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From Western Digital

Western Digital Showcases New Super Speeds and Massive Capacities for M&E Workflows at NAB 2024

SAN JOSE, Calif. - April 11, 2024

At the NAB Show 2024, April 13-17, 2024, in Las Vegas, Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) is unveiling an exciting lineup of technologies and new storage solutions designed for today’s and tomorrow’s complex media and entertainment (M&E) workflows. Western Digital continues to focus on creating what’s next with advanced solutions that address a broad range of growing content needs.

The increasing demand for rich and engaging content, with higher resolutions and more frames per second, is generating the need for faster, more flexible high-capacity storage solutions to help streamline workflows and keep up with high-pressure project demands. For every step of the workflow – from capture and transfer to archive – Western Digital is committed to advancing technology to help professionals and creators get work done faster and more efficiently, ultimately saving time and money, so they can focus on their creativity.

Featuring super speeds and massive capacities, Western Digital will showcase its newest innovations from its world-renowned brands at the show. The company’s broad portfolio offers reliable, unique solutions that can significantly improve M&E workflows.

Advancing Tomorrow’s Workflow: Delivering Next-Gen Technology, Super Speeds

Driving the future of performance, Western Digital is revealing its next-gen SanDisk® SD and microSD Express portfolio with a higher level of performance for current and future applications requiring faster storage solutions that help reduce the time it takes to access and save data. With performance levels reaching SSD speeds, SD Express cards work with current SD UHS-I and UHS-II devices, while giving M&E professionals a memory solution for future superspeed devices. The new SD Express cards feature SanDisk® ThermAdapt™ technology with a specially designed enclosure and adaptive thermal managed controller, so devices stay well within a safe temperature range. SanDisk SD and microSD Express cards are expected to be available at authorized retailers, e-tailers and the Western Digital store this summer.

SanDisk® SD Express (128GB/256GB) – With up to 4.4 times faster transfer speeds than Western Digital’s fastest SD™ UHS-I card¹ this card is great for data-intensive workflows and high-performance cameras and other compatible devices. The card is backward compatible with today’s devices and ready for the future.

SanDisk® microSD™ Express (128GB/256GB) – With up to 4.4 times faster transfer speeds than Western Digital’s fastest microSD™ UHS-I card², the SanDisk® microSD Express card offers unprecedented speed, storage, and performance for pros dealing with intensive workflows. This microSD card is also backward compatible for usage with today’s devices.

M&E professionals who create high-resolution videos with state-of-the art cameras, action cams, drones, and other digital devices, can be limited if they don’t have sufficient storage capabilities. To help pros evolve their creative process, Western Digital is announcing new ground-breaking memory cards at NAB:

2TB* SanDisk Extreme PRO® SDXC™ UHS-I memory card – World’s first 2TB UHS-I SDXC™ card³ – offers massive storage capacity to capture more high-resolution images and record more 4K UHD4 videos on just one card.

2TB* SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC™ UHS-I memory card – Western Digital’s first and world's fastest 2TB UHS-I microSD card³ – high-capacity card for devices with microSD slots to capture more content than ever. The 2TB memory cards are expected to be available at authorized retailers, e-tailers and the Western Digital store this summer.

4TB* SanDisk Extreme PRO SDUC™ UHS-I memory card – introducing the world's first-ever 4TB* UHS-I SD card to deliver an insane amount of capacity in the same-sized SD form factor. Leveraging the SDUC standard (Secure Digital Ultra Capacity), which enables up to 128TB, the new card is expected to release in 2025 and will be showcased at NAB 2024. Attendees will get a preview of the 4TB SD card’s full capacity and learn more about how it will expand the creative possibilities for cameras and laptops.

Enhancing Workflow Efficiency: Expanding Possibilities with Massive Capacities, Extreme Performance

SanDisk Professional’s award-winning lineup of premium-grade desktop hard drive solutions now feature 24TB* enterprise-class 7200 RPM Ultrastar® drives inside to better support demanding 4K, 8K and VR workflows. The new range of 24TB SanDisk Professional desktop solutions can be purchased through authorized retailers, e-tailers and the Western Digital Store.

24TB* G-DRIVE® (U.S. MSRP $699.99) – Ultra-reliable storage supporting USB-C™ (10Gbps) for fast backup.

24TB* G-DRIVE PROJECT (U.S. MSRP $929.99) – Backup and save valuable project work. Compatible with Thunderbolt 3™ and USB-C (10Gbps). Also features a PRO-BLADE™ SSD Mag slot for modular SSD performance in sharing and editing across devices.

48TB* G-RAID® MIRROR (U.S. MSRP $1,599.99) – Ships in RAID 1 (Mirroring) to automatically create a duplicate of your working files for data redundancy. Compatible with Thunderbolt 3™ and USB-C (10Gbps). Also features a PRO-BLADE™ SSD Mag slot for modular SSD performance in sharing and editing across devices.

96TB* G-RAID SHUTTLE 4 (U.S. MSRP $4,499.99) – Transportable 4-bay hardware RAID solution allows for super-fast access and real-time video editing. This device ships in RAID 5, and supports RAID 0, 1 and 10 configurations.

192TB* G-RAID SHUTTLE 8 (U.S. MSRP $7,499.99) – Transportable 8-bay hardware RAID solution for those who need massive storage for consolidated backup, whether on location or in the studio. It supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 configurations, and provides transfer rates up to 1690MB/s read and 1490MB/s write in default RAID 5.5

Conquering Enormous Data Demands: Increasing Scalability, Flexibility for Massive Workflows

Western Digital's storage platforms are designed to tackle the M&E industry's colossal data challenges with cost-effective enterprise-class storage that offers scalability, durability and mobility for broadcasters, CDNs, production houses and studios.

Western Digital Ultrastar® Transporter – High-throughput, large-capacity data transfer platform for data capture, storage and mobility. Offers up to 368TB* of fast NVMe™ SSD performance and dual port 200Gb/E connectivity for storing, editing and physically transporting dailies and massive files from one location to the next, including the cloud, which can save days or weeks when compared to using online file transfer services. Take it on location where a network connection may not be feasible due to cost or poor connectivity. Weighs less than 30lbs, features a durable chassis design, and includes a proven transport case. Features added data security with a tamper evident case and is designed for FIPS 140-2 level 2 compliance with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Version 2.

Western Digital Ultrastar® Data102 JBOD Platform - Reliable, high-density external storage platform for mass storage, backup, online accessible archive and nearline content. This third-generation solution supports up to 24Gb SAS to the host to future proof your investment. The Data102 3000 platform provides up to 2.65PB* in a 4U enclosure, and supports the latest 24TB Ultrastar hard drives, including the now shipping Ultrastar DC HC580 SAS HDDs. Features the company’s unique ArcticFlow™ and IsoVibe™ innovations that have demonstrated a 62% reduction in hard drive returns caused by heat and vibration compared to the generation without.

*One gigabyte (GB) is equal to one billion bytes, one terabyte (TB) is equal to one trillion bytes, and one petabyte (PB) is equal to one quadrillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less due to operating environment.

¹Based on internal testing with the SanDisk PRO-READER SD Express Dual Card against the 64GB-1TB SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC card with SanDisk Professional PRO-READER SD & microSD. Performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.

²Based on internal testing with the SanDisk PRO-READER SD Express Dual Card against the 64GB-1TB SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I microSDXC card with SanDisk Professional PRO-READER SD & microSD. Performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors.

³Based on read speed. Up to 250MB/s read speeds, engineered with proprietary technology to reach speeds beyond UHS-I 104MB/s, require compatible devices capable of reaching such speeds. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.

⁴4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes and other factors. See www.sandisk.com/HD.

⁵1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, RAID configuration and other factors.

Orders

Order SanDisk and WD products at at B&H.

From Western Digital

Western Digital Turbocharges Versatility with New SanDisk Professional PRO-G40 SSD

San Jose, Calif. - October 05, 2022

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) today announced it has expanded its SanDisk® Professional line of premium storage solutions with the new PRO-G40™ SSD that supports dual-mode compatibility with both Thunderbolt™ 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 interfaces. Inspired by the way people create and share data today, this new drive is the company’s most rugged offering to date with a high-level IP68 rating, allowing professionals to immerse themselves in the action wherever their work or vision takes them.

“The nature of my work is unpredictable and as a result I must be incredibly flexible and versatile. I share the same expectations for every piece of equipment that I use from capture to archive which is why the SanDisk Professional PRO-G40 drive will immediately be a crucial part of my workflow,” said Andy Handcock, action, portrait and reportage photographer, and PRO-TEAM ambassador. “I need storage solutions that are lightweight, compact, rugged, and insanely fast. This checks all the boxes for me. The PRO-G40 SSD can easily withstand the rigors of travel and location work while doing so with a minimal footprint. Thanks to SanDisk Professional products like these, workflow is one less thing I need to stress about which frees me to focus more on the creative. That is paramount.”

Whether for a business professional or creative pro, the PRO-G40 SSD is a simple, flexible solution that offers great efficiency to get the job done. Professionals who are ingesting, editing, rendering, and transferring large amounts of mission-critical content need portable storage that is powerful enough to eliminate unnecessary downtime, and durable enough to handle heavy usage. The versatility of both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface compatibility when collaborating eliminates the need to have two different drives, one for each interface. The PRO-G40 SSD offers extreme speed and durability for real-time editing 4K/8K straight off the drive, smooth AR/VR rendering, or transferring daily workloads in quickly.

“The new PRO-G40 SSD eliminates the problem we have all experienced before: grabbing the wrong USB-C™ cable or computer for our Thunderbolt 3 or USB devices,” said Hector Sandoval, vice president of product marketing, pricing and programs at Western Digital. “By supporting both interfaces and including a cable that does as well, this drive enables creatives to efficiently collaborate across devices without having to worry about carrying the right gear nor diminishing sustained performance as they continue producing impactful content that powers our world.”

Key Features

• Dual-mode compatibility with both Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) hosts through a single port makes collaboration across devices easier for maximized efficiency.
• The new offering boasts super-fast speeds up to 2700MB/s** read and 1900MB/s** write with a Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) interface. Move 50GB in 30 seconds or less and power through even the most demanding workloads. The cool aluminum core pulls heat away from the internal drive to help maintain super-fast transfer speeds over time.
• The PRO-G40 SSD has a pro-grade enclosure that is ready for any adventure and delivers a premium strength you can feel. Its ultra-rugged design with IP68 dust/water resistance, up to 4000-pound crush resistance, and up to 3-meter drop resistance*** help withstand the elements in just about every location for ultra-durability.

Availability

The PRO-G40 SSD is available now for MSRP $299.99 (1TB*) and $449.99 (2TB*) in the United States with a five-year limited warranty.

Orders

Order the SanDisk Professional PRO-G40 SSD from B&H.

* 1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.

** 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.

*** On a carpeted concrete floor.

From WD:

Western Digital Comments on Production Status of its Joint Venture Flash Memory Manufacturing Facilities

San Jose, Calif. - February 09, 2022

Western Digital Corp. (Nasdaq: WDC) today announced that contamination of certain material used in its manufacturing processes has occurred and is affecting production operations at both its Yokkaichi and Kitakami joint venture, flash fabrication facilities.

Western Digital's current assessment of the impact is a reduction of its flash availability of at least 6.5 exabytes. The company is working closely with its joint venture partner, Kioxia, to implement necessary measures that will restore the facilities to normal operational status as quickly as possible.

About Western Digital

Western Digital creates environments for data to thrive. As a leader in data infrastructure, the company is driving the innovation needed to help customers capture, preserve, access and transform an ever-increasing diversity of data. Everywhere data lives, from advanced data centers to mobile sensors to personal devices, our industry-leading solutions deliver the possibilities of data. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk®, and WD® brands.
 

Ordering any needed WD, Western Digital, G-Technology, and SanDisk flash products immediately from B&H seems like a logical plan. Also logical would be for the supply of alternative options to be impacted.

From Western Digital:

Ultra-Transportable 4-Bay G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle with Thunderbolt 3 and ev Series Bay Adapters Provides the Speed and Capacity Content Creators Need On-Location and In-Studio

SAN JOSE, CA – Jan. 16, 2018 – Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC) today introduced two new ultra-transportable solutions in its high-powered G-Technology G-SPEED Shuttle product family. The new solutions are designed to meet the demands of professional content creators who need lightning-fast transfer speed and high-capacity storage solution that can easily be moved from the studio to wherever your project takes you, and back.

The rise of streaming video on demand (SVoD) services are providing many new opportunities for studios, production houses and independent film makers. To capitalize on these opportunities, the right tools are crucial. When working in-the-field, production teams need a fast solution that can handle demanding workflows of 4K and 8K content with the ability to collect that precious footage and quickly move the content from location to location.

The new 4-bay G-SPEED Shuttle solution seamlessly integrates into the Thunderbolt 3 ecosystem* and delivers the capacity and performance needed for professionals to thrive in creative media and entertainment workflow environments, yet is designed with transportability in mind to quickly and safely get the data in the hands of the post-production teams. For example, with the G-SPEED Shuttle, a professional can transfer one hour of 4K footage at 30 frames per second (fps) in just minutes at up to 1,000 MB/s.

"The value of captured video content is immeasurable as it can’t be easily reshot or recovered if lost. One of the biggest pain points facing film makers is not having the ability to move the massive amounts of footage quickly and reliably to the next stage of the workflow – both physically and virtually. If you’re looking for a fast, high-capacity solution that’s also easily transportable, your options are limited. With the power of Thunderbolt 3, the flexibility to integrate with our ev Series, and a design optimized for mobility, the G-SPEED Shuttle is the perfect solution for any on-the-go project team," said Scott Vouri, vice president strategy and business development, G-Technology, Western Digital.

G-SPEED Shuttle Features and Availability

• G-SPEED Shuttle with Thunderbolt 3: Able to handle demanding multi-stream workflows of 4K and beyond, both on location and in the studio, the G-SPEED Shuttle solution with dual Thunderbolt 3 ports offers content creators up to 48TB and hardware RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 in a 4-bay transportable design. Equipped with transfer rates up to 1000MB/s** and removable 7200RPM enterprise class drives, creative professionals have the ultimate storage solution for demanding video and photography workflows and high-capacity storage. The G-SPEED Shuttle with Thunderbolt 3 is available in the U.S. now in 16TB ($1,799.95), 24TB ($2,299.95), 32TB ($2,799.95) and 48TB ($3,799.95).
• G-SPEED Shuttle with ev Series Bay Adapters: While similar in features with the G-SPEED Shuttle with Thunderbolt 3, this model’s integrated ev Series bay adapters improve workflow options and productivity by enabling cross-functionality with all ev Series drives and readers. Users can experience enhanced reliability coupled with fast transfer rates up to 500MB/s and up to 24TB. The G-SPEED Shuttle solution with ev Series bay adapters is available in the U.S. now in 20TB ($1,999.95) and 24TB ($2,299.95).

The above G-Technology solutions use the HGST-branded Ultrastar enterprise-class drives and are backed by an industry-leading 5-year limited warranty. G-Technology brand storage solutions come pre-formatted for Mac computers and can be easily reformatted for Windows computers with the G-Technology Windows Format Wizard.

B&H has the G-Technology 4-Bay G-SPEED Shuttle Arrays in stock with free expedited shipping.

From WD:

At CES 2018, Western Digital Showcases Voice-Activated Media Streaming via Smart Home Devices, the World’s Smallest 1TB USB Flash Drive and a New Series of High-Performance Portable SSDs

Las Vegas, NV - January 8, 2018 – At today’s Consumer Electronics Show 2018 (CES 2018), Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC) unveiled new and breakthrough consumer solutions that address today’s personal content explosion, including voice-activated media streaming via popular Smart Home devices, the world’s smallest 1TB USB flash drive and a portfolio of ultra-mobile, high-performance, wireless and high-capacity flash storage products. Sold under the SanDisk and WD brands, these offerings ensure that personal experiences and memories can thrive for years to come.

Smartphones, drones, action cameras and virtual reality (VR) goggles are capturing and creating rich content that users want to access and share with friends and followers alike. Innovations in multi-lens cameras, 8K video, 5G wireless, VR, augmented reality (AR) and video streaming are enabling more immersive experiences. As a result, consumers are looking for easier ways to capture, preserve, access and share their personal content as it becomes richer and more robust.

“Our lives are increasingly connected to and enriched by pictures, videos, music and ideas,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president of product management, Client Solutions, Western Digital. “From the parent filming a school recital on their smartphone to the drone enthusiast or pro photographer, our range of consumer solutions are designed to help everyone preserve, access and share their digital world.”

At CES 2018, Western Digital is showcasing its latest solutions for today’s data-driven consumers, including:

• New voice-activated media streaming features via Smart Home devices. The My CloudTM Home device empowers people to easily capture, preserve and organize all of their content in one central place. In a Smart Home environment, the My Cloud Home device now works with popular devices that support Amazon Alexa services so people can access their stored music collection via voice commands. The My Cloud Home app now also works with Google Chromecast technology to allow people to stream their home videos, TV shows and movies on the big screen using Chromecast-enabled Smart TVs.†
• Continuing its legacy of technology milestones, Western Digital offers a preview of the future of flash storage, demonstrating the world’s smallest 1TB* USB device, a powerful USB Type-C flash solution capable of preserving an enormous amount of content in one tiny form factor; and the world’s smallest 256GB USB flash drive. The new 256GB SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive, a low-profile USB drive for people who want to add more photos, videos, games and audio files to their notebooks, tablets, TVs, gaming consoles and car audio systems. With 256GB, people have the flexibility to keep more content at their fingertips – approximately, 14,000 photos, 10 hours of full HD video and 16,000 songs, with 64GB still available for files.
• For avid photographers and drone enthusiasts who require durable and high-performance media capture solutions, Western Digital is releasing two portable SSDs. The My Passport Wireless SSD, which features one-touch card copy to enable editing and sharing of content out in the field, as well as a new capability to directly access the device within third-party mobile creative apps, like FiLMiC Pro and LumaFusion. While the new, superfast SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is perfect for saving and editing hi-res photos and videos on-the-go.

Enabling the possibilities of data, Western Digital offers the industry’s broadest portfolio of products and solutions to help people capture, preserve, access and transform their personal content.

† Smart Home app and account registration may be required. Smart Home device compatibility may be changed, terminated or interrupted at any time and may vary by country.

B&H has the WD My Passport Wireless SSD Drives in stock and will carry the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs.

From Western Digital:

Irvine, CA - October 11, 2016 – Western Digital Corporation (“Western Digital”) (NASDAQ: WDC), today introduced modern and innovative redesigns of its My Passport, My Passport for Mac, and My Book hard drive lines, which have been highly recognized leading sellers for more than a decade. In partnership with fuseproject, an award-winning industrial design and branding firm, the reimagined products were built with the customer in mind. Developed to help make a connection between the device and user, the new drives also include password protection and hardware encryption so customers will love their hard drive as much as they cherish the content stored on it.

“As the storage landscape continues to rapidly evolve, and the bars for design and user-experience have increased, the team focused on the design and user experience to catapult My Passport and My Book to the next level,” said Jim Welsh, senior vice president, Content Solutions Business Unit, Western Digital. “Through the reimagined design language, we want to engage consumers in a conversation about how storage is core to their lives and how they feel more empowered by the real benefits of capturing, protecting and enjoying life’s precious memories.”

“The way we use data is changing; it’s becoming much more of a personal commodity, something we value,” says Yves Béhar, founder and Principal Designer at fuseproject. “Western Digital lies at the intersection of our physical life and the digital world, and we wanted to create a quality aesthetic that symbolizes this intersection.”

As part of the reimagined design, the My Passport drives will come in six vivid colors – Black, Yellow, Red, White, Orange and Blue – while still providing reliable portable storage that perfectly complements an on-the-go lifestyle. The My Passport for Mac drive is available in a stylish Black color. The trusted desktop storage device, My Book, combines personal style with a massive amount of storage space, up to 8 TB, so users can keep their photos, videos, music, and documents. Each storage device comes with an automatic backup solution for a seamless, user-friendly process, as well as password protection to keep your precious data safe.

The new WD products include:

My Passport portable hard drives – trusted and loved portable storage, in a reimagined design, that fits in the palm of your hand

• New attractive design with textured bottom
• Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• Automatic backup with included WD Backup software
• Up to 4TB capacity

My Passport for Mac drives – your MacBook computer’s best friend

• New attractive design with textured bottom
• Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• Formatted for Mac OS X and Time Machine ready for easy backup
• Up to 4TB capacity

My Book desktop hard drive – trusted, high capacity backup for PC and Mac

• Password protection with hardware encryption
• Automatic backup with included WD Backup software
• Up to 8TB capacity

Pricing and Availability
My Passport and My Passport for Mac portable hard drives are protected by a 2-year limited warranty and are available from wd.com and at select retailers and distributors around the world. My Passport drives have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $79.99 USD and the My Passport for Mac drive has a starting MSRP of $79.99 USD.

My Book desktop hard drives are protected by a 2-year limited warranty and are available from the WD store at wd.com and at select retailers and distributors. My Book drives have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $129.99 USD.

B&H carries WD My Passport and My Book drives.

From Western Digital:

PHOTOKINA, COLOGNE, GERMANY, Sept. 20, 2016 – Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a global storage technology and solutions leader, today unveiled its SanDisk 1TB terabyte (TB) SDXC card prototype at the world's leading trade fair for photo and video professionals. With increasing demand for high resolution content, such as 4K and 8K, the company continues to push the boundaries of technology with solutions that support the exponential growth of data-intensive production demands.

“Showcasing the most advanced imaging technologies is truly exciting for us,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product management, Content Solutions Business Unit, Western Digital. “Sixteen years ago we introduced the first SanDisk 64MB SD card and today we are enabling capacities of 1TB. Over the years our goal has remained the same; continue to innovate and set the pace for the imaging industry. The SanDisk 1TB SD card prototype represents another significant achievement as growth of high-resolution content and capacity-intensive applications such as virtual reality, video surveillance and 360 video, are progressing at astounding rates.” Since the introduction of the record-breaking 512GB SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card at Photokina 2014, Western Digital has proven it can nearly double the capacity in the same SD card form factor using proprietary technology. Higher capacity cards expand the possibilities for professional videographers and photographers, giving them even greater ability to create more of the highest quality content, without the interruption of changing cards.

“Just a few short years ago the idea of a 1TB capacity point in an SD card seemed so futuristic – it’s amazing that we’re now at the point where it’s becoming a reality. With the growing demand for applications like VR, we can certainly use 1TB when we’re out shooting continuous high-quality video. High-capacity cards allow us to capture more without interruption, streamlining our workflow, and eliminating the worry that we may miss a moment because we have to stop to swap out cards,” said Sam Nicholson, CEO of Stargate Studios and member of the American Society of Cinematographers.

Western Digital will be demonstrating the SanDisk 1TB SDXC card prototype and showcasing its newest offerings at Photokina, Hall 02.1 Stand A014.

B&H carries SanDisk memory cards.

In late February of this year, SanDisk proclaimed they had the "World's Fastest Transfer Speed" in their newly announced Extreme Pro 128GB microSD memory card. It now seems the transfer technology has migrated up the card capacity ladder.

From WD/SanDisk:

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS SHANGHAI, China – June 29, 2016 – Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a global storage technology and solutions leader, today introduced a new suite of 256 gigabyte (GB) microSD cards, which includes the new 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card – the fastest microSD card in its class. The new suite of cards also includes 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition, the first 256GB card optimized for mainstream consumers. The new additions deliver leading speed and capacity in a fingernail-sized card, giving smartphone, drone and action camera users the performance and capacity they need to capture professional-grade videos and photos without worrying about running out of space on their device.

“Our microSD cards are now at the center of many consumer devices, and we’re excited to not only raise the bar with the launch of the world’s fastest microSD card, but to also offer a family of 256GB microSD cards that give consumers the flexibility they need to capture life at its fullest,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president of SanDisk product marketing, Western Digital. “As a leading global storage provider with one of the most trusted flash brands, we take pride in transforming the way consumers capture, store and share their content.”

Whether taking pictures, shooting 4K UHD or Full HD video, or storing high-fidelity music, the new 256GB cards give consumers the freedom to capture and carry a massive amount of content on their devices without concern about storage limitations.

“At DJI we focus on creating easy-to-use drone technology for consumers to capture everyday exploration and photography, and our customers need quick and reliable access to their high quality aerial footage,” said Eli Morgan Harris, strategic partnerships, DJI. “With the new 256GB SanDisk microSD UHS-I cards, they now have greater flexibility to capture their content on high-performance storage and the peace of mind knowing they can continue shooting when it matters most.”

The Ultimate Combination of Capacity and Performance

The 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card delivers unmatched transfer speeds of up to 100MB/s**, allowing users to save time transferring large files, as well as write speeds of up to 90MB/s** for rapid capture of photos. Users can record an estimated 14 hours of 4K UHD video1 on the 256GB card, making it ideal for high-performance drones, action cameras, and 4K-capable smartphones, among other devices.

The 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition, is ideal for Android-based smartphone and tablet users who don’t want to worry about running out of space on their devices. The new card is capable of storing more than 24 hours of Full HD video1, and also features premium transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s**. At this speed people can move files quickly – up to 1,200 photos in just one minute2.

Built to perform in harsh conditions, the new cards3 are also waterproof, temperature-proof, shock proof, and X-ray proof. Additionally, the SanDisk microSD card line up is compatible with the SanDisk Memory Zone app for Android, giving users an easy way to manage and back up content on their device. The app is available for free through the Google Play Store4.

Heritage of Memory Card Innovation

The new suite of cards is the latest breakthrough offering to join the cutting-edge SanDisk portfolio of mobile memory solutions. The first to introduce 128GB and 200GB microSDXC, and 512GB SDXC high-capacity cards, SanDisk continues to pioneer technology that keeps up with consumers’ evolving storage needs.

Pricing and Availability

The 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition, will be available worldwide in August 2016 with a U.S. MSRP of $149.99. The 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card will be available worldwide in calendar Q4 2016 with a U.S. MSRP of $199.99.

The complete line of SanDisk microSD cards can be purchased at more than 300,000 retailers worldwide.

B&H carries SanDisk microSD memory cards.

From Western Digital:

IRVINE, Calif., June 28, 2016 – Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC) today announced the launch of its My Passport Ultra, and upcoming My Passport for Mac and My Passport Ultra Metal portable hard drives, with up to 4TB capacity, filling the need for people to physically carry massive personal collections of videos, photos and other content with them, in a device roughly the size of a smartphone. The perfect blend of style and functionality, these My Passport portable hard drives meet the needs of today’s consumers with features people love like easy-to-use backup software, password protection and portable style in multiple colors, coupled with USB 3.0 connectivity.

Perfect for students, business people and general consumers on-the-go who prefer to carry their device with them, these My Passport portable hard drives are dependable, with easy-to-use WD Backup automatic backup software1 with cloud-ready Dropbox integration and 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection to help safeguard against unauthorized drive access. With these My Passport drives, it's now easier than ever to have a content protection plan that fits everyone’s busy life.

“The increasingly mobile lifestyle has consumers capturing their lives with smartphones and high-resolution cameras, growing their personal content collections and creating demand for even more storage capacity,” says Sven Rathjen, vice president of marketing, content solutions, Western Digital. “At WD, we’re committed to providing our consumers with space to take their digital lives with them through high-capacity and high-quality devices.”

Pricing and Availability

My Passport Ultra 4TB portable hard drives have a 3-year limited warranty and are available now at select retailers and distributors. The My Passport Ultra 4TB hard drive has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $159.99. The My Passport for Mac and My Passport Ultra Metal 4TB hard drives will be available next quarter.

B&H carries the My Passport Ultra 4TB hard drives.

IRVINE, Calif. – June 21, 2016 – Western Digital Corporation ("Western Digital") (NASDAQ: WDC), a global storage technology and solutions leader, today introduces the WD Pro Series: My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi mobile storage.

My Passport Wireless Pro

My Passport Wireless Pro Wi-Fi mobile storage lets creative professionals and enthusiasts leave the laptop behind when on a shoot. Using the direct Wi-Fi connection, creators can automatically backup files from compatible cameras, as well as save, edit and transfer work seamlessly from up to eight other devices connected to the drive. Tethered connections are also available for faster transfers and include a built-in SD card reader as well as a USB 2.0 port.

Available in capacities up to 3TB, the My Passport Wireless Pro device also features up to 10 hours of battery life* and a built-in battery pack that can even be used to charge phones and other devices like digital or video cameras.

To ensure creative professionals can continue to work while in the field, My Passport Wireless Pro devices include compatibility with Adobe's Creative Cloud for mobile photo and video editing, as well as compatibility with Plex Media Server, which is capable of playing up to four streams of content while on-the-go.

B&H carries the WD My Passport Wireless Pro External HDs.

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From SanDisk:

MILPITAS, Calif. - May 10, 2016 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced that the Ministry of Commerce of China (“MOFCOM”) has approved the acquisition of SanDisk by Western Digital Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC).

All necessary regulatory approvals for the acquisition have now been received and the transaction is expected to close on Thursday, May 12, 2016. SanDisk stockholders previously voted to approve the transaction at a special meeting of stockholders held on March 15, 2016.

“We are pleased that the final regulatory approval has been received and we can now proceed with the planned combination with Western Digital,” said Sanjay Mehrotra, president and chief executive officer, SanDisk. “We thank our stakeholders for their support of this transaction and look forward to contributing to the success of Western Digital as it transforms into the leading storage solutions company.”

From Western Digital:

New Color Designated Line Features up to 8TB Capacity with Optimal Performance, High Capacity and Enhanced Reliability for Datacenter Applications

IRVINE, Calif. – Apr. 19, 2016 – Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a world leader in storage solutions, today announced the expansion of its award-winning color portfolio with a new line; WD Gold datacenter hard drives. WD Gold datacenter hard drives are designed for a broad range of applications – including small- to medium-scale enterprise servers and storage, and rack-mount datacenter servers and storage enclosures. WD Gold drives are currently available at select U.S. distributors, resellers and through the WD Store.

With purpose-driven designs for the datacenter, WD Gold datacenter hard drives are launching with a new, high-capacity configuration of up to 8TB that offers HelioSeal helium-technology for performance, ideal capacity per square foot, power efficiency and low power consumption for datacenter environments. WD Gold datacenter hard drives feature an optimized design with an 8TB option that helps reduce the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of servers and storage systems, benefiting IT administrators challenged with growing storage capacity needs on limited budgets. WD Gold hard drives will also include a premium dedicated support line for customers worldwide.

"Western Digital has a proven history of providing award-winning purpose-driven products for unique requirements of each application environment, like WD Red, WD Purple and WD Blue drives," said Brendan Collins vice president of product marketing, Western Digital Corporation. "WD Gold is a pinnacle part of the color portfolio strategy and another step in creating optimized drives for the markets we serve. Our continued goal is to deliver the most competitive and reliable solutions on the market."

WD Gold datacenter hard drives include:

• Improved power efficiency – New electronics enhance power efficiency up to 15 percent. HelioSeal technology enables up to 26 percent lower power consumption
• Better performance – Up to 18 percent sequential performance improvement over previous generation WD Re 4TB datacenter drives, and up to 30 percent improvement in random write performance over previous generation WD Re 6TB datacenter drives through media-based cache, and up to 3x improvement over competitive offerings
• High reliability – WD Gold incorporates best-of-breed design, manufacturing and test processes to achieve one of the highest reliability ratings in the industry – 2.5 million hours MTBF (8TB offering)
• Dedicated Premium Support Line and WD Gold Model Numbers – Western Digital offers a 24/7 premium support line for WD Gold customers and can be reached at U.S.: (855) 559-3733; International: +80055593733. WD Gold model numbers:
• 8TB: WD8002FRYZ
• 6TB: WD6002FRYZ
• 4TB: WD4002FYYZ

B&H has the WD Gold Series Hard Drives available for preorder.

From WD:

New My Cloud OS 3 Puts Control of Content into the Hands of Consumers with Greater Photo Sharing, Backup and Synchronization

IFA - BERLIN, Germany – Sept. 1, 2015 – WD, a Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) company, and world leader in storage solutions, today introduced significant enhancements to WD’s family of My Cloud personal storage devices, including a new, redesigned My Cloud OS 3 operating system, Software Developer Kit (SDK) enabling enhanced app integration and a dual-drive My Cloud Mirror personal cloud storage offering increased memory and faster processing performance than previous generations.

WD’s My Cloud OS 3 features an intuitive user interface delivering a rich content sharing experience, and back-up and sync capabilities that elevate the personal cloud NAS offering while retaining the privacy and control unique to personal cloud devices physically located in the home or office.

"We know our personal cloud customers place the highest value on their personal content and enjoy the peace of mind from backing up PCs, smart phones and tablets to and centralizing content on their My Cloud systems," said Jim Welsh, senior vice president and general manager of Content Solutions at WD. "They tell us they are confident in the privacy, control and anywhere access we provide them with the My Cloud OS. Now, with My Cloud OS 3, we’ve made users’ management of their digital lives easier than ever before."

My Cloud OS 3 features powerful new photo and video capabilities via two new user experiences: MyCloud.com and My Cloud Albums app. MyCloud.com provides users global access to their My Cloud via an intuitive web browser based user interface and enables file collaboration, comprehensive access management and a photos and videos gallery view. My Cloud Albums, available for download late September on iTunes and Google Play stores, allows a My Cloud OS 3 user to send a link to a common location, or "album", on the My Cloud to all their friends and family.

My Cloud OS 3’s new WD Sync feature syncs data across multiple PCs and notebooks, ensuring that important files are up to date and available to users from almost any device. The new OS also allows users to set up automatic camera-roll backup of photos from smartphones and tablets and offers a new transfer tool that enables users to easily and quickly move their files to My Cloud devices. The OS also includes Chromebook and Chromecast support.

As part of the My Cloud OS 3 launch, WD has introduced My Cloud Device SDK and My Cloud API enabling developers to build new extensions, features and capabilities within the My Cloud ecosystem of personal cloud storage devices. The My Cloud Device SDK, based on the Docker open platform technology, ensures developers can easily access and collaborate to create customized experiences. Partners already developing extensions and new features based on the new SDK include Plex and Milestone.

In addition to new software upgrades, WD has also introduced a new version of My Cloud Mirror personal cloud storage devices, featuring two hard drives set to Mirror Mode (RAID 1), ensuring content is stored on one drive and automatically duplicated to a second drive. My Cloud Mirror personal cloud storage includes the new features announced for My Cloud OS 3 and an improved processor and 1 GB RAM for faster file transfers and application support

Attendees of the annual IFA Consumer Electronics Unlimited show in Berlin September 4-9, 2015 can visit the WD booth (#103) in Hall 11.2 of the Berlin ExpoCenter for a demo and hands-on experience with the new My Cloud OS 3, My Cloud Device SDK and My Cloud API.

Pricing and Availability

WD My Cloud OS 3 will be available at the end of the month as a free download on current My Cloud personal cloud storage devices. My Cloud devices supporting the new OS 3 include: My Cloud, My Cloud Mirror, My Cloud Expert Series EX2/EX4, My Cloud Expert Series EX2100/EX4100 and My Cloud Business Series DL2100/DL4100. Customers can also download the new WD My Cloud mobile apps, which are now available on the iTunes and Google Play stores. All WD My Cloud devices are available today in the WD store at wdstore.com and at select retailers and distributors. Access to My Cloud Device SDK and My Cloud API will be available to interested developers late September.

My Cloud Mirror will have a Manufactured Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of 4 TB $309.99, 6 TB $379.99, 8 TB $429.99 and is available at select retailers and distributors beginning on September 30th.

B&H carries WD drives.

From WD:

New My Passport Drives Now Feature Up to 3 TB Capacity, Easier Backup Software and Personalization Options

IRVINE, Calif. – May 27, 2015 – WD, a Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) company, and world leader in storage solutions, today introduced the new, redesigned My Passport Ultra portable hard drives and My Passport for Mac drives. With the My Passport line now in its 7th generation, the My Passport Ultra and My Passport for Mac portable hard drives are now available in capacities up to 3 TB1 and in four stylish colors2 - Classic Black, Brilliant White, Wild Berry and Noble Blue. WD is also introducing a new optional accessory – WD Grip Pack – a soft band, available in a variety of colors, which encircles the drive, offering consumers an easy way to personalize their My Passport drives.

“With more photos being taken than ever before, it’s critical to have a high capacity, reliable external storage solution that you can carry everywhere,” said Tony Tate, general manager and vice president of Content Storage Solutions at WD. “The latest generation My Passport drives deliver an easier automatic back-up experience, hardware-based encryption for security and higher capacities than ever before. Consumers can keep all their content in their pockets, while expressing their personal styles with the colors and WD Grip Pack.”

My Passport Ultra portable drives come in 3 TB, 2 TB, 1 TB and 500 GB capacities and feature 256-bit AES hardware encryption3 – delivering a high level of security with no impact to write-speed or CPU activity. If your My Passport Ultra falls into the wrong hands, the 256-bit AES hardware encryption protects users’ files, folders, photos, videos and music with a password known only to them. USB 3.0 compatibility provides fast data transfer rates of up to 5 gigabits per second, while being backwardly compatible with USB 2.0. My Passport for Mac portable drives are available in capacities of 3 TB, 2 TB, 1 TB and also feature 256-bit AES hardware encryption with USB 3.0 connectivity.

Sold separately, the WD Grip Pack accessory for My Passport Ultra is available in five colors (smoke, slate, grape, sky and fuchsia) and, when wrapped around one of the four colors of My Passport Ultra drives, enables consumers to create a total of twenty possible color combinations. The WD Grip Pack comes with a color-matched 18-inch flat USB 3.0 cable, creating a stylish complete solution.

My Passport Ultra’s built-in WD Backup software is a simple-to-use application with focus on reducing frustration when setting up a backup plan to preserve data. Since 31% of devices have had malware at some point, having your data safely backed up onto a secondary device like a My Passport drive is critical to preserving precious data.

Pricing and Availability

My Passport Ultra and My Passport for Mac portable drives are available today at select retailers, including Amazon (My Passport Ultra) and distributors. My Passport Ultra and My Passport for Mac have a Manufacturer’s Suggest Retail Price (MSRP) ranging from $79.99 up to $199.99 depending on capacity (3 TB capacity available next month). Both the My Passport Ultra and My Passport for Mac will offer a 3-year limited warranty. Terms and conditions of WD’s limited warranty may be found at support.wdc.com/warranty. WD Grip Pack accessories will be available in June and will have an MSRP of $12.99.

B&H carries the new WD My Passport Ultra drives.

From Western Digital:

My Passport Wireless External Hard Drive Expands Storage for all Devices With No Need for Wires or Internet

RVINE, Calif. – Sept. 3, 2014 – WD, a Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC) company and a world leader in connected storage solutions, today unveiled My Passport Wireless, an easy to use Wi-Fi enabled storage drive that allows consumers to save, access and share stored content wirelessly with any smartphone, tablet, computer or other device. For the frequent business traveler to the family on a road trip or creative professional working in the field, the My Passport Wireless drive is a simple way to connect all computing and mobile devices to content without any wires or Internet connection. Additionally, when users need to transfer large amounts of data, the My Passport Wireless drive provides the option of using a high speed USB 3.0 connection.

"As we celebrate its 10th anniversary, the success of WD's My Passport line of portable hard drives is unprecedented," explains Jim Welsh, executive vice president, WD Content Solutions Business and worldwide sales. "Our new My Passport Wireless drive continues the evolution, resolving a common problem for today's mobile consumer; too many devices with limited storage and no way to offload their content and free up space on-the-go. Now, consumers will have one drive to easily store content from all their devices and enjoy that content anywhere they go."

The My Passport Wireless drive broadcasts its own wireless network that allows up to eight devices to connect at the same time and access any content stored on the drive. Available in 500GB, 1TB or 2TB models, users now have the ability to store and access up to hundreds of hours of movies and music, as well photos and other digital files, from their smartphones and tablets that are typically limited by minimal storage capacity.

The portable wireless drive features Wireless N with MIMO technology for enhanced wireless performance so that users can access and transfer files quickly, as well as stream up to four HD videos simultaneously. The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to six hours of continuous streaming and up to 20 hours of standby power making the drive a perfect travel companion.

With the My Passport Wireless drive users have anywhere, anytime access to their favorite digital content by using WD's award winning WD My Cloud mobile app for iOS or Android mobile devices. The WD My Cloud mobile app easily connects to a My Passport Wireless drive for simple product setup, and once setup the mobile app provides intuitive navigation, sharing and playback of the drive's content. The WD My Cloud app also helps unify all of a users' content under a single app and user interface, by allowing access to content on the My Passport Wireless drive, the WD My Cloud family of personal cloud storage, and on major public cloud services such as Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive from just one app.

In additional to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, the portable wireless storage drive is an ideal companion for cameras with its integrated SD card slot. Whether shooting large commercial photography and video production or just taking photos and videos of the family while on vacation, the My Passport Wireless drive will never let you miss a moment because your memory cards are full. The built-in SD card slot lets users copy their content from the SD card to the My Passport Wireless drive to make room for more memorable moments. Additionally, with integrated FTP, the drive connects to compatible wireless cameras so that users can automatically transfer photos from their cameras to the drive as they are taking them.

Price and Availability
The My Passport Wireless drive is currently available for advance order online at the wdstore.com and will be available at select U.S. retailers later in September. MSRP is $129.99 USD for 500GB, $179.99 USD for 1 TB and $219.99 for 2 TB. The WD My Cloud mobile app currently is available for download for free from the App Store and Google Play.

B&H has the WD My Passport Wireless External Hard Drives available for preorder.

From Western Digital:

IRVINE, Calif. – Aug. 19, 2014 – To commemorate the 10th anniversary of its My Passport line of portable external hard drives, WD, a Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC) company, is introducing a sleek new design for the world’s most popular external hard drive lines. More than 60 million My Passport drives have been sold in the past 10 years, providing approximately 42,000 petabytes of content protection for consumers worldwide. The My Passport Ultra - Metal Edition drive and My Passport Ultra - Anniversary Edition drive represent a decade of refinement for WD’s enduring portable drive line. They feature elegant metal exteriors, up to 2 TB capacities in smaller enclosures, content protection, including backup, and cloud integration for anywhere access to personal content.

The My Passport Ultra – Metal Edition and Anniversary Edition drives incorporate a unique and innovative radial-spin-design aluminum enclosure, which provides attractive styling and extra protection against the everyday knocks experienced in the hands of today’s mobile consumer. In addition, the drive offers users hardware encryption and password protection to prevent unauthorized use of the drive in the event of loss or theft. For additional content protection and remote sharing, the My Passport Ultra - Metal Edition drive includes WD SmartWare Pro software with Dropbox integration, allowing users to back up content from their computer to the drive and from the drive to the cloud, and retrieve content from their Dropbox account to the My Passport drive. These features make the My Passport drive an ideal choice for backing up, protecting, storing and enjoying digital content on the go.

“Ten years is a milestone by any consumer technology standard, and having the opportunity to consistently reinvent a product line like My Passport to suit the changing needs of consumers and creative professionals is something we are especially proud of,” said Tony Tate, vice president and general manager of WD’s Content Solutions unit. “We thank all of our customers for their ongoing feedback over the years, which has helped make My Passport the most popular external hard drives ever.”

Pricing and Availability
My Passport Ultra - Metal Edition drive is available from the WD store at select retailers and distributors. My Passport Ultra - Anniversary Edition drive is anticipated to be available in limited quantities beginning early September 2014. My Passport Ultra - Metal Edition 1 TB drive has a Manufacturer’s Suggest Retail Price (MSRP) of $89.00 and 2 TB has an MSRP of $139.00. Both drives will offer a regional 3-year limited warranty.

B&H has the WD My Passport Ultra - Limited Anniversary Edition and Metal Edition drives available for preorder.