SanDisk has launched a USB-based storage device that promises to store your photos for up to 100 years. The company also introduced several additional cards and USB drives.

As part of a new suite of retail products introduced on Wednesday, SanDisk revealed the Memory Vault, a USB-based storage device that promises to preserve photos for up to 100 years. The device reportedly utilizes SanDisk’s Chronolock technology which incorporates “key elements of advanced solid-state storage to create a proprietary memory management solution.”

“SanDisk already offers great image-capture products, and we’ve built upon that expertise to create a new category of image-preservation products,” said Tim Sutton, senior product marketing manager, SanDisk. “The Memory Vault allows parents to preserve photos of their daughter’s first steps alongside videos from her wedding and then pass those images down for generations to come.”

According to SanDisk, the Memory Vault is now available in two capacities: 8 GB for $49.99 and 16 GB for $89.99. Requirements include a USB 2.0 port, and operating systems including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS X v10.4.11 or above.

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Google has scored another milestone with its browser as Chrome has topped 25% market share for the first time over the past weekend. According to StatCounter, Chrome reached 25.02 percent last Sunday.

Since Chrome’s market share is higher on weekends than during the week, it is unlikely that it will be averaging 25 percent for the entire month. However, the market share for first 12 days of September is 23.72 percent, up from 23.16 percent in August, which indicates that Chrome could surpass 24 percent this month. At least as far as StatCounter data suggests, Firefox is now within Chrome’s reach.

Firefox dropped below 27 percent share for the first 12 days this month and seems to be on track of losing another full point of market share in September. If the current trend holds up, Chrome may be passing Firefox by November. A major problem for Firefox appears to be the rapid release process as Mozilla has failed to transition users from one version to another version fast enough. Firefox 6, for example, accounts for only 54 percent of Firefox share after nearly a month of availability.

Google typically transitions 80 percent of its user base from one version to another within one week after the release of a new browser version.

Tuesday during the Intel Developers Forum, SanDisk revealed what it calls the “SATA DEVSLP ” initiative. With companies like Intel, Samsung and Microsoft already on-board, the company is pushing the industry to provide SSDs to OEMs with SATA performance at significantly lower power consumption than current offerings.

Implementation is already planned for future devices, chipsets and operating systems, SanDisk said.

“Intel is aligned and supportive of low power SATA to reduce the total power budget,” said Erik Reid, general manager, mobile client platforms, Intel. “We are pleased to join SanDisk in leading this initiative and are very excited about its implications for the future of mobile computing. Innovation in ultra portable designs is dependent on important efficiency gains. By supporting SATA DEVSLP standardization, we’ll be enabling innovative designs for countless future mobile devices.”

According to SanDisk, today’s “best-in-class” SSDs support low power consumption of 50mW. However, under the new SATA DEVSLP initiative, SATA storage will remain in a low power state the majority of the time. This will improve power consumption by “an order of magnitude” compared to previous solutions, SanDisk said.

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An attack on Linux Foundation Web sites may be tied to an earlier breach of Kernel.org. The Linux Foundation notified members with Linux.com and LinuxFoundation.org accounts of a security breach this week.

A breach, possibly related to an earlier rootkit attack on Kernel.org, may have compromised “usernames, passwords, email addresses and other information,” according to an email sent out by the organization. The message suggested that members should change authentication keys (passwords, SSH) used to access the Linux Foundation sites as well as any other Web Sites where they use the same keys.

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We’ve all been anxiously awaiting for Italian dreamboat builders Lamborghini to confirm production of a key new third model line, expanding the brand with either a sedan or SUV range. And while Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann just confirmed a new model at an event before the Frankfurt Motor Show press days began today, it isn’t either of those vehicles. Instead, it’s a production version of the Sesto Elemento concept from the 2010 Paris Motor Show, a lightweight, track-only, ultra-extreme carbon-fiber coupe with knife-edged styling.

According to the CEO, the Sesto Elemento will be a hyper-limited production model in the mold of the Reventón, with just 20 examples planned (though we wouldn’t be surprised to see a convertible version announced later on). No word yet on pricing just, but mere money probably shouldn’t stop potential buyers from banging on the doors in Sant’Agata Bolognese demanding a copy of their very own.

Apple just applied for a patent that would grant it the rights to a zero-power PSU that would use no power when a connected electronic device is turned off.

Apple’s idea is based on creating a much more complex AC/DC unit, which consists of the usual regulating circuitry as well as a control circuitry with an attached microprocessor and battery. The control circuitry can determine whether a electronic device is on or off simply by sending data through extra wiring and waiting for a response. If there is a response, the power regulating circuitry is enabled – or it is taken offline if there is no response.

The control circuitry is powered by a battery, which is charged during regular power flow. The patent was filed on April 29, 2011 and there is no indication when it could make it into an actual product. The financial benefit is unclear and the cost to build such a PSU may be higher than the actual power savings in the end. However, there is an environmental benefit, especially if all those millions of devices that Apple sells every quarter use less power.

SOURCE via USPTO

Nintendo proudly showed off its new Wii U console at E3 this year, but according to French site 01net, the Japanese gaming giant is actually struggling to get the console to work.

01net, believed to be quite reliable when it comes to Nintendo rumors, cites a source from within the company that says Nintendo rushed to complete the Wii U and, as a result, the hardware isn’t up to the streaming and wireless functionalities that are fundamental to the console. According to 01net, Nintendo has already burned through three prototypes and is on its way to a fourth. Not only that, but developers are dealing with cable tethers between console and controller and are interrupted almost daily with software updates.

Nintendo may have revealed the Wii U at E3 this past June, but the console isn’t expected until summer 2012. However, despite the fact that launch is almost a year away, 01net’s source says the hardware problems mean that the Wii U’s launch might have to be pushed to September. Nintendo has not yet commented on the report, nor has the company confirmed or denied reports of a delay for the Wii U.

SOURCE via 01net