IBM Corp has a new tape drive technology up its sleeve for launch next year, but Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co has let the cat out of the bag by announcing the cartridge for what is currently called the IBM New Technology Prototype. The half-inch cartridge will store 10Gb uncompressed, 50 times more capacity than the widely-used IBM 3480 technology. 3M has been working with IBM on the New Technology Prototype, which is due to appear early next year. The drive will transfer data at 9M-bytes a second – four times as fast as the 3490E.It is based on the 3480 form factor, making it backwards-compatible with existing 3480 and 3490E storage and automation slots, and features a unique linear design that enables the tape to float over the magnetoresistive drive head, much reducing tape wear. The 3M cartridge and IBM drive are now in field tests with seismic contractors in the oil exploration industry, the company said.
