Toshiba has successfully demonstrated a recording head traveling over a track packed with some 2.5 terabits of data per square inch. Using a technique called bit patterned media, a data density in the order of five times that of Toshiba's own high capacity drives is achieved. While the company has yet to demonstrate reading and writing yet, Toshiba claims that it is the first to control a head over such a dense data track.

Not everyone is optimistic that using bit patterned media is the way to go, however. William Cain, vice president of technology at Western Digital expressed doubts, saying, "Technologies don't exist in the supply base to create such small features cost effectively." Toshiba isn't deterred however, and expects the first drives based on bit-patterned technology to be available around 2013.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Ars Technica
- check out this article at EETimes 

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