Here's a new DVD drive from IO Data that is actually has two disc readers, enabling users to make copies of discs without using their PC.

In what seems to being happening a lot these days, IO Data has announced certain models of their recent shock-resistant hard drives ship preloaded with... a virus.

Our buds at IO Data Device Corporation are releasing 4GB and 8GB USB flash memory devices. I'd call them hard drive replacements, but the price prevents me from doing so.

The USB memory device market has been completely overrun by devices of every shape, size, and extreme of technical specification.

But there's something about IO Data's new "Totebag SQUARE" that I really like. Is it the aluminum case? Is it the fact that it's not much larger than a silver dollar? I don't know, but I want one.

If flash memory isn't enough for your data, consider looking at IO Data's new "HDMX-SU" series of portable hard drives. They're not much bigger than a business card case, are pretty hot looking, and go up to 40GB capacities.

Throw out that crappy $12 headset you bought at Wal-Mart to talk o­n Skype, because IO Data's new hotness is o­n the horizon. The 'PDI-B911/PHF" is a Bluetooth hands-free kit that connects to your PC via USB.

But for some reason, the device is limited to PCs that do not have integrated Bluetooth.

IO Data will release the "STAR WARS USB Memory Collection," a range of USB flash memory products on July 9. Four models have been prepared based on Star Wars characters - Darth Vader, Jedi, R2-D2 and C-3PO. The 256MB USB2.0 memory will have no recommended retail price but is expected to sell for approximately 4,880 yen. Click through for plenty of pics.

I-O Data has just released two new drives; an internal DVD±RW drive, which connects via ATAPI and an external DVD±RW drive, which connects via USB.

IO Data is releasing 3 new USB flash memory products with a twist - they come with a copy of JR's Travel Navigator software for searching train timetables and routes. According to the company, the benefits of this are that you can save on hard disk space and take the timetable with you when you travel. Yeah right. They seem to have forgotten the fact that these benefits are already available to anyone in Japan with a mobile phone (i.e. 99.99% of the population) using one of the many timetable search websites.

I had absolutely no idea this existed, nor do I know how long it has existed:

http://shop.iodata.com/

IO Data appears to have an o­nline shop selling products directly to customers in the USA. This includes their AVeL LinkPlayer series of networked DivX/XviD players, their LANDISK line of NAS devices, their iVDR lineup, and even the Gundam USB memory. Odd twist of fate...could this be a sign that more Japanese manufacturers are looking to offer their products overseas? Green House, are you listening?