John D. Osterhout, Hitachi Global Storage Technology

CE Requirements for Handheld Devices: Hitachi’s Perspectives

Abstract

Integrating hard drives into consumer electronic devices requires a level of understanding and approach different from traditional information technology devices. Consumer usage patterns require longer battery life, more rugged designs, higher capacities, smaller footprint, added reliability, less focus on performance, and greater emphasis on value. These are the factors that disk drive manufacturers must address as they advise customers on selecting the right hard drive, software compatibility, reliability and mounting considerations and design integration.

John Osterhout will discuss how Hitachi GST is working with CE customers to identify market trends and how the company is incorporating these requirements into various HDD products.

Biography

John Osterhout is the Director of Consumer Electronics Marketing for Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, headquartered in San Jose, California. In this role, John assumes a leadership role in the marketing efforts of hard disk drives designed for consumer electronic applications. Prior to this assignment, John was Director of Business Development for Hitachi GST’s Emerging Business Unit.

Before joining Hitachi in January 2003, John led the worldwide marketing efforts behind IBM's revolutionary Microdrive products for more than two years. He was instrumental in establishing IBM's market leadership in high capacity storage for handheld digital products.

Before his IBM tenure, John held various marketing management and business line management positions at Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York. He has a broad marketing background in consumer and high-tech products, and has been instrumental in bringing numerous innovative products to market. His industry knowledge and experience spans several key sectors: photography, consumer electronics and information technology.

John has served on the board of directors of several industry associations, including the Consumer Electronics Manufacturer's Association (CEMA), the Interactive Multimedia Association (IMA), and the CompactFlash Association (CFA).

John holds a B.A. in Economics and an MBA from the University of Rochester. He lives in Los Gatos, California with wife, Barbara, and daughters Robin and Jessica.