Toshiba will manufacture flash-based solid-state drives for laptops early next year, which the company says will offer faster boot times and lower power consumption than hard disk drives. The drives will initially come in three capacities: 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. High prices for NAND flash memory have limited adoption of the drives so far, but Toshiba and other memory makers such as Samsung are expected to ramp up production, which should lower prices and spur wider use. Solid state drives are also said to be more durable than hard disks and make no noise. Go SolidStateToshiba Readies Solid-State Drives
Toshiba will manufacture flash-based solid-state drives for laptops early next year, which the company says will offer faster boot times and lower power consumption than hard disk drives. The drives will initially come in three capacities: 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. High prices for NAND flash memory have limited adoption of the drives so far, but Toshiba and other memory makers such as Samsung are expected to ramp up production, which should lower prices and spur wider use. Solid state drives are also said to be more durable than hard disks and make no noise. Go SolidStateBrussels funds Galileo
The EU approves a EUR 2.4b plan to finance the troubled Galileo satellite navigation network, intended to rival U.S.-run GPS, by redeploying unspent money for farm subsidies and competitiveness projects. So far, only 1 out of 30 planned satellites has been launched. 
Go Galileo
Go GalileoDell signs DSGi
The No.2 PC maker moves farther from its direct-to-consumer sales model with a new agreement to sell its PCs through DSGi's European network of store brands including Currys.digital, Currys, Electro World, Elkjop, PC City and PC World. The DSGi-Dell agreement covers 1300 stores in 12 European markets: the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the U.K. 
Beginning this January, consumers will find a full portfolio of Dell products at DSGi's stores -- from high-end gaming systems, to notebooks and desktops. The announcement follows similar partnerships between Dell and Carrefour (France, Spain and Belgium) and M.Video (Russia), as well as Best Buy, Staples and Wal-Mart (USA). Go DELL & DSGiTechnoslia doubles stores in Russia
With an 8% share of the Russian market for electronics and home appliances, Technosila is the country's No.3 retailer (behind leader Eldorado and No.2 M.Video).
The company will double the number of stores by 2010 focusing on Russia's fast-growing regions, including the Russian Far East and cities with populations of more than 100,000.
The retailer currently operates 132 outlets, 25 in Moscow and suburbs, in addition to 43 franchise shops. Its Internet subsidiary was launched in 2005.
Technosila's turnover was $1.01b last year, which is 69% higher than its turnover in 2005. The company expects to grow sales by 38.8% this year up to $1.4b.
Go Technoslia
Toshiba Readies Solid-State Drives
Toshiba will manufacture flash-based solid-state drives for laptops early next year, which the company says will offer faster boot times and lower power consumption than hard disk drives. The drives will initially come in three capacities: 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. High prices for NAND flash memory have limited adoption of the drives so far, but Toshiba and other memory makers such as Samsung are expected to ramp up production, which should lower prices and spur wider use. Solid state drives are also said to be more durable than hard disks and make no noise. Go SolidStatePage 930 of 932
