Revolution ahead in data storage

The world`s smallest hard drives have already shrunk to the size of a postage stamp, but nanoscale computing may soon make that achievement look elephantine, says AFP.

Breathtaking change is on the horizon in personal and industrial data storage, the experts say, in a review of vanguard technology, published on Thursday in the British journal Nature Materials.

The newest developments in "spintronics", for example, are poised to go beyond the electrical charge of classic electronics to harness the quantum "spin" state of electrons, writes Albert Fert, co-winner last month of the Nobel Prize for Physics.

The storage industry proudly displayed its green credentials at this year`s Storage Expo event, reports VNU Net.

Sponsored by The Green Technology Initiative, the show took place at London Olympia`s National Hall, which saw 147 exhibitors showcasing products, giving demos and promoting the benefits of green IT to 4 390 visitors over the course of two days.

Chris James, marketing director for EMEA at vendor Overland Storage, said: "We had a great show. At any one time there were four to five meetings on our stand, from when the show opened to when it closed. We were also very pleased with the reaction we got to the Overland robot, which we are sure will be a memorable part of the show."

Seagate Technology has agreed to settle a lawsuit by offering customers who purchased a hard drive from the company during the last six years a cash refund or free backup and recovery software, says Computerworld.

Michael Lazar and Sarah Cho, who had purchased Seagate hard drives in the US, had filed an initial lawsuit in March 2005, alleging that the storage capacity of the hard drives was 7% less than the vendor promised.

A hearing has been scheduled for 7 February 2008, in San Francisco Superior Court, to approve the settlement of Cho vs Seagate Technology.