Hitachi GST mixes cloud and USB 3.0 storage with Touro Pro drives

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (GST) has launched a line of USB 3.0 drives that come with 3GB of free cloud storage.

The Touro Mobile Pro line includes two USB-powered 7,200rpm portable drives of 500GB and 750GB, and three desktop models going up to 3TB.

The drives can update to a cloud storage facility via the host computer, and the data can be accessed from most portable internet devices.

Customers can also buy an upgrade to allow 250GB of storage for an additional $49, including a free application that links iPads and iPhones to the cloud storage repository.

"Unbound by convention, Hitachi GST was the first to blend personal storage with cloud backup. We're liberating our customers from the limitations of today's technology and giving them free rein about where they store and how they access their digital content," said Mike Williams, general manager of Hitachi GST branded business group.

"Our new intelligent storage products and services continue to redefine how we connect to our content, while providing data protection, simplicity and ease of use for just about anyone."

The drives range in price from $109.99 to $229.99 and will ship in June.