Solid-state drives lose data if left without power for just a few days

              Solid-state drives don't look like much, but they're in many newer notebooks

Storage. It's not a sexy topic. But everyone uses it in some way or another. You have iPhones, you have computers. Everyone knows how important a person's data is. But it doesn't just "disappear."

New research suggests that newer solid-state hard drives, which are faster and offer better performance, are vulnerable to an inherent flaw -- they lose data when they're left dormant in storage for periods of time where the temperature isn't properly regulated.

The worrying factor is that the period of time can be weeks, months, but even in some circumstances -- just a few days.Solid-state drives are better than regular mechanical hard drives, which are slow and sluggish. But unless they're battered around, smashed, or poured in acid, they pretty much last forever.

A recent presentation by hard drive maker Seagate's Alvin Cox warned that the period of time data is retained on some solid-state drives is halved for every 9°F (or 5°C) rise in temperature where its stored.

That means if a solid-state drive is stored in a warm room, say 77°F (25°C), its data can last for about two years. But, if that goes up by a mere few degrees to 86°F (30°C), that data's retention period will be cut in half.

Don't immediately freak out, though. It depends entirely on the temperature, but also the type of drive you're using. Most consumer solid-state drives, such as those in high-end performance desktops and certain notebooks (including Apple MacBooks), do not suffer as much. They are designed to retain data for about two years in storage under the right temperature.

But enterprise solid-state drives pose the biggest risk to data loss, because the retention period drops considerably.

A moderate increase of just 9°F (5°C) in temperature in a space where an enterprise solid-state drive is stored can drop a retention rate from 20 weeks to 10 weeks.

Why does it even matter? Data isn't meant to just disappear, or get lost. Although newer solid-state drives are more common in a consumer rather than an enterprise setting (mostly because of the associated costs), ensuring data security is a high priority for businesses and companies.

But keeping a solid-state drive at a reasonable temperature is probably the last thing most think of.

"If long-term storage is required, image the [drive] onto a mechanical drive and place that drive in storage as well".

First car powered by Android Auto arrives

                                     Android Auto in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hyundai

The first production car model integrated with Android Auto has rolled off the shop floor -- and it is a Hyundai 2015 Sonata.

On Tuesday, the South Korean automaker announced the launch of Android Auto within its production vehicles, starting with the 2015 Sonata with Navigation model.

If Android smartphone users own a 2015 Sonata with navigation capabilities, they can now ask their dealerships to download the vehicle infotainment system for free. Android 5.0 Lollipop or later is required on paired smartphones to integrate Android Auto properly into the 2015 Sonata with Navigation.

Android Auto is Google's answer to infotainment systems, designed to rival Apple's CarPlay , which is based on the iOS ecosystem. Android Auto offers hands-free, voice-activated smartphone application use on the road including Google Maps, Now, messaging, phone calling and music. A number of third-party apps are also compatible with the infotainment system, such as iHeartRadio, Spotify, TuneIn, NPR, Stitcher and Skype.

The South Korean automaker says working with Google and including Android Auto in the firm's vehicles improves safety. Hyundai claims that during daytime hours, roughly 600,000 drivers at any given time are using their smartphones or using electronic drivers across the US while driving -- and the infotainment system helps "keep drivers' eyes and attention on the road" by integrating the same functions of devices into the car's dashboard.

"Furthermore, the smartphone's screen becomes "locked," so drivers are not tempted to look down and interact with their phones directly while Android Auto is in use," Hyundai says.

While owners of existing 2015 Sonata with Navigation models can snap up the software update for free from dealerships, later in summer, other Hyundai owners can download the software on to USB drives for use with navigation ports to make their systems Android Auto compatible.

Hyundai is not the only automaker interested in adopting Android Auto. Compatible vehicles are slated for release by a number of other manufacturers, including Audi, Bentley, Honda, Ford and Nissan.