SanDisk, the global inventor and largest supplier of flash storage cards, has released the latest version of its flagship USB flash drive, the Cruzer Contour.

The Cruzer Contour boasts a massive 32GB of capacity. The company also launched its 32 GB Ultra ll SD camera card.

The 32 GB Cruzer Contour features a sleek and stylish black glossy design. To enhance its functionality it also includes a unique sliding USB connector which retracts into the body of the device, dispensing with fiddly caps but offering total protection for the sensitive connector via the sliding cover mechanism.

Every Cruzer Contour comes with lifetime limited warranty. It is also available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB which each offer a high performance USB drive with minimum read speed of 25MB per second.

Other features of the 32GB Cruzer Contour include AES hardware encryption and password protection, enhanced Windows ReadyBoost, increased system performance on Windows Vista and U3 Smart compatibility.

In addition Carry and launch your personal applications and settings on any PC compatibility with Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS X v10.1.2+ and certified Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS X.

The SanDisk Ultra ll SD camera card was also released, which features superfast and animpressive 15MB per second read and 9MB per second write performance.

The high performance SanDisk Ultra ll SD camera card eliminates delay when transferring data from camera to PC and boasts solid reliability supported by a lifetime limited warranty.

'This is a higher capacity card for capturing more photos and longer videos. It’s the most popular, most compatible memory format for digital cameras,' stated Tareq Husseini, SanDisk’s Middle East and Africa sales director.

'In the past few years, the adoption of Secure Digital cards in DSLR cameras has been limited by speed, capacity and cost constraints. But when evaluating the declining cost trends for flash, and consumers’ increasing demand for storage there is an obvious need for the Ultra ll SD camera card,' he explained.

Source: Trade Arabia News

Nearly 50 per cent of senior executives of top IT firms expect an increase in revenue in 2009 despite the global financial crisis, according to a recent survey held at an IT conference.

At the fifth Annual IT Confidence survey conducted by Eurocom Worldwide, the global public relations network, 46 per cent senior executives in international technology companies expected an increase in revenues in 2009.

Conducted in association with its regional partner Orient Planet PR and Marketing Communications, the survey also revealed that the number forecasting increased revenues has fallen from 88 per cent last year.

Of the 335 global technology senior executives surveyed, 31 per cent expect revenues to be about the same, while 22 per cent predict a decline in sales in 2009. The study, which included the UAE, was carried out in January and February.

One in four of senior technology executives expect to reduce headcount compared to just six per cent last year. However, 28 per cent are looking to increase jobs, down from 68 per cent last year. Almost half, or 46 per cent, expect no change in headcount.

“The findings suggest that despite the sharp drop in confidence the tech sector has so far not suffered as badly as others,” said Nidal Abou Zaki, managing director, Orient Planet PR and Marketing Communications.

“An interesting finding is that 30 per cent, or almost a third of those surveyed, feel that the current recession will have less impact on their company than the downturn following the collapse of the dotcom bubble in 2000-2001,” he added.

Nevertheless, 34 per cent of senior executives see the current international recession as more serious while 13 per cent see it as having about the same impact as the dotcom collapse.

Almost half, or 48 per cent, of respondents are less confident about prospects for the technology sector in general in 2009. This suggests a significant decline in confidence from last year when just 4 per cent were less confident. However, 13 per cent are more optimistic about the next 12 months, compared to 53 per cent last year. 39 per cent have the same level of confidence.

“Clearly technology is not immune to what is happening in the global economy but IT has an important function to play in helping companies cut costs and boost productivity,” added Mads Christensen, Network Director, Eurocom Worldwide.

“Tech companies are working to communicate this message about their products and services.”

Technology companies are responding to the slowing global economy by developing or diversifying into new products or services, which is cited by 68 per cent of respondents.

Just over half, or 51 per cent, are reviewing or developing new messages about products or services. Almost a third or 32 per cent are targeting new geographic markets.

Around 45 per cent of those surveyed say that it is easier to recruit IT people now compared to 12 months ago. However, 44 per cent say it is about the same and 11 per cent said it is more difficult to hire IT people.

The hardest personnel to recruit are good software engineers cited by 57 per cent of respondents followed by international sales executives at 39.5 per cent and good domestic sales people at 33 per cent.

Source: Trade Arabia News

SanDisk, the world leader in flash memory, opened the region’s first new look memory centre at E Max, Oasis Center, Dubai. E Max is the largest multi-branded consumer electronics store in Dubai.

The memory centre concept features SanDisk’s latest flash memory cards and USB flash drives.

Demand for flash memory – which is used to store data and programming in mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 music players – has surged in recent years. Recent reports expect flash memory sales to climb from $4.5 billion to $10 billion this year, fueled by higher demand and escalating prices.

Flash memory serves as a hard drive for consumer devices. Music, phone lists, applications, operating systems and other data are generally stored on flash chips. Unlike with computer memory, the data is not erased when the device is turned off.

“Consumer electronics are becoming increasingly advanced, and the strategy behind the SanDisk memory center is to create a comfortable environment where consumers can educate themselves about the latest technology,” said Tareq Husseini, SanDisk’s Middle East and Africa sales director.

“It’s a terrific, hands-on way for consumers to experience SanDisk’s products and learn more about their great features,” added Dirk Raemdonck, operations manager of E Max.

Dubai-based Landmark Group, which owns Oasis center, has ventured into electronics retailing under the E Max brand.

The company, which currently has eleven E Max stores across the GCC, plans to invest over Dh500 million in opening 33 electronic retail outlets covering 1.2 million sq ft area across GCC.

Source: Trade Arabia News