25°C (no condensation)
External dimensions:	32(L)×24(W)×2.1(T)(mm)
Weight:	Approx. 2g

Note:  The above specifications are as of September 1, 2011.

*The card can be used in devices that comply with the SDHC Memory Card Standard.
*”FlashAir™” is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation.
*The SDHC logo is a trademark of SD-3C. LLC.

Unless you go SSD, you don’t usually buy a mobile hard drive for performance – you buy them for the compact form factor and, well, the storage. But what if you want some performance to go with that portable form factor and sub-1 Terabyte combo? Well, here’s your answer: Seagate just announced the GoFlex Turbo, a mobile hard drive built for better-than-usual speed, thanks to a USB 3.0 port and a 2.5-inch 7,299rpm drive.

The GoFlex Turbo comes in either 500GB or 750GB capacities, as well as a little extra from Seagate: the drive come with two-year coverage from SafetyNet, a service that recovers data – either remotely via an internet connection or in their own lab – in case the drive crashes.

The GoFlex Turbo is available now, starting at $120 for the 500GB model and $140 for the 750GB version. Since it’s a GoFlex drive, the drive can also connect via eSATA or FireWire 800 with optional GoFlex upgrade cables.

Anyway, here’s what Kingston has on tap: the Wi-Drive is pretty much like Seagate’s GoFlex Satellite, or G-Technology’s G-Connect: it’ll let iOS owners, who really have no storage expansion options, add more movies, photos or music to an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad without having to connect cables or go through a laptop. The drive itself comes with an 802.11 g/n connection that can be used to connect three users simultaneously, and it hooks up easily via a Wi-Drive App (free from the App Store).

The Wi-Drive comes with a mini USB port that it uses for file transfers and battery charging.

The difference between Kingston’s Wi-Drive and the other mentioned wireless drives is that this one seems to be rocking a solid state drive (limited to only 16GB and 32GB capacities), while the others rock 500GB mobile drives. It’s a bit limited on storage, but it’s at least a little more compact at 9.8mm thick. It’s also cheaper (overall, but not cheaper per GB): the Wi-Drive is available now, costing $130 for 16GB and $175 for the 32GB model.

A mobile hard drive that has a compact, rugged shell and a fast interface? Can’t get any more awesome than that. Well, maybe you can if you replace the mechanical innards with a solid state drive, but an SSD that packs 500GB to 1GB would be so expensive, it won’t even be funny. So here’s a nice solution: LaCie has announced the Rugged Mini, which is basically the mini-fied version of their existing LaCie Rugged, giving you the same levels of protection, the same fast USB 3.0 interface, but in a smaller form factor.

The Rugged Mini is protected by a shell that gives it protection from shock and drops, thanks to a rubber sleeve that wraps around the drive. It’s also listed to be “rain-resistant,” and pressure-resistant for surviving up to a ton of pressure – or, as LaCie puts it, “you can drive over it with a 1-ton car, and it still works!” Not something we’d advise trying out, but if ever you needed a drive that can live through an accident, then here you go.

LaCie also gave the drive built-in AES 256 encryption, through a security app called Private-Public for locking in your data.

No word on availability yet (the drive is listed to be “available soon”), but the drive will be available in three versions. The 500GB version starts at $100, a 500GB model with a faster 7200rpm motor costs $120, while the top-end 1TB version is priced at $160.

External drives are external drives, right? They’re shiny plastic boxes that you use to store your digital stuff. But while companies strive to make them look pretty (or at least presentable, usually with plain, glossy colored shells), they’re rarely something you’d show off to your buddies. They sit in the background, they store and backup your data, and that’s it. Here’s something that’s clearly designed to be seen: LaCie just tag-teamed up with Porsche Design to come out with a pair of external hard drives that actually looks awesome: the LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Hard Drive P’9220 and the LaCie Porsche Design Desktop Hard Drive P’9230.

Maybe it’s the manly, boxy design. Maybe it’s the brushed aluminum case. Hey, for car lovers, maybe it looks better because it comes etched with “Porsche Design” along the corner. Whatever it is, it looks good. Of course, the drives are built for performance too, with a faster USB 3.0 interface for speed, and an eco mode to save on power. Not that it matters much. There are a lot of USB 3.0 drives right now. We like this one because it just looks good.

The P’9220 mobile drive will be available in 500GB for $105 and a 1TB version for an unspecified price from LaCie, while a 750GB version will be sold at Porsche Design stores. The P’9230 desktop drive starts at $120 for a 1TB model and tops out at $160 for the 2TB model.

The drives come with password protection and backup software. LaCie also offers 10GB of online storage via the company’s Wuala cloud service.

The G-Connect also comes in a single 500GB capacity, and features 802.11n connectivity that allows it to stream HD content to up to three users at the same time, standard-def content to 5 users, or as a simple access point for hooking up more than five devices at a time. An Ethernet port at the side also lets it connect directly into a network for creating an instant hotspot.

It comes with its own built-in rechargeable battery that can be juiced up via USB or AC adapter, features iTunes sharing, and comes with its own indexing software that categorizes content as photos, music, videos, or documents to make for easier browsing. It’s also designed to work well with Macs, coming with support for Apple’s Time Machine feature.

It’s currently up for preorders for $200 on G-Technology’s site, and is due out in July.

The Nomad features a small port door along the Nomad’s edge, allowing you to plug it into a computer without having to pull the drive out of the shell, a carabiner ring that’ll let you strap it to your bag along with your other outdoorsy gear.

The drive case only costs $30 — relatively affordable, considering how important your mobile data is. Definitely a must-have for travelers who shelled out $99 for a WD My Passport drive (it’ll fit any WD My Passport drive).