12GB Hard Drives for Mobile Phones

Seagate has launched a 12GB hard drive that can be fitted inside mobile phones. The new hard drive offers a footprint that is 23% smaller, 50% more storage capacity, and 30% less power consumption than Seagate's current 1-inch hard drive. The ST1.3 Series hard drive is Seagate's second hard drive with perpendicular recording and the company's first drive utilizing perpendicular technology in the 1-inch category.

"Portable, on-demand video is driving the next wave of revenue opportunity for the mobile phone and entertainment communities. As consumer adoption drives the demand for the availability of video content anytime and anywhere, the need for tiny, high capacity hard drives becomes more apparent," said Brodie Keast, Seagate senior vice president and general manager of Consumer Electronics. "Mobile phone and handheld entertainment device makers need a storage partner that can ensure consistent and reliable supply and offer high-capacity storage options. Seagate delivers a complete business and technology partnership that enables growth in this highly competitive market segment."

The new ST1.3 Series hard drive delivers new features specifically targeted at mobile media consumers. The drive's new size, 40x30x5 mm, allows for more streamlined media players product designs and fits nicely into current clamshell and candy-bar style mobile handsets. As part of its G-Force Protection feature set enabling skip-free, reliable media storage and playback, Seagate also includes an optional drop sensor. This will increase operational shock resistance 33% up to 2000Gs, enabling the drive to survive a 1.5-meter drop onto hard concrete or ceramic surfaces when properly mounted in a handheld device.

People often bring their mobile phones, PDAs and PMPs with them when walking, running or during other physical activities. Seagate's ST1.3 Series differs from other hard drives because it is designed to compensate for the issues caused by such high-motion activities. The drive incorporates Seagate RunOn technology, which enables the drive to automatically keep the read heads on track while the device is in motion. Consequently, the RunOn technology can increase the reliability - and customer satisfaction - of a handheld consumer electronics device."

Posted to the site on 15th February 2006