Western Digital Stock Price, News & Analysis

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) has launched its second-generation UFS 3.1 storage solution, the iNAND® MC EU551, tailored for 5G smartphones. This new offering enhances performance with a 100% boost in random read speeds and significant improvements in write speeds, enabling advanced applications like 8K video and AR/VR. The device is sampling now with volume availability slated for July 2021, supporting capacities of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. IDC projects that 5G smartphones will grow to 69% of global shipments by 2025, highlighting a promising market for this technology.

Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC) has launched its Ultrastar^® Edge server family, designed for high-performance data processing, latency reduction, and real-time decision-making at the data source. The servers cater to cloud providers and industries operating in remote locations, featuring robust designs for extreme conditions. The Ultrastar Edge-MR and Ultrastar Edge models will be available from CQ4 2021. Analyst forecasts predict server deployments at edge locations to double by 2024, representing a significant market opportunity for Western Digital in the 5G and IoT landscape.

The DNA Data Storage Alliance, created by Twist Bioscience (TWST), Illumina (ILMN), and Western Digital (WDC), has published a white paper titled “Preserving our Digital Legacy: An Introduction to DNA Data Storage.” This document discusses DNA storage's potential to address the exponential growth of digital data, highlighting that humans generated over 400 ZB of data in 2020. The paper outlines DNA's unprecedented storage density, stability, and sustainability compared to existing technologies. The Alliance aims to develop standards for interoperability in DNA storage solutions as the technology evolves.

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) launched three new SSDs for its WD_BLACK™ gaming portfolio at the Flash Perspective event, enhancing storage solutions for gamers. The new offerings include:

• WD_BLACK SN750 SE NVMe SSD: Up to 3,600MB/s read speed, available in 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB, starting at $54.99.
• WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive SSD: Up to 900MB/s read speed, available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB, starting at $89.99.
• WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive SSD for Xbox: Xbox-certified, starting at $99.99.

These products aim to enhance gamer experiences with fast, reliable storage.

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) has partnered with Percona to enhance the performance of its Ultrastar DC ZN540 NVMe ZNS SSDs for MySQL Server. This collaboration aims to optimize the capabilities of MySQL, a popular open-source database. Testing shows that MySQL on ZN540 ZNS SSDs can achieve up to three times more transactions per second than conventional SSDs. The alliance includes enterprise-class support and consulting services, making ZNS SSD integration smoother for customers. The new solution will be available in the second half of 2021.

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) unveiled its new embedded flash platform during the Flash Perspective Event. The platform supports Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 3.1, aiming to enhance applications in mobile, automotive, IoT, AR/VR, and drones. This technology is expected to achieve a remarkable 90% improvement in sequential write performance compared to its prior version, showcasing the company's commitment to innovation in emerging technology sectors.

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) has expanded its WD Purple family with the new WD Purple Pro product line, aimed at advanced AI-enabled recorders and servers. This product release comes as the global video surveillance camera market is projected to grow from $23.6 billion in 2019 to $44 billion by 2025. Key features include enhanced AllFrame AI technology, supporting up to 64 HD cameras and additional AI streams. The drives offer capacities from 8TB to 18TB and are designed for demanding workloads, making them suitable for AI and video analytics applications.

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) will participate in several upcoming investor conferences, showcasing its commitment to data solutions. Key events include the J.P. Morgan 49th Annual Global Technology Conference on May 26, 2021, the Cowen Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on June 1, 2021, and the Stifel Virtual Cross Sector Insight Conference on June 8, 2021. Presentations will be accessible via live webcast on Western Digital's Investor Relations website, with archived replays available post-event.

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) has been awarded the prestigious Pro Patria Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for its outstanding support of National Guard and Reserve employees. Recognized in the Large Business category by California's ESGR committee, the award highlights the company's commitment to facilitating military service for its employees. Initiatives include the We.Salute group, care packages for deployed members, and partnerships with veteran organizations. This accolade adds to Western Digital's previous honors, underscoring its dedication to supporting military personnel.