Japan: SONY, Toshiba and Hitachi presented 3 prototype displays.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Japan: SONY, Toshiba and Hitachi presented 3 prototype displays.Video.

Japan Display (SONY, Toshiba and Hitachi) has presented three prototype displays, titled "Innovation Vehicles", which combining the latest mobile display technologies from Sony, Toshiba, and Hitachi.

"Japan Display was established in April, by the three companies. During the six months since then, technology developers from each company have worked together, to see what new technologies we could create. The result is this Innovation Vehicle."

The three versions that have been developed consist of: a 5-inch Full HD, 438ppi smartphone display; a 7-inch, 2560x1600 pixel WQXGA 431ppi tablet display; and a 12.2-inch, 1,920 x 720 car display. These displays feature key technologies for forthcoming applications, including WhiteMagic for power saving, Pixel Eyes integrated touch panels, and IPS-NEO, which is the newest IPS technology, featuring a wide viewing angle and high contrast.

Additionally, the smartphone display is ultra-thin, with the module being just 0.96 mm thick, with borders measuring just 1mm.

"WhiteMagic technology reduces backlight power consumption, by using white pixels as well as red, green, and blue. In a smartphone, the backlight accounts for about half of the power consumed. For the panel overall, power consumption is reduced by about 40%. If you keep the backlight on, power consumption is the same, but the picture is really bright. So, you get a panel that's really easy to view, even outdoors."

"With Pixel Eyes technology, the touch-panel is built in, rather than being attached from outside. The structure becomes simple, so it's easy to make the display thin. Such a thin display is very sensitive, so we've utilized that to enable writing with a pen. Currently, finger operation is the norm, but we'd like to provide a pen-drawing solution next. This is what we're presenting here."

"Finally, here we've enhanced the design, by making the panel curved, and rounding its edges, so it could fit into a car dashboard. We're using this design-oriented version to present a car display prototype as well."

"We don't yet have a timeline for commercial versions, but since we've reached this stage, we'd like to show these to customers, and get to work on sales. We hope to start mass-producing these displays next year."

Toshiba announced 3 new SSD enterprise models

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Toshiba announced 3 new SSD enterprise models.

They bill the three lines as "High Performance," "Value," and "Read-Intensive/Boot Server."

"As SSDs continue to broaden their reach into enterprise applications, from web servers to data centers, our customers are looking for a broad set of SSD solutions," said Joel Hagberg, vice president of marketing at Toshiba's Storage Products Business Unit. "Today's announcement further demonstrates how Toshiba is providing our partners with the ability to deliver the best storage solutions for every enterprise need."

All of the drives announced today will begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2012. If you're a business looking to upgrade your servers with SSDs, these new drives by Toshiba may be just the thing. Description chart below: (Pls click/tap on the two images to enlarge the view)

Samsung, Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba working on Windows RT devices.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Samsung, Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba working on Windows RT  devices.

Qualcomm Inc is providing chips for new devices from Dell Incand Samsung Electronics Co. that run Microsoft Corp.'s Windows RT operating system, people familiar with the matter said.

The newest version of Windows, to be released in October, will be the first to work with chips based on the ARM Holdings PLC architecture, not just those from traditional partners Intel Corp.  and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.  

Microsoft and system makers are turning to makers of ARM-based chips--used in most smartphones and tablets--to make inroads against Apple Inc.'s  iPad, which continues to dominate the market.Both Dell and Samsung are working on tablets that run on Qualcomm's application processors, people familiar with the matter said.

The Dell product is a notebook that converts to a tablet, one of the people said.

Other details weren't immediately known. Microsoft and its hardware partners have said products will be unveiled as the market approaches the Windows 8 and Windows RT launch.Qualcomm dominates the smartphone market, but it has had some setbacks with Windows RT.

PC giant Hewlett-Packard Co.  was working with Qualcomm on a Windows RT device, but it said in June that it had set aside immediate plans for the new technology. Instead, H-P said it would focus on Intel-powered tablets for business users. And Microsoft chose to use processors from Nvidia Corp.  when it created its self-branded tablet, dubbed Surface.

Some PC makers have privately complained about the lack of software and other aspects of adopting Windows RT, including the question of consumer demand for the product. Adding to the challenges for companies considering Windows RT is Microsoft's push to make its own hardware. The Surface announcement is believed to have surprised and angered computer makers, which now face the prospect of competing with their software partner.

Microsoft on Monday provided some new details about the development of devices that use Windows RT including discussing which PC makers are working on tablets. The company has limited the number of computer designers who could work with chip makers for an initial release of Windows RT tablets. Nvidia has been working with Asustek Computer Inc. and Lenovo Group Ltd. according to people familiar with the matter.

The final Windows RT chip supplier, Texas Instruments Inc. , has been working with Toshiba Corp. on Windows RT devices, with the two earlier this year demonstrating a tablet. Questions about the device emerged following Microsoft's blog post Monday that left Toshiba off the list of Windows RT tablet partners.

A Toshiba spokesman said the company plans to release a statement later Monday. TI, meanwhile, said its Windows RT development and collaboration with Microsoft are "still going strong."

Source: Marketwatch.

Q2 2012: WorldWide NAND Flash Memory market share, Samsung expands lead.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Q2 2012: WorldWide NAND Flash Memory market share, Samsung expands lead.

The worldwide NAND flash memory market posted revenues of US$4.22 billion in the second quarter of 2012, down 11.9% sequentially, according to DRAMeXchange. Samsung Electronics continued to lead the market with its share expanding to 42.4% in the second quarter.

Second-quarter NAND bit shipments increased 13% on quarter while ASPs fell by approximately 22%, DRAMeXchange said. Overall demand was weak causing an oversupply situation during the quarter.

"As the eurozone debt crisis lingers and global economic recovery is progressing slowly in the second quarter of 2012, the NAND flash market is seeing a harsher off-peak season than usual, with demand below manufacturers' expectations," DRAMeXchange noted in a statement.

Samsung's NAND revenues amounted to about US$1.8 billion in the second quarter of 2012, showing a 10.1% sequential increase. In comparison, the number two player Toshiba had US$953 million in NAND revenues, down 39.4% on quarter. Toshiba took a 22.6% share of the market in the second quarter, compared to 32.9% in the prior quarter.

Samsung in the second quarter moved to reduce its chip supply to the memory card and USB flash drive market, and raise that to fulfill more OEM orders for system products including smartphones, tablet PCs and SSDs. As a result, Samsung managed to grow its NAND revenues in the second quarter offsetting weakness in the memory card and USB flash drive market, DRAMeXchange observed.

Samsung reported an about 35% sequential rise in NAND bit shipments during the second quarter, with ASP slipping 18%, DRAMeXchange said. The firm saw its market share climb to more than 40% from 33.9% in the first quarter.

Second-ranked Toshiba suffered sequential decreases in both shipments and ASPs during the second quarter, which led to a significant drop in revenues, DRAMeXchange indicated. Toshiba's share of the global NAND flash market shrank from 32.9% in the first quarter to 22.6% in the second, DRAMeXchange said.

Micron Technology came in third place with a 15.4% share of the market in the second quarter, followed by SK Hynix with 11.9% and Intel with 7.8%, according to DRAMeXchange.

Press Release:

NAND Flash: Samsung Market 

Share Expands to 42.4%, 

As the eurozone debt crisis lingers and global economic 

recovery is progressing slowly in the second quarter of 

2012, the NAND flash market is seeing a harsher off-peak 

season than usual, 

with demand below manufacturers’ expectations.


Aside from stable demand from certain tablet PC and smartphone clients in
preparation for new models release, the majority of system product have
not shown strong demand; thus, suppliers have no choice but to adopt
promotional strategies, lowering prices to stimulate purchasing.


According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, with the
NAND flash market experiencing oversupply, although brand 

manufacturers’ bit shipments increased by 13% QoQ in the second quarter 

of 2012, average selling price (ASP) fell by approximately 22% QoQ. As a 

result, NAND flash branded manufacturers’ total 2Q12 revenue fell by 11.9% 

QoQ, arriving at US$4.221 billion.

Looking at the 2Q12 sales ranking for branded NAND Flash manufacturers,
Samsung remained in first place with US$1.7 88 billion, 42.4% market share;
Toshiba took second place with US$953 million, 22.6% of the market;
Micron came in third with US$648 million, 15.4% of the market. SK Hynix
was fourth at US$503 million, 11.9% of the market; and Intel placed fifth
with US$330 million, 7 .8% of the market. 


Samsung
In the second quarter Samsung strategically lowered the sales ratio of
memory card and UFD market products, which have been experiencing
weak demand, increasing OEM orders for smart phones, tablet PCs and SSD
products instead to increase revenue from system product clients.


Furthermore, benefitting from depreciation of the Korean won, 2Q12 bit
shipment volume increased by approximately 35% QoQ, while ASP fell by
around 18% QoQ. Thus, Samsung’s 2Q12 revenue climbed 10.1% QoQ to
US$1.7 88 billion, taking 42.4% market share. Although Samsung
anticipates the supply-demand status will improve in the third quarter due
to the arrival of new smart mobile devices and slower bit supply growth, the
maker will continue to devote its efforts to increasing sales of embedded
products such as eMMC, mSATA, and SSD.


Additionally, the Korean manufacturer plans to reallocate its Austin fab’s
NAND flash product line to the production of LSI products in order to slow
bit output growth, in preparation for the possibility that global economic
uncertainty will negatively affect the peak sales season in the second half of
the year.


Thus, Samsung’s bit output for the third quarter is projected to increase by
over 5% QoQ; the maker’s 27 nm and 21nm process product output ratio
reached 80% in the second quarter, and they will continue increasing the
production ratio of 21nm products in the third quarter.



Toshiba
Affected by sluggish demand due to the off-peak season and slow global
economic recovery in the second quarter, the orders from some system
product, memory card and UFD customers were lower-than-expected in
2Q12. The ASP and bit shipment of 

Toshiba both declined in 2Q12. Thus, Toshiba’s 2Q12 revenue declined 

about 39.4% QoQ in 2Q12, taking 22.6% market share with a revenue of 

US$953 million. 

The majority of Toshiba’s production has been upgraded to 

24nm and 19nm process technologies, and the maker will continue to 

increase the output ratio of 19nm process products in the third quarter to 

strengthen cost competitiveness.

The supplier will also strive to increase the sales portion of embedded
products like eMMC, mSATA, and SSD, to meet inventory stocking demand
for new smartphone, tablet, and ultrabook models hitting the market in the
second half of the year. 

Additionally, on July 24 Toshiba announced a temporary 30% capacity cut

at its owned Yokkaichi site, in hopes of easing the impact from delayed third
quarter demand from inventory restocking and global economic 

uncertainties as well as helping the industry achieve balanced supply and 

demand prior to the peak sales season in the fourth quarter. 

Micron
In its previous fiscal quarter, Micron’s ASP fell by 39% QoQ due to the offpeak
season effect, product mix adjustments, and promotional sales 

strategies. However, benefitting from system client OEM orders and an 

increased sales ratio for SSD products, Micron’s bit shipment volume 

jumped by approximately 68% QoQ, resulting in a revenue of US$648 

million for the last fiscal quarter, taking 15.4% market share.

As the supplier will continue increasing the production ratio from the new 

20nm process, the maker expects its bit output for the next quarter will 

increase by over 5% QoQ. Expecting smart phone, tablet PC, and ultrabook 

demand to increase significantly in the second half of the year, Micron will 

continue to increase the sales ratio of embedded products such as eMMC, 

mSATA, and SSD.

SK Hynix
In the second quarter SK Hynix increased system product client sales to
lower the negative impact from sluggish memory card and UFD market
demand. Furthermore, benefitting from depreciation of the won, 2Q12 bit
shipment volume increased by around 9% QoQ. However, as ASP dropped
19% QoQ, SK Hynix’s 2Q12 revenue fell by approximately 8.6% QoQ to
US$503 million, taking 11.9% market share.


As SK Hynix’s system products bit shipment ratio has already reached 85%
in the second quarter, the maker will continue to increase the sales ratio of
embedded products such as eMMC, mSATA, SSD etc. in the third quarter.


Furthermore, SK Hynix will change their capacity plans for its 300mm Fab
M12 depending on actual market demand in the second half of 2012; the
new capacity of 40K starts per month initially dedicated to NAND flash
production will be used to flexibly manufacture both NAND flash and DRAM
products, in an effort to slow NAND flash output growth in the face of a peak
season that may not see traditional figures due to global economic
sluggishness.


Thus, SK Hynix expects its 3Q12 bit output will grow by over 5% QoQ.
Looking ahead to the third quarter, the Korean maker anticipates the
market will see balanced supply and demand as market supply decreases
and new smart phone and SSD models hit the market. SK Hynix’s 26nm and
20nm production ratio is nearing 90%, and in the third quarter the maker
will continue increase 20nm output.


Intel
As a result of harsh competition on the SSD market, Intel’s ASP fell by around 20% QoQ, while bit shipment volume rose by approximately 15% QoQ. Thus, Intel’s 2Q12 revenue fell by 9.6% QoQ to US$330 million, conve rte d by We b2PDFC onve rt.com 

representing 7 .8% of the market. In the third quarter Intel will continue to 

increase both the sales ratio of SSD and mSATA products and the output 

ratio for the new 20nm process.

IBM selling point-of-sale (POS) terminal business to Toshiba for US$850 million.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

IBM selling point-of-sale (POS) terminal business to Toshiba for US$850 million.

Toshiba unit plans to buy Big Blue's point-of-sale (POS) terminal business, which includes cash registers and related devices, for 68 billion yen (US$850 million).

IBM's technology will strengthen Toshiba's cloud computing services which enables stores, shoppers, manufacturers and others to exchange information and offer services, according to its statement Tuesday.

"The opportunities in retail store solutions are expected to grow by increasing demand in POS systems. In addition, demand for multi-channel integration and enhancement of store back office management accelerates further expansion of sales," Mamoru Suzuki, president and CEO for Toshiba, said in the statement.

Toshiba also aims to close the deal late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter of 2012.

A new holding company will be established in Japan and Toshiba Tec will acquire an 80.1 percent stake in the holding company, while IBM will hold a 19.9 percent stake, which it will gradually divest.

Currently, IBM holds the top spot in the global POS terminal market, with a share of 22 percent, while Toshiba, which will make the purchase is ranked fourth worldwide with a 7 percent market share, Reuters reported on Monday, citing the Nikkei.

In a statement Wednesday, Krista Macomber, computing practice analyst at TBR, noted that the deal will position Toshiba as a leader in worldwide POS revenue as it can now look beyond Japan to 33 additional markets that IBM has a presence in.

This will create opportunities for new revenue streams to be established internationally for the Japanese IT vendor, and enable it to target new vertical markets and a broader base of customers, she explained. Toshiba can leverage IBM's knowledge base and position itself to reap the benefits of IBM's Smarter Commerce initiative, too.

Press Release:

Toshiba Tec to Acquire IBM’s Retail Store Point-of-Sale Solutions Business,

Agreement Allows Both to Tap Growing Smarter Commerce Opportunity.

· Creates world's leading retail Point-of-Sale systems and solutions

business.

· Multi-year Business Partner agreement between IBM and Toshiba Tec

would integrate retail store solutions for Smarter Commerce.

· Transaction of approximately US$850 million

· Deal expected to close late in second quarter or early in third quarter of

2012

ARMONK, NY & Tokyo, JAPAN – April 17 2012: IBM(NYSE:IBM), the leader in

Smarter Commerce, and Toshiba Tec(TSE:6588), Japan's leading maker of

point-of-sale systems and related technology for retailers, today announced a

definitive agreement under which Toshiba Tec will acquire IBM’s Retail Store

Solutions (RSS) business, which offers retail point-of-sale (POS) solutions

worldwide. Upon completion of the transaction, Toshiba Tec would become the

world's foremost retail point of sale systems company, offering hardware,

software and integrated in-store solutions, and will team with IBM to bring the

Smarter Commerce experience to retailers and their customers worldwide.

The purchase price is approximately US$850 million (JPY: 68 billion).

As part of the transaction, Toshiba Tec will enter into a multi-year agreement with

IBM in which Toshiba Tec will become a IBM Premier Business Partner for

Smarter Commerce. This agreement will help ensure that IBM’s portfolio of

enterprise-level Smarter Commerce solutions and services, which extend from

the corporate data center to the local retail store, and Toshiba Tec's customerfacing

retail store point-of-sale solutions are available to customers worldwide to

meet the growing demand for multi-channel commerce.

It is expected that upon completion of the deal, Toshiba Tec, a subsidiary of

Toshiba, will acquire IBM’s Retail Store Solutions overall business operation

functions globally, including development, sales and related in-store maintenance.

Toshiba Tec's retail store point-of-sale solutions operation will benefit from a

worldwide distribution and sales network, enhanced product and solution

selection for customers, and decades of innovation by both companies.

The transaction is expected to close late in the second quarter or early in the

third quarter of 2012 subject to the satisfaction of regulatory requirements and

customary closing conditions. Subsequent closings will occur subject to similar

conditions, local agreements and the information and consultation process in

applicable countries.

Retailers, including those with global store operations, will benefit from

accelerated development of new products and solutions for regional and

geographic needs. Toshiba Tec customers also will benefit from a “one-stop

retail store solution” providing comprehensive support --planning, maintenance

and services -- to help them accelerate new store deployments worldwide.

In 2011, IBM announced a major Smarter Commerce initiative that helps

businesses automate and infuse intelligence into their procurement, marketing,

sales and customer service functions to better serve today's empowered online

consumer in the era of mobile and social networks. In a time when brands can

be built or broken across the Web within minutes --- and customers expect the

same quality experience from all channels --- businesses need to adapt with

technology that quickly responds or even anticipates customer needs across any

sales channel at any time.

"Together, IBM and Toshiba Tec represent the broadest multi-channel offerings

worldwide," said Craig Hayman, general manager, Industry Solutions, IBM

Software Group. "The pace of retail expansion requires a strategy to serve this

dynamic marketplace. This acquisition by Toshiba Tec creates not only the

world’s leading point-of-sale company, but also a key business partner for IBM in

its strategically important Smarter Commerce initiative. Retailers can invest with

confidence in the proven abilities of these two leaders to deliver multi-channel

commerce to more demanding consumers who want the same experience

shopping online, in-store, mobile, social or by any other means."

“The opportunities in retail store solutions are expected to grow by increasing

demand in POS systems. In addition, demand for multi-channel integration and

enhancement of store back office management accelerates further expansion of

sales,” said Mamoru Suzuki, President and CEO, Toshiba Tec. “Toshiba Tec

will become the world’s foremost Point-of-Sale provider capable of providing

products and services at the same level of high quality. It also will allow Toshiba

Tec to expand its global Point-of-Sales business through a combination of the

competitive product lineup and worldwide network proven by Toshiba Tec’s and

Retail Store Solutions history of the business.”

The acquisition will enable Toshiba Tec to seek expanded opportunities to deliver

new value to customers, including mass merchandisers, specialty and

convenience stores and fast food restaurants. Toshiba Tec also expects to

generate new retail business opportunities based on synergies with its printing

solutions business combined with Retail Store Solutions sales network.

“Toshiba warmly welcomes this agreement,” said Norio Sasaki, President and

CEO, Toshiba. “Toshiba Tec enjoys a strong presence in retail store solutions in

Asia-Pacific, including Japan, and we are confident that this acquisition will

support expansion in North America, Europe and the emerging economies. I

also expect this significant step to support innovation and the creation of new

business opportunities for Toshiba Group.”

While the transaction is being completed, the companies will continue to operate

independently. After the transaction closes, IBM will continue to provide

maintenance services to RSS clients under a multi-year services agreement.

Retail Store Solutions customer service and product availability will continue as

usual as the RSS operations are integrated.

Additional Transaction Details

A new holding company will be established in Japan. This company will hold the equity

of a number of companies organized in countries around the world. Toshiba Tec will

acquire an 80.1 percent stake in this holding company and in order to promote a smooth

transfer, IBM will hold a 19.9 percent stake in the holding company. Eventually, the

holding company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba Tec. The new

companies, including the holding company, will continue to operate Retail Store

Solutions business worldwide as Toshiba Tec’s core retail point-of-sale solution affiliates.

Steven D. Ladwig, currently general manager, IBM Retail Store Solutions, will become

the chief executive officer (CEO) of the new US company with headquarters in Raleigh,

North Carolina.

A portion of the aggregate purchase price will be paid on the closing date and on the first

anniversary of the closing. The remaining portion will be paid on the third anniversary in

exchange for IBM’s 19.9 percent equity interest.

The IBM’s Retail Store Solutions revenue in 2011 was approximately $1.15 billion (US)

with approximately 1,000 employees worldwide plus maintenance specialists. Over time,

maintenance specialists may join the new companies subject to local business

conditions and completion of local information and consultation processes.

More information about IBM may be found at

http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smarter_commerce/overview/

More information about the transaction may be found at

http://www.ibm.com/products/retail/announcement/index.html

More information about Toshiba Tec may be found at

http://www.toshibatec.co.jp/en/

Toshiba launched three new tablets running Android Ice Cream Sandwich

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Toshiba launched three new tablets running the latest Ice Cream Sandwich version of the Android OS.

The Excite 13 (image above) has a high-resolution 13.3 inch screen - one of the largest on the market – with multitouch support, as well as 1GB of memory, GeForce graphics and a four-speaker sound system using technology from SRS Labs.

The Excite 10 has a 10.1 inch screen while the Excite 7.7 has a 7.7 inch AMOLED screen. Both tablets feature broadly the same specs as their larger sibling.

All of the tablets run NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processors which support faster applications and smoother HD video. A fifth battery-saving core is used for less demanding everyday apps, extending battery life to 13 hours in the case of the Excite 13.

The devices all feature a 5MP camera, a 2MP front-facing camera and a thin and lightweight aluminium-based design with a scratch-resistant screen.

The Excite 10 will be the first to become available when it’s launched in May, priced at US$449.99 for the 16GB version, US$529.99 for the 32GB model and US$649.99 for 64GB of storage.

The Excite 7.7 and 13 will both be launched in June. The Excite 7.7 will range from US$499.99 for the 16GB version to US$579.99 for 32GB, while the Excite 13 will be priced at US$649.99 for the 32GB version and US$749.99 for the 64GB model.

Toshiba exits Fujitsu handsets Joint Venture.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Toshiba exits Fujitsu handsets Joint Venture.

Toshiba today confirmed long-standing speculation that it is exiting its Japanese mobile handset joint-venture with Fujitsu, by transferring its 19.9 percent stake in the venture to Fujitsu.

Fujitsu has increased its stake from 80.1 percent to 100 percent as a result of the deal and is expected integrate the subsidiary with its existing mobile devices business. Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Formed in October 2010 as a consolidated subsidiary of the Fujitsu Group, Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications will now be renamed Fujitsu Mobile Communications and will become wholly-owned by its parent.

The JV has approximately 300 employees and a market cap of around JPY450 million (US$5.4 million).

Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile mainly builds 3G devices for Japan’s second-placed operator, KDDI, but had struggled to build market share in the crowded Japanese handsets market.

For Toshiba, the JV was seen as an attempt to shore up losses in its former own-branded handset operations by letting Fujitsu effectively oversee its mobile business.

Press Release: Toshiba buys part of Western Digital's HDD business.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Toshiba will acquire part of Western Digital's 3.5-inch HDD (hard-disk drive) production equipment and related intellectual property, in return for the Japanese IT vendor's 2.5-inch HDD manufacturing facility in Thailand.

"The purchase of part of Western Digital's 3.5-inch HDD manufacturing equipment, and with it the capability to produce 3.5-inch HDDs for desktop PCs, DVR and other consumer applications, will expand Toshiba's portfolio and enable the company to supply products covering all segments of the HDD market," the company said in its statement released Wednesday.

It added that in return, Western Digital will acquire Toshiba Storage Device (TSDT)--the company's wholly-owned HDD manufacturing subsidiary located in Thailand--including the principal assets of TSDT, its Thailand property, facilities, and employees.

According to Bloomberg, Toshiba spokesperson Toru Ohara said the company intended to double sales of memory devices including hard drives to 800 billion yen (US$9.8 billion) in the year, ending in March 2015, from about 400 billion yen this business year.

Toshiba expects the global market for HDD and other storage devices to see sustained demand growth. [The market would be] driven by the continued diversification of devices requiring storage, including PCs, tablets and smartphones, and the explosive increase in data storage and archiving that will accompany cloud computing," it added in its statement.

The Japanese vendor and Western Digital aim to complete the acquisition and transfer by March this year after obtaining approval from the relevant authorities.

Western Digital, based in California, is divesting the equipment to address regulatory concerns over its planned acquisition of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, the company said in its statement.

The deal also comes as the HDD manufacturing industry in Thailand recovers from major flooding in the country last year, which rattled the global supply chain.

Press Release:

Toshiba Signs Agreement with Western Digital on Acquisition of HDD Manufacturing Equipment and Transfer of HDD Manufacturing Facility

29 Feb, 2012

TOKYO—Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Western Digital Corporation (NYSE: WDC) on Toshiba's acquisition of certain of Western Digital's 3.5-inch HDD manufacturing equipment and related intellectual property, and the transfer to Western Digital of Toshiba Storage Device (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (TSDT), Toshiba's wholly-owned HDD manufacturing subsidiary located in Thailand.

Toshiba and Western Digital aim to complete the acquisition and transfer by March of this year after obtaining approval from the relevant authorities.

Under the agreement, Toshiba will acquire the following equipment and intellectual property from Western Digital.

1) Manufacturing equipment for 3.5-inch HDDs for use in desktop PCs and other consumer applications, plus related intellectual property; and

2) Manufacturing equipment for near-line ^[1] HDDs for server applications.

Toshiba also has agreed to transfer to Western Digital its entire shareholding in TSDT. 

Toshiba's acquisition of assets from Western Digital and the transfer of TSDT to Western Digital are subject to Western Digital's completion of its pending acquisition of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies and regulatory approvals from the relevant antitrust authorities.

The global market for HDD and other storage devices is expected to see sustained demand growth, driven by the continued diversification of devices requiring storage, including PCs, tablets and smartphones, and the explosive increase in data storage and archiving that will accompany cloud computing.

Toshiba acquired Fujitsu Limited's HDD business in 2009, expanding its product portfolio of small form factor HDDs for mobile applications with Fujitsu's enterprise HDDs. Since then, the company has developed a line-up of storage products for enterprise applications. More recently, in July 2011 Toshiba unified the Semiconductor Company and the Storage Products Company, covering NAND flash memories, SSDs and HDDs, and is now positioned to carry out coordinated sales promotions to a wide range of customers.

The purchase of part of Western Digital's 3.5-inch HDD manufacturing equipment and with it the capability to produce 3.5-inch HDDs for desktop PCs, DVR and other consumer applications, will expand Toshiba's portfolio and enable the company to supply products covering all segments of the HDD market. It will also expand Toshiba's supply capacity in the market for near-line HDDs, which is expected to expand with the continuing growth of the server market, further reinforcing a strategic segment of the company's HDD business.

Toshiba will transfer the shares of TSDT to Western Digital and consolidate HDD production at its two HDD manufacturing facilities in the Philippines and a contract manufacturer in China. A key goal is to further enhance cost competitiveness by boosting manufacturing efficiency.

Following the reinforcement of its HDD businesses through this re-organization, Toshiba aims to establish itself as the leading provider of integrated storage solutions–the company that has all three key storage solutions: NAND flash, SSD and HDD.

Outline of Toshiba Storage Device (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Address:	Pathun Thani, Thailand
President:	Minoru Iriko
Established:	October, 2009
Paid-in capital:	1 billion baht
Main business:	Manufacture of 2.5-inch HDD
Employees:	About 4,200

[1]

Note: Near-line storage is a sort of data storage supporting large capacity storage, while on-line storage is appropriate for frequent access. It features generally higher reliability than HDDs for desktop PC applications. 

Toshiba and Lenovo to outsource Windows on ARM (WoA) tablet PCs

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Toshiba and Lenovo reportedly both plan to outsource their production of WoA (Windows on ARM) tablet PCs to Quanta Computer. WoA models are expected to hit the market in the first quarter of 2013.

In addition to WoA models, Lenovo also has been actively developing Wintel-based tablet PCs, and will launch Medfield- and Clover Trail-W models in 2012.

Echoing Intel's attempt to merge notebooks and tablet PCs, Lenovo has also unveiled a hybrid model, the IdeaPad Yoga.

Lenovo is showcasing its strength in terms of innovation, with an attempt to compete with Acer and Asustek Computer for global notebook market share.