sandisk

LAS VEGAS--I was intrigued to read that Microsoft was moving ahead with a project that will enable users to carry around all of their Windows information with them on a flash drive.

I pressed Microsoft on the subject and was able to get confirmation of the Startkey project as well as a few details.

"Microsoft is introducing software (code-named Startkey) that will make it easy for users to securely replicate their current Windows PC environment, including applications, music, photos, videos, personal settings and passwords on a flash-based portable storage device," the company said in a statement. "This … Read more

A speed-boosting overhaul of CompactFlash memory technology could start arriving in cameras next year, but it's incompatible with the version used in today's higher-end models

The new version, called CFast, has faster data-transfer speeds that could let photographers take more continuous shots without waiting for the camera to catch up, cut camera makers' costs for built-in buffer memory, and make it swifter to review photos on a camera or copy them to a computer.

"It's going to end up in the high-end cameras. The reason to move to it is purely for speed," said John … Read more

In the wake of a series of technical announcements from flash memory supplier SanDisk, larger-capacity solid-state drives are on the way.

Flash memory is gaining as a replacement for hard drives in ultra-thin, ultra-small notebooks such as the MacBook Air and Asus Eee PC. Why? Flash uses less power, generates less heat, and has faster access times than hard drives. The Air, for example, offers a 64GB flash-based SSD as an option while the Eee PC is sold standard with flash storage.

There is a big catch, though. High-capacity SSDs are expensive. Prohibitively so. The flash drive in the pricier $… Read more

Every now and then, Crave thinks it's a good idea to remind people that music players other than the iPod actually exist. Yes, it's true. And we particularly appreciate those that don't get too fancy, just going about their MP3-playing business without too much fuss--like SanDisk.

And it's completely in character that the no-nonsense company isn't hyperventilating over its Valentine's Day marketing with the Sansa Clip. Rather than becoming the center of campaigns around a pink or a red Cupid edition--as were the Nano and Zune--SanDisk's 2GB player will just be offered … Read more

If consumers and businesses are going to be convinced to switch to solid-state drives over hard disks, it's going to take something more compelling than 16GB.

On Wednesday, Hewlett-Packard will introduce a new version of its Compaq DC7800 series desktop PC. The product line was initially introduced last September, but now has an option of adding a 16GB solid-state drive (SSD) from SanDisk.

Sure, fewer moving parts when storing data is more reliable and saves power, but when an audience is conditioned to expect 80GB minimum in a desktop, 16GB appears a bit puny. (That's like running your … Read more

What's this? A 4GB MP3 player for just $79? Nope, I'm not playing a cruel joke on you. SanDisk has just added the new capacity to its rather fabulous Sansa Clip line. The new version comes in a universally appealing brushed silver body with a mirrored face, and it offers all the features of its brethren, which is to say quite a few. Of course, you get the built-in removable belt clip, the super compact form factor, and the support for WMA subscription services and Audible tracks. There's also an FM tuner with an autoscan function and … Read more

It's official: Flash MP3 players are taking over. SanDisk has just announced a new version of the Sansa View...one with 32GB of built-in flash memory. Ah, it makes me nostalgic--remember the days of 30GB hard-drive MP3 players? Oh, right, those still exist. The player isn't far off, either: the expected launch date is in February of this year. SanDisk will also be releasing a 12GB microSD card later in 2008, meaning you could end up with a whopping 44GB capacity all told. In true SanDisk style, the new View is priced to sell at $349. It's … Read more

As their capacities have grown, USB thumb drives have become the method of choice to transfer data between PCs for many consumers. Some have also started using them as backups for their hard drives.

The latest SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus flash drive takes the concept even one step further by making backups of its 4GB storage automatically to an online company, BeInSync. The $60 drive comes with six months of this online service, after which an annual fee of $30 is charged.

When the Cruzer is plugged into a connected machine, the contents are automatically synchronized both ways and the … Read more