Holographic storage bites the dust
After 9 years and $100,000,000, holographic storage pioneer InPhase Technologies has shut down without ever shipping a product. Their office building was also seized for non-payment of back taxes.
Then marketing VP Liz Murphy assured me that the product would ship in May, 2008. It didn't.
The company struggled to find new investors. Reportedly many employees took pay cuts - or no pay at all - to help keep the company going.
It is a sad and ignominious end to a brave technology experiment. And a warning to anyone trying to replace disk drives as random access storage.
How does it work? Holograms use 2 coherent laser beams - a reference beam and an illumination beam - to create an interference pattern that is recorded on photo sensitive media. Shine a laser on the recorded interference pattern and the original image is reconstructed in glorious 3D. As the laser moves around - or you do - you see the image from different perspectives.
Holographic storage has some neat properties.
- A small fragment of a hologram can reconstruct the entire data image. The fragment won’t let you move as far around the image, but for 2D images, like a photograph, it means a scratch isn’t fatal.
- Data density is theoretically unlimited. By varying the angle between the reference and illumination beams - or the angle of the media - hundreds of holograms can be stored in the same physical area.
- Another factor: photographic media has the longest proven lifespan - over a century - of any modern media. Since there’s no physical contact you can read the media millions of times with no degradation.
What was the problem? At a 40% annual capacity growth rate hard drives are difficult to catch. When InPhase started showing their initial prototype, 300 GB wasn't much less than hard drives. But 3 years later 300 GB is less than 1/6th the capacity.
Nor was it very speedy: 20 MB/sec. You can do almost as well with a USB thumb drive.
InPhase planned to take the drives to 1.6 TB and 120 MB/sec. If they could ship that today, they'd have a competitive product.
In the meantime, cheap hard drives and cheaper hard drive docks make it easy to use bare drives for backup and data transfer. The market for 300 GB removable drives withered before it had a chance to grow.
The Storage Bits take The disk industry spends over $1B a year improving hard drives. Thousands of PhD scientists and engineers are busy researching drive problems.
That kind of momentum is hard for a startup to overcome. NAND flash did so only because it built a large business in mobile applications where disk drives couldn't compete.
For a startup to succeed with holographic storage they'll need to either
- a) build a multi-billion dollar business where disks and now flash don't compete, or
- b) start with a product that is 10x - 5 years - ahead of current disk drive capacity.
As I wrote in my other blog, StorageMojo, 4 years ago:
I love holographic technology and wish InPhase the best, but I don’t believe they have a viable business with their technology – yet. The problem: 3.5″ disk drives will reach 750GB by the end of this year with much faster transfer rates. InPhase’s 20 Mbps is only 2.5 million bytes per second or only 9GB per hour. It will take over 30 hours just to fill one disk! I predict that hard drives will still be more convenient and fairly cost-competitive than this promising new technology.
But keep at it guys. Lightning will strike if your investors are patient enough.
With the InPhase demise we may never see holographic storage commercialized. Especially if disk vendors start building archive-quality disks.
Comments welcome, of course. I was rooting for InPhase's success, to no avail. Update: I added the quote from 4 years ago that I'd forgotten. End update.
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ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
One of the best QLED TVs I've tested isn't from Samsung or LG, and it's on sale
What's the deal?
While we're waiting for Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale, Best Buy is offering the 65-inch TCL QM8 for $900, letting you save $300 on one of the best QLED TVs on the market for streaming movies and shows as well as console gaming.
What makes this deal ZDNET recommended:
- The TCL QM8 (2023) features a vibrant and bright QLED panel that supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, providing exceptional color depth and contrast.
- The TV's dedicated gaming mode allows monitoring of frame rates and refresh rates, and it performs well with both the PS5.
- It has some minor drawbacks, such as the need for a soundbar for better audio and the lack of automatic power-on with connected devices.
Last year's TCL QM8 made our list of the best 85-inch TVs, and the other model sizes were just as good. It features a QLED panel as well as support for both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for better picture quality and virtual surround sound. This TV's dedicated gaming mode allows you to monitor frame rates and VRR status. Plus, our testing of the QM8 proves itself to be a well-rounded TV -- and for a price that is a little easier on the wallet than competing brands.
Also: I optimized the cheapest 98-inch TV available to look and sound amazing. Here's how
I'm sure you've heard of TCL and even seen its more budget-friendly TVs at Walmart or on Amazon, but the QM8 is the brand's newest iteration of its mid-range line, boosting a QLED screen with support for Dolby Vision as well as HDR10+, which helps to create bolder colors and deeper contrasts.
Buy Now
TCL QM8 (2023) for $900 (save $300 at Best Buy)
This is a 65-inch screen featuring Dolby Vision IQ and a 240Hz variable refresh rate.
Setting up the HDR was a quick, two-to-three-minute process. You can always make changes later in the TV's settings, and when you set up game consoles like the PlayStation 5, you can set up game-specific HDR settings.
There's also a dedicated game mode, which you can access by holding the hamburger menu button while using a game console via HDMI. The mode creates a top and bottom bar, which allows you to monitor your frame and refresh rates as well as choose different color temperature settings or even share screenshots and videos of your gameplay.
Also: Best TVs for the PS5: LG, Samsung, Hisense, and more
The picture quality of the QM8 is much better than what I was expecting, as I'm more familiar with TCL's budget TVs. The QLED panel is bright, clear, and vibrant, which makes it a great choice for gaming as well as for revisiting old favorite shows and movies.
I sat down for my semiregular re-watch of the original Teen Titans show from Cartoon Network, and even though the cartoon is 20 years old, the resolution upscaling was clean, eliminating that odd "fuzziness" that older, pre-1080p media can have.
By playing around with the picture settings, I was able to tweak the contrast and color to really take advantage of the dynamic art style, which is full of dark shadows and bright, colorful superhero costumes.
For gaming, the QM8 worked wonderfully with both my PS5 and Nintendo Switch, offering smooth playback and great picture quality. Keep in mind that your Switch hardware may not support 4K output, especially if it's a first-iteration model (which is what I have).
Also: Best TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and TCL compared
Although the Switch graphics looked a bit chunky with some titles, especially Wheel of Fortune (but it sort of added to the charm), they never looked bad, per se. Other games like Hades looked amazing, with smooth animations and on-screen action, and vivid colors.
The built-in speakers of the QM8 sound respectable but quiet, so I recommend picking up a soundbar like the TCL Alto 6+ to boost dialogue and enhance the sound in movies, music, shows, and games.
Another drawback to the QM8 is that it doesn't automatically turn on when a connected device is powered on. I own several other televisions, and each of them automatically turns on when I power on a game console or DVD player. It's a very small gripe, but it's a quality-of-life feature that I personally like to have in my TVs.
ZDNET's buying advice
TCL's QM8 (2023) may not be the latest model from the brand, but it's one of the best QLED TVs you can still buy today, with a price point that undercuts competing models from Samsung, Sony, and LG. For just about all things visual, including gaming, the TV gets the job done. If you want to make the experience even better, I suggest pairing the set with one of the best soundbars available.
Featured reviews
'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Get a free pair of Buds FE when you buy a Samsung Galaxy A35 at Amazon
Samsung may have just dropped new phones and devices in July, but there are some sizzling savings still live on some other models, like the Galaxy A35 smartphone -- a nearly perfect option for older kids and teens.
Also: The best early October Prime Day deals you can shop
If you have kids who are asking for their own smartphones, Amazon is offering a free pair of Samsung Buds FE wireless earbuds when you bundle them with a Samsung Galaxy A35 smartphone. That's a $75 value. It's a win-win for kids and parents: they get a sleek (but affordable) smartphone and a pair of cool wireless earbuds to argue with the iPhone kids about at the bus stop, and you get to save a bit of money as you work your way through that back-to-school shopping list.
Also: The Best Samsung phones you can buy: Expert tested
The Samsung Galaxy A35 on-offer for the bundle comes with 128GB of internal storage, but if you ever need more space, it supports up to a 1TB microSD card. It also uses an AMOLED display for great color, contrast, and detailing. It features a 13MP front-facing camera, while the rear of the phone has 8MP ultra-wide, 50MP wide-angle, and 5MP macro lenses, allowing you to create various photography styles on a single device. It's even IP67-rated for water and dust resistance, so you won't have to worry about a bit of rain or spilled water destroying your new phone.
Also: Why Samsung's Galaxy A35 is the mid-ranger to beat in 2024
The Buds FE are a relatively affordable pair of wireless earbuds from Samsung, offering a mid-range option for customers looking for premium features like active noise cancellation without the premium price. They feature a redesigned wingtip for a more comfortable and secure fit inside your ear so you can enjoy your music, podcasts, and videos and less time hunting for your earbuds on the couch. With Tap Connect, you can instantly pair the earbuds to your Samsung smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch, or you can pair them with two devices simultaneously and flip between them with the auto switch feature. This makes them an excellent option for anyone who has separate devices for work and personal use and doesn't want the hassle of disconnecting and reconnecting earbuds every time you switch devices.
Don't miss a chance to nab this Samsung bundle offer while you still can.
When will this deal expire?
The Amazon listing for the Galaxy A35 and Buds FE bundle doesn't have an expiration countdown or "limited time deal" tag, but that doesn't mean that this deal will last forever. There may be limited stock available for this bundle at this price, or Samsung may change the terms of the deal at some point in the future (and not necessarily for the good of your wallet), so you won't want to wait to snag this bundle.
'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Eufy's new security camera takes full-color, daylight-looking footage at night
If you use an outdoor security camera to keep an eye on a very dark area, a new option from Eufy promises to provide some of the best results ever.
Most security cameras have low-light options that rely on IR (infrared radiation). Unfortunately, IR footage has that black-and-white ghostly feel (like the kind that might get you $100,000 from Ring), meaning you could miss important details. A built-in spotlight -- which many cameras have -- does allow for full-color recording, but it can be disruptive depending on your location.
Also: This $80 device may be the only indoor security camera you'll need
The EufyCam S3 Pro introduces a feature called "MaxColor Vision" that, according to Eufy, takes full-color, daylight-looking footage even in pitch black. The tech works by using a 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensor and F1.0 aperture and then processing the image with artificial intelligence (AI). That combination allows you to see -- and record -- license plates and faces up to 30 feet away, Eufy claims
Eufy is also touting new dual motion detection that uses radar and passive infrared to accurately record human activity and avoid false alerts, for example, from a tree blowing in the wind.
The EufyCam S3 Pro comes with 16GB of storage (no subscription needed), but you can expand it to 16TB depending on your needs. Since it's completely wireless, it comes with a USB-rechargeable battery and solar panel. Eufy claims one hour of sunlight is enough to keep it charged for a full day.
If you have other smart home devices, the S3 Pro works with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.
The camera does have a built-in spotlight that can adapt automatically based on lighting conditions or can be adjusted manually as you're viewing the livestream, but he spotlight isn't needed to get the best low-light quality.
The EufyCam S3 Pro is available starting with a two-camera bundle for $549.99.
