There's so much in store...

Storage solutions have been witnessing a revolution in recent times, thanks to advancements in technology

With ever-increasing applications and usage, storage needs have witnessed a quantum leap in recent times.

Here's a look at some storage solutions/devices.

USB flash disk drives

Disk drives are storage and retrieval devices a computer uses to read data from and write data to magnetic or optical discs.

A computer used to have hard disk drives and floppy drives till a few years ago but now there are CD burners, optical drives, DVD and CD drives, USB flash disk drives, external hard disk drives and so many more.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the solution for all PC users who want an instant, no-hassle way to connect new hardware such as digital joysticks, scanners, digital speakers, digital cameras or a PC telephone to their computer. USB makes adding peripheral devices extremely easy. With USB-compliant PCs and peripherals, one can just plug them in and turn them on. It's like adding instant new capabilities to the PC. One doesn't need to open the PC but just plug in the new device and the PC automatically detects the peripheral and configures the necessary software. Most PCs, including laptops and Pocket PCs on the market today, are fully USB-ready, which means they are ready for USB digital cameras, scanners, printers, computer telephony products, digital speakers and digital gaming devices.

There are many brands of USB flash drives available. Most of them have intriguing and convenient shapes that attract customers. Merlin was the first company to introduce the USB Pen Disk, which is a ballpoint pen and full-featured USB Flash Disk in one. Available in 128 and 256MB, this device sports a streamlined design, fits perfectly into the pocket and comes in two colours - silver and black.

The USB Wrist Watch is another product from Merlin. Owners just carry it on their wrists anywhere they go and use it as a USB flash disk when needed. The stylish watch is available in 128 and 256MB capacities. Merlin also offers flexible, unbreakable and waterproof USB flash disks with the patented rubber-flex technology, which makes transporting data easier and more secure. These are available in 128 to 512MB capabilities.

Imation FlashGO digital devices are bus-powered USB devices that are USB single and multi-slot memory card readers/writers designed to support all types of flash/memory card formats. The Imation FlashGO! PCA 4 in 1 draws power from the PCMCIA slot and is excellent for mobile users. Both the USB and PCMCIA versions provide easy plug and play convenience at home, work or on the go.

As technologies continue to advance, a variety of super small, high-performance digital devices are being brought to reality. These advances, resulting in reduced size and enhanced capabilities, are also spurring the development of new concepts in portable digital products such as wearable devices that were only designers' visions until quite recently. And Memory Stick Duo is an ideal external storage media for such new products. Sony laptops, mobile phones, MP3 players and other mobile products use Memory Stick.

Only one-third the volume of standard-size media, Memory Stick Duo media provides the same great features and functions, and realises compact high capacity for a variety of new applications. Placed in a dedicated adaptor, it can also be used with the increasing number of products with a standard-size media slot.

Sony also has the Micro Vault digital storage media, which is a USB flash disk drive too.

CD-R and CD-RW

There is always the need to store data at home, at work, or even for the entire company. Imation is the leading storage solutions provider for all these needs and has what are needed to tackle the challenges of the information age.

The ultimate in optical storage and designed for professionals and consumers who demand nothing but the best, is the Imation Professional Grade CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) which is high-durability, write-once media designed to provide high-quality data storage and superior audio recording.

Imation Professional Grade CD-Rs featuring a scratch-resistant surface and an enhanced dye layer with built-in UV degradation for maximum data reliability and longevity, are ideal for many applications, including audio-CD recording, distribution of large files, MP3 music storage, multimedia presentations, photo storage, archival file storage, record keeping, software backup, and writing and recording music. Imation CD-R discs store data swiftly and permanently with 1x to 48x write speeds. They are the optimal media due to distribution capabilities, huge install base and archive possibilities. Providing great performance that ensures low failure rates, these CD-Rs help users to store images and photos, archive data or create custom music mixes with them.

Sony's complete range of recordable and rewritable optical media promises the best in storage solutions. Equipped with Sony Optical Disc Technology, users are ensured total data reliability and recording performance. Sony CD-R 50CDQ80-S1 is a CDR Branded- 50-pc Spindle type with 1x to 48X speeds. It is a write-once type of recordable optical disc. Efficient low cost, in-house production of custom-made CDs and sample discs is possible with a single CD-R recording unit - thereby extending the scope of applications to include CD-I- DVI- CD Graphics- and Photo CD fields.

Database backup and archiving, Internet downloads, audio files, and transporting large files can be done with CD-RW (Compact Disc- Recordable and Re-writeable). Sony has introduced a new CD-RW 650SHS disc compatible with greatly increased recording speeds ranging from 4X to 10X. These Sony CD-RWs have 650MB and are compatible with 4X to 10X recording speeds of newly developed high-speed drives.

Featuring increased recording speeds and noise-free playback Imation CD-RW media is perfect for a wide variety of storage applications. With speeds ranging from 1x to 10x, this highly reliable media can record and rewrite up to 1,000 times and can be read indefinitely. Data is safe and stays accessible with Imation CD-RW media.

DVD

Imation DVD+R media is certified for up to 4x DVD recording speed. With Imation DVD+R Discs, one can store literally thousands of digital photographs. Or, store up to two hours of digital video in SP Mode or four hours in EP Mode on this write-once media. These discs are ideal for anyone requiring data-intensive, high-performance data storage.

Imation DVD+RW discs offer the complete solution for recording and storage needs. Users can store up to 4.7GB worth data and video content for PC and entertainment applications.

This equals up to two hours of high quality MPEG2 DVD video or a combination of both digital video and digital audio files, all on the same disc.

DVD-RAM is a versatile and reliable DVD media. All data stored on Imation DVD-RAM media can be accessed in the same manner as a hard drive, with drag and drop capabilities. DVD-RAM also features reduced noise and disc tilt, and enhanced durability. People can rewrite and read them thousands of times. 4.7GB single-sided removable discs (Type II) and 9.4GB two-sided removable discs (Type 4) are available.

Sony DVD+RW DPW47-S1 offers 4.7GB/120mins version 1.0, which helps users create, edit and archive home movies and digital photos while storing and accessing data from one disc. DVD-RW discs capture all digital data brilliantly and are large enough to hold oversized digital movie files. They can hold 4.7GB of information, which means it is possible to record 120 minutes of MPEG2 video footage with outstanding pict