Tag Archives: Storage

Business, Computers, Gaming

ADATA Set to Showcase Sustainable Innovations and Cutting-Edge Tech at Computex 2024

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ADATA, a leading memory and flash storage brand, will showcase a wide range of exciting new products under the theme “Innovate Today, Embrace Tomorrow” at Computex 2024. From June 4 to 7, visitors to the ADATA booth at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1, 4th Floor L0810 can explore innovations across three key areas: AI Computing, Sustainability and Innovation, and Immersive Reality.

ADATA is Forging the Future of AI

The “AI Computing” section features a collaboration with XPG brand ambassador Mera, a hyper-realistic AI virtual human. This display highlights ADATA’s commitment to AI technology with a range of solutions designed to accelerate performance and meet the demanding needs of AI applications. Visitors can see the powerful XPG DEFENDER WS L smart AI workstation with its superior processing capabilities and innovative noise-reduction chassis.

The XPG XENIA 15G Laptop (AI Development Edition) will also be on display. It boasts a staggering 24TB of SSD storage and 96GB of DRAM, ideal for data processing tasks. ADATA will also showcase overclocked DDR5 8000 R-DIMM memory for faster AI model performance and the latest generation LPCAMM2 memory products, designed to handle demanding AI workloads. For mobile users, ADATA offers the industry’s only complete range of Express Card storage solutions to boost the performance of AI mobile devices.

ADATA is leading the industry in DRAM SSD cooling solutions

ADATA will be showcasing its eco-friendly products and cutting-edge cooling solutions. ADATA offers a comprehensive range of DRAM and SSD cooling solutions, featuring heat dissipation coatings, liquid cooling options, and the use of recycled materials.

The XPG LANCER NEON RGB DDR5 memory module utilizes recycled materials and an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. High-performance SSDs like Project NeonStorm PCIe Gen5 SSD and LEGEND 970 PRO PCIe Gen5 SSD showcase innovative cooling systems for optimal performance without sacrificing eco-awareness. Project NeoCool PCIe Gen4 SSD takes a different approach, utilizing innovative graphene composite materials for efficient heat dissipation.

ADATA has introduced a series of external Type C SSDs to meet growing demand for seamless connection between devices

Beyond components, ADATA offers sustainable storage solutions. The EC600 enclosure utilizes recycled plastic and grants a new life cycle to used 2.5-inch disks. Additionally, the UC320 flash drive is crafted with a high percentage of recycled plastic. The award-winning XPG INVADER X mid-tower gaming chassis incorporates eco-friendly features and a sleek aesthetic. XPG is further expanding its commitment to sustainability with a wider range of cooling solutions, including air coolers, AIO liquid coolers, and ARGB PWM fans.

ADATAs gaming brand XPG comprehensively upgrades Gaming Lifestyles

The yet-to-be-announced XPG NIA Gaming Handheld PC will also be at COMPUTEX. ADATA is teasing superior ergonomics and a circular design for a comfortable gaming experience on the go. It also features innovative EYEWEAR eye-tracking technology for an even more immersive experience. Visitors can also demo the latest XPG gaming hardware, including the INVADER X family of gaming chassis, SORCERER and SORCERER MINI gaming keyboards, PRECOG STUDIO gaming headset, and FRONTLINE XL mouse pad.

ADATA isn’t forgetting about desktop gamers either. XPG will showcase a range of power supply units, including the top-of-the-line FUSION 1600W Titanium and their first SFX Platinum PSU. For data transfer and storage needs, ADATA offers a range of external Type-C SSDs, including the USB4 SE920, SE880, SD810, SC750, and SC720 models.

Business, News

Synology Empowers Malaysian Businesses with Cutting-edge NAS Solutions

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As businesses in Malaysia embrace hybrid work models, the demand for robust data storage solutions is increasing. Synology, a NAS (Network Attached Storage) provider, is stepping up to the plate by unveiling a slew of innovative features during its recent Synology Solutions Day in Malaysia.

Synology

Jason Sin, Sales Manager for Synology Malaysia, expressed the company’s dedication to fortifying data security and boosting productivity. Synology’s NAS servers that run on its secure DiskStation Manager (DSM) will play a pivotal role in addressing the evolving needs of businesses.

Tailored Solutions for Malaysia

Synology is introducing four key solutions customized for the Malaysian market: Data Management, Data Protection, Productivity Enhancement, and Surveillance. This strategic move acknowledges the shift from cloud-based storage and solutions to Synology NAS storage, aligning with diverse industry requirements.

Combatting Cyber Threats

Synology presents a comprehensive data protection solution in response to the escalating cyber threats facing Malaysian businesses. This encompasses heightened NAS login security through features like two-factor authentication, multi-factor authentication, passwordless authentication, and IP address restrictions. The company also offers robust backup solutions for devices, PCs, servers, and SaaS (software-as-a-service) accounts.

A notable addition is Immutable Snapshot, a boon for industries handling sensitive records. Paired with WriteOnce Shared folders, it facilitates swift, secure snapshots, preventing data compromise through Write Once Read Many (WORM) actions for up to 30 days. This feature ensures the integrity of critical files by restricting alterations.

Productivity Amplified with Generative AI

In light of the changing landscape, Synology has integrated Generative AI into Synology Office and MailPlus. This allows users to generate written content seamlessly. Tasks like email composition, article translation, and information searches become effortless through AI-powered chat box interactions.

Synology 2

The Mail Merge feature further streamlines communication by automating the insertion of recipients’ details, and optimizing email workflows.

Future Roadmap and Innovations

Synology’s commitment extends beyond the present, with plans to enhance scale-out capabilities and introduce enterprise-level data protection products. High-performance solutions catering to the burgeoning AI storage demands are also on the horizon.

Android, Mobile, News

Google Play Saves Your Storage by Archiving Your Least-Used Apps Automatically

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Google just updated their policy just last week to ensure that users have more control over their own data on apps and account on their selected apps. This week, they are updating the app itself to add a little bit more automation on the app. While it may sound a little counter-intuitive especially with the whole initiative in giving users more control over their own smartphone and data, it is a good update for users.

Smartphones in the modern world allow you to have thousands of apps in your smartphone. In fact, you would install thousands of apps on your smartphone. All these takes up precious storage on your smartphone and when you find a new app you could use, you run out of storage space before you know it. To install the new app, you must clear up your storage by deleting things on your smartphone, uninstall apps. Thing is, you might want to keep those apps still because they could come in handy. You want to ensure that your app data is still in your smartphone in case you want to start running the app again. There is a way, thanks to Google’s latest update to Google Play.

You can now opt-in for Google Play’s new ‘auto-archive’ function. According to Google’s developer blog update, the function will help the user free up space on their smartphones without the need to manually uninstall apps from their smartphone. Google Play cleverly partially remove an app that you have not used for a long time on your smartphone to give way for newer and more functional apps. It is not really completely uninstalled though; the app’s data is still stored within the smartphone and you can re-download the app when you want to use it again as long as the app is still available on Google Play Store.

Of course, the function is not only an opt-in for the user, but also for developers. Their apps would have to have the function built into their app. They would also have to be using App Bundle to publish their apps on Google Play Store. Once their app enables the auto-archive function, the apps will be less likely to turn up on uninstall suggestions when users want to clear their smartphone’s storage.

details page preinstall light 411
Source: Google Blog

For users to opt-in, a prompt will trigger when a user tries to install an app on their smartphone with full storage. The prompt will appear and ask if the user would like to enable auto-archive. Once the user enables auto-archive, Google Play will cleverly do its thing to archive apps you hardly use or have not been using for a long time to free up some storage space for the new app. No, you do not have to do much, just make sure your Google Play Store is up to date to get the function.

Computers, Gaming, News

Microsoft Announces that DirectStorage is now Available – No More Load Screens for Windows Gaming! There is a Catch.

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Next generation gaming on both the Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation are technically the best and most advanced gaming devices ever to hit the market. The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 offered a gaming experience like no other when they made the announcement of a certain storage technology that changed the gaming industry. It allowed the hardware to fully access all the speed offered by a 4th generation SSD storage.

In theory, the new technology allowed full access to the 5GB/s read speeds that the new SSDs are capable of. That much read speeds also means that loading times in games are cut short to nearly an instant. For games that was introduced on PS5 like “Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart”, it means no loading screens from one map to another. In that sense, developers are given more freedom to design games that has nearly no loading screens. That technology alone put the next-generation consoles ahead of even the most powerful gaming PCs you can find today.

Microsoft did make an announcement 18 months ago that that same DirectStorage technology on the Xbox Series X will make it to Windows games. That 18-month waiting time has laboured its final fruits. Microsoft has just announced that the DirectStorage API is here for Windows games.

direct storage normal asset flow 1
Source: Make Use Of

This announcement also means that games for Windows 10 and Windows 11 now get full access to the full 5GB/s the 4th Generation PCIe NVMe Solid State Drives. Technically, if SSDs gets faster in these few years, DirectStorage technology should also mean that whatever speeds SSDs can go to, games have access to as well. In that sense, it means loading times in PC games are not just greatly reduced, it could be eliminated.

There is a problem here. While Microsoft says that Windows 10 and 11 are ready for games with no loading screens, we will not be getting any games without loading times though. The reality is this, the marker is still full of games that are optimised for HDD speeds. That also means that even if your SSD can be read at 5GB/s, games today are not made to take advantage of those speeds yet.

The way things look, it looks like we also will not be getting any games that would be made to take advantage of those speeds anytime too soon too. HDDs are still a thing in the PC market. It is the cheapest way to set up a gaming PC today still, at the same time too, PCIe NVMe 4.0 SSDs are not the cheapest storage options available at this time. Still, if game developers are paying attention, they will make more games like the upcoming “Forspoken”. For now, while this announcement may not be much too significant currently, it could mean a future where games can feel seamless all the time.

Accessories, Business, Lifestyle, News

Google One Introduces 5TB Storage Plan

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If you have not known yet, Google Drive is not completely free anymore. If you check your gmail accounts and Google tells you that your storage is running out, that is because Google has brought down the capacity for free users to 15GB of storage. 15GB of storage is really not a lot and runs out pretty quickly.

Google Photos used to also offer unlimited photo storage, as long as you are not demanding for a full-resolution photo backup. Google ended that service in June and users would have to start paying for storage services under the Google One storage subscription package. Users can start with 100GB plan for MYR 8.49 a month onward. Users can opt for up to 30TB in cloud storage too for up US$ 150 (MYR 624*) onward.

The subscription plans are quite robust for users though. You can opt for 200GB, 2TB, 10TB, and 20TB storage options, if 100GB is too little, or 30TB too much for you. There was nothing between the jump between 2TB and 10TB options before this though, and that puts users in a bit of a pickle.

Google has an answer now with a 5TB Google One package. They also have priced it exactly in between the 2TB and 10TB options at US$ 25 (MYR 104*). There is a small caveat here though.

Screenshot 2021 09 14 010647
Source: Google

Eagle eyed viewers might find that most of the prices quoted are in US$. That is not on purpose though, Malaysia only gets the Google One storage at up to 2TB. You can subscribe to the 2TB Google One plan for MYR 42.99/month, or MYR 429.99 for an entire year’s worth of 2TB storage. There are no mentions on when Malaysia will get a higher tier Google One plan, if it ever happens at all.

As mentioned, the Google One storage plan is built to be Google’s answer to Google Photos backup and Google Drive. You still get to use Google Drive for free, but you are limited to 15GB in storage. The Google Drive app is also available for free on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Accessories, Computers, News

Western Digital Announces the Black SN850 SSD with 7GB/s and 5.3GB/s Read/Write speeds – The New Speed King

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Western Digital (WD) has stolen the limelight of Samsung with their latest announcement of their newest PCIe 4.0 Solid State Drive (SSD) offering a serious performance for gamers, along with an NVMe SSD add-in-card, plus a game dock. They call it the Black, and it it serious. It is seriously fast.

Source: Western Digital

The latest WD Black SN850 is the fastest SSD to boot currently, faster than Samsung’s recently announced Samsung SSD 980 Pro. At least in write speeds, it is. The WD Black SN850 offers up to 7000MB/s and 5300MB/s (300MB/s faster than the Samsung) with a brand new cache technology that should help reduce load times on PC or in games.

Furthermore, WD also mentions that the SN850 offers a smooth and responsive gaming experience with up to 1,000,000 random read IOPS. The new drive is powered by the WD/Kioxia BiSCS4, which is a 96-layer TLC 3D NAND memory. What does that mean? It just means that your games will never run the same. That, or you will never play your games the same way.

Source: Western Digital

WD will also sell the SN850 with an optional heatsink. The heatsink features a gamer-aesthetic sleek design, along with an RGB lighting system that is customizable with the WD Black Dashboard software. The RGB system only comes with the heatsink-equipped WD Black SN850 drives, so if you are a fan of RGB, you know your pick. With that kind of read/write speeds too, you might want to ensure that your SSD remains cool to work with.

PCIe 4.0 drive became the most demanded type of drive since the Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) demo and introduction, with good reason. While Sony hasn’t exactly published any sort of official compatibility list for the drives that can work best on the new console, WD has already marked the WD Black SN850 as PS5 compatible. We wonder if the WD Black SN850 with a heatsink would fit well on the PS5’s PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot.

  • Source: Western Digital
  • Source: Western Digital
  • Source: Western Digital
  • Source: Western Digital
  • Source: Western Digital
  • Source: Western Digital
  • Source: Western Digital

Maintaining that compelling price-performance ratio, the SN850 will likely prove a potent challenger for Samsung’s 980 Pro when WD’s drive goes on sale before the end of October (a heatsink-equipped version of the SN850 will follow in 2021, costing a bit more). The new drives come with an optional heatsink, RGB lighting, and comes in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. If you want one, the 500 GB variant without the heatsink will set you back US$ 149.99 (MYR 618*), the 1TB will set you back US$ 229.99 (MYR 949*), and the 2TB (which we suspect might not make it to Malaysia) will set you back US$ 449.99 (MYR 1,862*). The heatsink will add US$ 20 (MYR 83*) to your purchase.

* Based on Approximate Rate US$ 1 = MYR 4.14 as of 12/10/2020