SanDisk Announces 16GB microSD and M2 Cards

SanDisk announced what it claims to be the world's largest capacity microSD and M2 cards today with 16GB of storage each. The card will be available from Verizon Wireless stores and Best Buy Mobile stores.

The 16GB microSDHC card retails for $19.99 and the 16GB M2 card retails for $129.99. Both cards will be available in November and Best Buy and Verizon are the only two stores that will carry the card in 2008.

“Handsets have become far more than just phones - they’ve become mobile jukeboxes, mobile offices, even mobile movie theaters,” said Avi Greengart, Research Director for Mobile Devices at Current Analysis. “Flash memory cards have increased in storage capacity, but even an 8GB card may be too small for anyone with GPS map data, a few movies, a game or two, a presentation file and other applications. There is an acute need for more mobile storage capacity. 16GB gives consumers the ability to carry their digital content with them and still have room to do more with their mobile phones.”

SanDisk is the same company that fended off a buyout offer from Samsung recently. It also, somewhat boldly, introduced a new music-media format.

Called slotMusic, the music distribution format pre-loads an album onto a microSD card. The point of slotMusic, for which all the major labels are onboard, is to allow users to buy and use music without being dependent on a PC or internet connection. They simply insert the card into their microSD-enabled device to hear it.

The music is DRM-free, of high quality (320 kbps), and can be used instantly with any MP3 player, cell phone, etc. with a microSD slot. The cards will be packaged with a tiny USB sleeve, so they'll be easy to use and compatible with PCs (Windows, Linux and Mac) as well.

HP launches Compaq Notebooks Announced in India

Hewlett-Packard (HP), a leading consumer Notebook PC brand in India, today announced the launch of its new series of Compaq notebooks targetted at young customers, a growing market segment for portables.

The nine series designed with preferences of the youth in mind and their needs for connectivity, entertainment and productivity, has factored in features like built in TV tuner card, blue ray drive and an infra red remote control.

The Compaq range of laptops is comes packed with multimedia features such as backlit keyboard, finger print reader and HDMI 1.3 along with a built in TV tuner card, Blue ray drive and an infra red remote control.

“This astounding product is a result of HP’s extensive research, focusing on user preferences amongst the youth. Keeping in mind the priorities of today’s young generation, HP has factored in features like the flush glass finish and the 3D drive guard. A unique blend of looks and durability, the new range is both attractive and sturdy.

Now, the generation next can not only enjoy the multimedia experience but flaunt their notebook with a oodles of style” commented Rajiev Grover, Director - Consumer Products, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard India.

Speaking on the growing size of laptops from around 80,000 in 2003 to an estimated 2.4 million in 2008, he said that the customer profile of those purchasing portables had changed.
“It is no longer just the middle-aged or mid or senior management personnel who were purchasing it. The customer profile had shifted to the young.”

The new range of HP Compaq notebooks carries a price tag between of Rs. 26,990 to Rs. 48,990.

Apple selling unlocked iPhone 3G in Hong Kong

Apple Inc. has begun selling unlocked iPhones in Hong Kong that can be used with any cell phone carrier.

The move appears to depart from the company's previous strategy of selling the popular device capable of working with 3G, or third-generation cellular networks, through specific service providers, usually with a required service contract. On its Hong Kong Web site, the Cupertino, California-based company is advertising unlocked iPhones, saying people can "buy directly from Apple" and choose their own carrier.

"iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier," the Web site says. With free shipping, the 8-gigabyte phone sells for HK$5,400 (US$695) and the 16-gigabyte version costs HK$6,200 (US$798).
Apple's Hong Kong office could not be reached for comment Saturday. Previously, Hong Kong buyers could only officially purchase the phone from Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd.

with a two-year contract, although the device was widely available on the gray market. In the U.S., Apple sells 8-gigabyte iPhones for US$199 and 16-gigabyte models for US$299, both with a required two-year service contract with AT&T.

Toshiba is launching new Dynabook NX Series notebook

Toshiba introduced a new Dynabook NX Series notebook. Notebook comes with a 12.1’’ LED back lighted LCD screen with WXGA resolution (1280x800), an Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 CPU (1.20GHz), 2GB of RAM (up to 3GB), 128GB of SSD or 160GB of SATA HDD, as well as DVD Super Multi Drive, Wifi b/g/n, three USB ports, e-Sata port, and SD card slot. As per Akihabara News HDD version will run you about €1200 (or around $1736), while the SSD model will clock in at a hefty €1930 ($2793). The laptop is due out in late October, so if this sounds like your cup of tea, you might start saving the pennies right now.