LaCie’s key-shaped USB Drives are now available for purchase. They are available in three flavors namely itsaKey, iamaKey, and PassKey are priced at $17.99, $14.99 and $9.99 respectively. The first two models iamaKey and itsKey are flash drives with 4GB or 8GB storage space and the PassKey is a USB card reader with built-in microSD slot.

The advantage of this kind of a setup is that it allows the multifunctional RAID enclosure to function as two separate drives letting the redundant drive protect against the drive failure.

This setup also allows to combine the two drives to achieve a configuration of high performance drive. These two configurations can be set via the hardware DIP switch located behind the case or by using the included software utility.

Features:

• Heavy-duty, heat-resistant aluminum case for internal & external purposes
  Match exactly a standard 3.5” bay
• Support two 2.5” SATA SSDs/HDDs (up to 1TBx2)
• Support 7 RAID modes (RAID0, RAID1, JBOD, Span, SAFE33, SAFE50 or GUI) using built-in hardware RAID
• LED for power, backup & access
• Simple RAID configuration using the hardware DIP switch
  One button backup for convenient drive sync

Specifications:

• Host Interface: SATA-I/II & USB 2.0/1.1
• Power: SATA 15pin Connector or USB port
• Dimension: 146 x 101.7 x 25.8 mm (LxWxH)
• Weight: 0.23kg

The drive can be hooked up to network via Ethernet port or four USB 2.0 Ports. These USB ports are useful for adding extra storage or taking secondary back-ups to external drives. The Ethernet Disk has a VGA, keyboard and mouse port. It comes pre-loaded with Windows XP.

The Drive can be connected to as many as 100 users with customizable access rights and different shares.

The drive is now available on preorder for a price of $1500. The price includes three licenses for Genie Backup Manager Pro for Windows and Intego Backup Manager Pro for Mac.

The drive is also available in 2TB and 4TB capacities for $750 and $1100 respectively.

Press Release:

LaCie Ethernet Disk: Up to 6TB in a Rack-Mounted Backup Appliance

1U 19″ rack-mounted backup solution for small and medium business
Most comprehensive data backup and protection software suite in its class
Can be used together with Apple® Time Machine™
Powered by trusted Windows® XP Embedded
Instantly store and share files with Mac®, PC, Linux or Unix users

LaCie today introduced a new version of its award-winning Ethernet Disk, a network-attached storage (NAS) device featuring a capacity increase of up to 6TB in a 1U 19″ rack form factor. Designed by Neil Poulton, it is the most compact all-in-one rack-mounted backup appliance operating in heterogeneous ecosystems.

Designed for small and medium business needs, the Ethernet Disk is powered by the field-proven Windows XP embedded operating system that provides all the necessary features for data backup, storage and file-sharing through its Gigabit Ethernet connection. Thanks to Active Directory compatibility, the LaCie Ethernet Disk supports a total of 100 users with customizable access rights to different shares, with up to 25 concurrent users.

“Microsoft is pleased to work with LaCie to provide the core embedded foundation for its new Ethernet Disk,” said John Doyle, Senior Product Manager for the Windows Embedded Business. “We are excited to provide customers with an innovative platform that allows them to develop a, smart, connected device that offers increased security and storage capabilities.”

Developed to provide data protection for Windows, MAC, Linux and Unix-based workstations, the LaCie Ethernet Disk ships with three licenses of both Genie Backup Manager ProTM for Windows and Intego Backup Manager ProTM for Mac, which can perform scheduled file backups for workstations. The LaCie Ethernet Disk’s ability to work together with Apple Time Machine allows Mac users to take advantage of the continuous data protection the software provides.

The included backup software protects against major disasters and natural catastrophes by offering a computer recovery function for selected workstations. Optional extra licenses are available through the LaCie online store.

The LaCie Ethernet Disk can integrate into any global disaster recovery plan, as its built-in engine can back up its volumes either onto a USB-connected DAS (direct-attached storage) to be taken off-site, or remotely onto another NAS.

“Backing up data – even mission-critical data – always boils down to making and storing copies of data, located on your primary storage device, onto a secondary device,” said Erwan Girard, LaCie Product Manager. “For this reason, the perfect backup companion for your information system should be kept simple and cost-effective. The LaCie Ethernet Disk offers computer backup and recovery, and backs itself up onto a NAS or DAS, all at the best price-per-terabyte ratio in the market. It is therefore an excellent complement to the complex and expensive technology used in front end storage servers.”

Availability
The LaCie Ethernet Disk is available immediately in capacities of 2TB, 4TB and 6TB through the LaCie Online Store or LaCie resellers at the suggested retail price starting at $749.99 (excluding VAT), which includes a three-year limited warranty. Silicon feet and bracket covers are included for standalone use, as well as power and Ethernet cables. The optional Rack Rail Kit is available for $59.99 while the Advance Replacement Option is available for European customers for €124. For more information visit www.lacie.com.

About Neil Poulton
Neil Poulton was born in Thurso, Scotland. A graduate in Industrial Design from Edinburgh University and Milan’s Domus Academy, Poulton first came into public view in 1989 as the creator of “the ageing pens,” pens made from a “living,” wearing plastic that changes color and form with use. Today, Neil Poulton designs and develops best-selling, award-winning products for a variety of international clients including LaCie & Artemide. Since 1991, Poulton has lived and worked in Paris, France. www.neilpoulton.com

About LaCie
Located in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, LaCie is the leading manufacturer of computer peripherals for Windows, Apple and Linux users. LaCie creates external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday people easily manage their digital lives. LaCie has differentiated its products through original designs and leading-edge technology. Established in France in 1989, LaCie is listed on Euronext under FR0000054314 (LAC). For more information, visit www.lacie.com

Green House today introduced an external 2.5-inch Pocket Solid State Drive. The drive can only be connected to a PC via USB 2.0 Port.

Available in 32GB and 64GB, made with MLC chips and provides 20MB/sec reading and 18MB/sec writing speeds. The drive is 10mm thick and weighs about 63grams.

No pricing and availability details has been given.

The SDHC Cards are available in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities, ideal for DSLR cameras for high-megapixel count sensors and HD video camcorders. There will be significant increase in data transfer rates when used with these devices. There is no word on the price yet.

No word on the price yet.

LaCie is definitely the leader when it comes to making these cute-looking storage devices. Here’s another product from LaCie, an USB 2.0 drive that looks like currency and looks absolutely cool. Apart from that, there’s nothing much about these drives. They come in 4GB(copper) and 8GB(silver) capacities and price starts at $20.

Toshiba unveiled a 16GB microSDHC card which will be put into mass production from January 2009 onwards.

The SD-C16G should be enough to store your entire favorite music collection with that much capacity. Toshiba is also introducing Class 6 SDHC models, SD-F16G and SD-F08G that are 16GB and 8GB cards respectively, very soon. No price details yet.

The two companies will be building individual chip layers with 32 gigabits (4GB) of data in the smaller manufacturing process and using regular 300mm wafers in large batches. Each layer is capable of allowing eight cores, which means a two-layer stack can carry 64GB without ever needing a separate chip.

This new chip is a much needed breakthrough in the portable electronics industry. These chips are smaller in size and yet has very high capacity. We will see increase in capacities of Solid State Drives when these are are finally made available for purchase.

Companies are believed to be waiting on chips like these to upgraded the storage of their products. At this point of time neither Intel nor Micron are saying anything on when the chips will be available for shipping, it could be an early 2009 release considering the fact that the chips are already into production.

Holiday Season is here and Seagate is all set for it with its latest FreeAgent Go external hard drives that comes in 10 colors. The drives are available in 250GB, 320GB and 500 GB capacities costing $120, $150 and $200 respectively.

Don’t forget to register the product (if you’re getting one) between November 28th and New Year’s Day, you might be lucky enough to receive a multimedia package including 50 free songs from eMusic and some other goodies. There is a docking station for the drives which is sold separately for 30 bucks.