Storage

Ohio State University researchers have demonstrated the ability to read and write data to shiitake mushrooms using an Arduino UNO microcontroller board and a simple test circuit. Roadblocks to commercialization include the storage unit size and hungry moms.

The Minisforum N5 Pro is the world's first AI NAS and received the Innovation Award at IFA 2025. With the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370, DDR5 RAM, PCIe SSDs, and many expansion options, including a PCIe x16 slot, the system combines mini PC power and NAS functionality to create a powerful, efficient AI platform.

TerraMaster recently expanded its NAS lineup with two new models. Powered by Intel processors, these devices come equipped with hard drive bays, multiple M.2 SSD slots, and high-speed network interfaces.

If Naoki Hamaguchi is correct, Switch 2 cartridges will become an even rarer sight. The director of several Final Fantasy games believes that Switch 2 specs bottleneck read speeds. In a new interview, he explains that only the console’s faster internal storage can prevent performance issues.

A new SSD dock is designed to be easy to use on mobile devices such as smartphones, and not only supports storage expansion but, as a 3-in-1 system, also supports image output. Cooling is also on board.

Investigators examining the Titan submersible wreck found a deep-sea camera containing a $62 SanDisk SD card that remained intact. The card yielded 12 photos and 9 videos, a rare example of consumer storage surviving an extreme ocean disaster.

Ugreen has introduced a new 2-bay NAS. The brand probably targets private users with this new product, although it can store large amounts of data. The asking price is also comparatively low.

Samsung's current PCIe 5.0 flagship SSD has never been cheaper on Amazon as the world's largest online retailer currently grants discounts of up to 36% on various variants of the 9100 Pro, including the sought-after 4TB and 8TB versions.

The Corsair EX300U has been launched as a new portable SSD with MagSafe compatibility. This magnetic external SSD is available in 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB options, with the starting price being $99.99.

Ugreen recently introduced a new power solution for its network-attached storage (NAS) devices. This uninterruptible power supply (UPS) helps prevent data loss or corruption and ensure NAS access even during blackouts – so long as the rest of the infrastructure also remains powered.

Action camera and drone users will find it difficult to break the stainless steel Lexar 1TB Armor Gold and Armor Silver Pro SDXC cards, which offer robust damage resistance with fast speeds.

European buyers are getting a peek at the internals of the revised PS5 Slim. YouTuber Austin Evans’ teardown shows how the console has a slightly different look with a lighter construction. Sony also reshuffled the motherboard layout, but there are no performance gains to justify less PS5 storage.

Despite the steep ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally prices, they aren’t bundled with many extras. Microsoft has suggested official ROG Xbox Ally accessories available for pre-order or already on sale. Options include a microSD card, PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, and a carrying case with Xbox and Asus logos.

Sharge has introduced a new portable SSD project on Kickstarter that combines storage with extra connectivity. The device brings a transparent design and an unusual approach to cooling, with the company claiming it can handle demanding workloads while doubling as a multi-port hub.

The memory semiconductor industry doldrums period is seemingly over as companies like SanDisk, Micron, or Samsung are now all intent to raise their prices. The AI-powered boom of chips and data center storage demand may be the culprit.

TerraMaster touts the F4-425 as ideal for those who want a practically plug-and-play new NAS with Intel x86 architecture. It is rated to support up to 36% more storage than its immediate predecessor, and features a custom TRAID array that might deploy it up to 30% more efficiently than RAID5. The F4-425 is also rated to be fully compatible with apps such as Jellyfin, Plex and Google Drive, and to support two-way "millisecond-level" syncing with personal devices via TerraSync.

The rapid advancement and implementation of AI across many channels has brought a high demand for high-capacity storage. This has led to a price increase for HDDs from WD, NAND flash from SanDisk, and price adjustments from Micron.

Cartridges have limitations that make them incompatible with some Nintendo Switch 2 games. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is too large to fit on a standard Game Card. Instead, it uses an internet-dependent Switch 2 Game-Key Card to the disappointment of physical media supporters.

MSI has introduced the Datamag 40Gbps, the latest version of its magnetic portable SSD, now featuring a faster USB4 interface. The new pocket-sized drive is said to support up to 4,000 MB/s read speeds and attaches magnetically to phones, tablets, and laptops, giving creators an easy way to capture and transfer content on the go.

The Biwin Mini SSD was first showcased during the GPD Win 5 gaming handheld debut, and now, the storage solution with a size similar to the microSD card has been released in China. It starts at CNY 399, around $56, making it pretty affordable.

Cheap pen drive and memory card scams are something to always be wary of, even if the product in question has plenty of 5-star reviews. As this MySKU forum user found out, some such drives don't even deliver a single percent of claimed capacity - and can stop working fairly quickly.

Apple's mobile division has reportedly expanded the number of flash module suppliers it retains to four. Accordingly, the supposedly upcoming ultra-slim new iPhone has a chance of debuting with internal storage provided by either Kioxia or SanDisk, although that might vary from unit to unit. Those household NAND names might have a better chance of contributing internals to the 17 Air than some others.

TeamGroup's latest external SSD not only boasts a compact metal casing and a speed of 1,000 MB/s, but it is also purportedly the world's first SSD that can be tracked worldwide like an Apple AirTag.

Sharge asserts that the next addition to its Disk series is much more than a portable SSD this time. It still fits in a pocket and fits an up to 4TB drive, yet also boasts the extra ports that might be left out of your latest laptop, tablet or handheld console. The Disk Pro also packs inbuilt cooling in its new transparent casing.

SK Hynix has installed ASML’s High-NA EUV system at its M16 fab in South Korea, the first such tool assembled for mass production. The breakthrough enables smaller features, higher density DRAM, and strengthens the company’s edge over Samsung and Micron in next-gen memory.

Some users recently reported that the Windows 11 KB5063878 update is causing SSD failures, and after noticing the reports, Phison and Microsoft carried out investigations. Both companies were unable to recreate the issue.

The XYC X108 NAS PC is an affordably priced network-attached storage solution which boasts four, six, or even eight drive bays which can pack up to 144 TB of storage. Two 2.5G and a single 10G Ethernet port are also present, along with a bunch of other useful ports.

SanDisk’s new WD Blue SN5100 NVMe delivers up to 34 percent faster write speeds and 29 percent faster reads over its predecessor, thanks to PCIe 4.0 and BiCS8 NAND.

SK hynix has entered mass production of its 321-layer, 2-terabit QLC NAND, the first QLC to break 300 layers. A six-plane architecture and 3,200 MT/s I/O double transfer speeds apparently lift writes by up to 56 percent and reads by 18 percent, while cutting write power by more than 23 percent.

The Nextorage NX-P4MG is a new portable SSD by the company, and it has MagSafe compatibility. With the USB4 support, it's said to offer up to 3,600 MB/s of sequential writing and 4,000 MB/s of sequential reading speeds.

imec and Ghent University have demonstrated 120 alternating silicon and silicon-germanium layers on 300mm wafers, a key step toward horizontally stacked 3D DRAM.

Samsung is adding an 8 TB version to its 9100 Pro NVMe series, launching September 2, 2025. Matching the 4 TB model’s peak speeds but doubling capacity, it becomes one of the few 8 TB PCIe 5.0 M.2 drives on the market, with pricing estimated to be just above $1,000.

As reported by users, the latest Windows 11 update is causing SSD failures when heavy file transfers are initiated. Microsoft hasn't acknowledged the issue yet, but Phison has responded to it.

The Windows 11 update KB5063878 is apparently causing SSD failures on PCs while attempting heavy file transfers. Japanese outlet NichePCGamer reports that SSDs from several brands are affected, but Microsoft has yet to verify the issue.

How about this: A new "Mini SSD" from Chinese manufacturer Biwin promises to revolutionize removable storage by delivering NVMe-like speeds in a package barely larger than a microSD card. The tiny, hot-swappable drives use a SIM-tray mechanism and are already debuting in cutting-edge gaming handhelds.

Lenovo has released a pair of microSD cards for its recent Legion and Xiaoxin tablets. Available in four capacities up to 1 TB, the Legion high-energy gaming microSD card and Xiaoxin TF Jump Card are relatively affordable and offer fast transfer speeds.

The QNAP DA Drive Analyzer software has improved AI-powered drive failure prediction, outperforming traditional S.M.A.R.T. diagnostics. Trained on real-world data across multiple drive models, it helps NAS users protect critical data from data loss.

Sandisk has unveiled the UltraQLC 256TB NVMe U.2 SSD, engineered for massive data storage at datacenters and AI training clusters. Built using the 8th gen BiCS QLC NAND architecture, it delivers faster performance with lower power consumption.

I-O Data has launched the SSPJ-UTC, an ultra-compact USB-C flash drive designed to remain connected to smartphones, tablets, and laptops with minimal risk of breaking off. The drive is available in capacities up to 512 GB and offers fast transfer speeds.

Viofo asserts that its latest dash cam is ideal for ride-share drivers as well as those who are simply worried about the security of their car in general, as it can surveil the inside of a car as well as its front and rear views. The three-channel (3CH) system integrates a leading low-light Sony sensor and has an ultrawide-angle fisheye lens for its cabin camera. It boasts a Vehicle Battery Protection setting for parking, and supports external SSDs to store footage.

A reprieve could be on the way for buyers who despise Switch 2 Game-Key Cards. The company that manufactures cartridges for Nintendo is embracing a new type of flash memory. As a result, publishers would have cheaper options than the 64 GB cartridges currently available.

Lexar asserts that its latest SSD is so perfect for the PlayStation 5 that it even looks like the console it is supposed to be a part of. The Play 2280 SE is rated to load up to 100 AAA-rated games at "seamless" PCIe 4.0 speeds. It integrates a heat-sink and starts for under $230 via a popular vendor in the US.

Micron’s new G9-NAND SSD portfolio combines the ultra-high bandwidth 9650 PCIe Gen 6 NVMe flagship, the capacity-focused 6600 ION series with up to 122.88 TB on PCIe 5.0, and the latency-optimized 7600 PCIe Gen 5 drive.

Kioxia’s new LC9 Series NVMe SSD doubles its top capacity from 122.88 TB to 245.76 TB, setting a new industry standard for both 2.5‑inch and EDSFF E3.L form factors.

Ugreen is launching a new network storage device. The NASync DH4300 Plus, supports Docker and hard drives with a total storage capacity of up to 120TB. USB Type-C, HDMI and speedy Ethernet ports are available as well.

The new P250Q-M80 M.2 drives from TeamGroup will let you wipe your data with the press of a button. The drives come in 256 GB up to 2 TB capacities but there is no information on when they will go on sale just yet.

Cerabyte plans 100 PB glass-ceramic archival racks with 2 GB/s throughput and sub-10-second access by 2030. A 2025 pilot will prove 1 PB racks at 100 MB/s, promising century-long media life at $1/TB while slashing carbon footprint.