Hitachi Global Storage Technologies on Tuesday introduced new Touro storage offerings that package local and online storage so data can be accessed locally or through the cloud via smartphones and tablets.
The new Touro Pro line includes portable storage devices for local backup, and free online storage of up to 3GB for cloud backup, Hitachi said in a statement. The company provides applications for data to be backed up simultaneously on both accounts, or to be transported between storage accounts.
Cloud storage is gaining importance as data such as music and movies is increasingly shared among mobile devices and stationary devices such as computers. Mobile devices are becoming as powerful as computers with the ability to play 1080p high-definition videos, but typically have limited storage capabilities.
The devices come with free 3GB of cloud backup, but users can upgrade to 250GB of cloud storage for $49 per year, which also includes iPad and iPhone applications to access data. Data files are stored in their natural format, and are easy to access and share with others via Web browsers through Web links, Hitachi GST said.
The Touro Mobile Pro portable drive comes with storage of 500GB and 750GB, priced at $110 and $130, respectively. The disk is speedy, operating at 7200 rpm, and is USB 3.0-capable. The larger Touro Desk Pro external drive, designed to sit on a desk, come with storage capabilities of between 1TB and 3TB of data, priced between $130 and $230.
The company also announced lower-end Touro Mobile storage devices, which come with between 320GB and 750GB of storage, and are priced between $80 and $120. These drives are not available with the cloud storage option.
Touro Mobile Pro 500GB
Touro Desk Pro 1TB
Touro Desk Pro 2TB
Touro Desk Pro 3TB