Western Digital to release firmware update for faulty SanDisk SSDs

Photo: Western Digital

Western Digital has announced it'll release a firmware update to fix a reliability issue with its SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro SSDs. Some customers have reported that their 4TB and 2TB Extreme V2 and Extreme Pro V2 portable drives erased their data or became unreadable. The issue seems to primarily affect the 4TB drives made since late 2022.

The company said it resolved the issue for the 4TB models and will publish the firmware update on its website soon. It did not mention the 2TB models or offer refunds to customers who lost their data. Western Digital asked customers to contact its customer support team for assistance. SanDisk drives bought before late 2022 are likely not affected by the issue. 

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Leaked Microsoft memo details 'new and disruptive' Surface Andromeda device

Updated on Monday, July 2, 2018 at 8:58PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Surface Andromeda Render by David Breyer @D_Breyer on Twitter

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Microsoft's Surface Andromeda project has mystified and excited those who have seen hints of this foldable form factor device that's as capable as a PC, as flexible as a tablet and as portable and connected as a smartphone. Those hints of this new and disruptive device became more relevant thanks to a leaked memo that's allegedly come from Microsoft.

We've had years worth of patents, fan renders, source code references and speculation that Microsoft's Andromeda device could the new new product category that moves us beyond the smartphone era. An internal document from Microsoft unearthed more details of a "pocketable Surface device form factor." In the email, Microsoft describes its Andromeda device as a "new and disruptive" device category that "blurs the lines between mobile and stationary computing."

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Google officially launches Backup and Sync

Introduced last month, Google has finally taken the wraps off its new Backup and Sync desktop application. The app, which works on both Windows and Mac, can sync everything from your personal files to photos and videos from things like cameras, SD cards, and even USB devices. These will get backed up as long as you put them in Google Drive and Google Photos. The app is for personal/consumer use, though. Google’s business users are being told to keep their files on Google Drive as the tech company is developing a business-centric solution they call Drive File Stream. This program is expected to come out later this year but interested businesses can sign up for the early adopter program.

Source: The Verge

Essential Phone coming exclusively to TELUS in Canada

Anyone interested in the Essential Phone, which is Android creator Andy Rubin's first news flagship smartphone, will be happy to know that the device is coming to Canada exclusively through TELUS. Pricing and availability are still being determined but Canadians can pre-register at telus.com/essential to be the first to know when pre-orders will be open late July. The Essential Phone will be available in store and online later this summer.

Rather plain looking and blocky, the Essential Phone is crafted from titanium, offers expansion with a 360' camera and has a unique edge-to-edge display as well as premium smartphone features.