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Buffalo's new HS-DHGL LinkStation NAS serves up some iTunes
While it's fun to watch manufacturers stuff ever-larger hard drives into their ever-sexier NAS products, it gets a bit tried after a while. That's why we're excited to see Buffalo mixing things up a bit with some fancy new iTunes sharing. For the most part, Buffalo's new HS-DHGL "LinkStation Living" lineup sticks to the general HDD bump scheme, with options for 250GB, 320GB and 500GB hard drives (at the respective prices of roughly $287, $306 and $441), but spices things up a bit with DLNA for media pushing, and breaks new ground with iTunes server functionality. We're not exactly sure if that means these things can serve up iTunes DRM'ed music, or just your standard fare MP3/AAC files, but it's a welcome addition all the same. We did see that iHome Multi-Center a couple months back that was touting FairPlay compatibility, so we know the former is at least possible. Stir in a bit of gigabit Ethernet and TV recording functionality (over USB and Ethernet, it seems), and it looks like Buffalo has quite the winner here, though it looks like most of this winning will be happing in Japan for now.[Via Impress]
Buffalo's AirStation Nfiniti a/b/g/n gigabit Ethernet
What's better than a quad-WiFi MIMO wireless router that does draft-N? How about one that does gigabit Ethernet as well. Buffalo's unannounced AirStation Nfiniti may look like a 14.4 modem throwback from the US Robotics school of design, but sometimes form doesn't necessarily have to match function. Look for it in the CES time frame (if not sooner).
Buffalo's WSKP-G brings Skype on-the-go for about $200
Last we spotted a Buffalo Skype handset, it was tethered to a corded keyboard, which made us cry inside. This time though, Buffalo's come out with what we've been seeing more and more of lately: a separate wireless device that can work from any WiFi hotspot. It supports Buffalo's AOSS setup, handles WEP, WPA and WPA2 security protocols, and apparently lasts without a recharge for 2.5 hours. The WSKP-G should hit Japanese shores next month sometime for ¥24,100 ($204) -- we'd love to see one cross the Pacific in 2007, though we've got no idea if that'll actually happen.[Via Electronista, thanks Jonathan]
Buffalo's WLI-U2-G144N does 802.11n over USB 2.0
With 802.11n slowly seeping into our homes via rogue laptop cards and routine router upgrades, it might be a good time to look for a desktop 802.11n solution that doesn't involve the sacrifice of a PCI card. Buffalo's new WLI-U2-G144N is just such a thing, grabbing those hefty 802.11n waves and piping 'em into your computer via USB 2.0. No word on when exactly you can you pick one of these off of your local store shelf, or for how much, but at least we know they're on the way.
CSIRO wins landmark WLAN lawsuit against Buffalo, more to come?
The same folks who brought us fire-proof plastic, air guitar clothing, and wireless air hockey apparently delivered a lot more of the WiFi technology we all utilize daily than was previously recognized. Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization has won a landmark case against Buffalo Technology, "under which it could receive royalties from every producer of WLAN products worldwide." US patent 5487069 -- which "encompasses elements of the 802.11a/g wireless technology that is now an industry standard" -- was granted to the body back in 1996, and has subsequently been utilized in seemingly every piece of wireless kit ever since. Considering their recent victory, CSIRO's pending cases against Intel, Dell, Microsoft, HP, and Netgear definitely have roots now, and if judges continue to rule in the Aussies' favor, the big boys could be shelling out "hundreds of millions of dollars" in back pay to cover their wrongs. Ruh roh.[Thanks, Phil]
Buffalo's Wiimote knockoff: the BOMU-W24A/BL spatial mouse
If Buffalo's disco mouse is just a tad too psychedelic for your tastes, and you've got a hankering for some Wiimote action just a few days early, the company's BOMU-W24A/BL "spatial mouse" should tide you over. Aside from sporting the usual assortment of mouse buttons and a scroll wheel, this critter boasts an internal gyro sensor that allows the cursor to move with the flick (or twist) of your wrist. In case all that twirling gets a bit tiresome, it also packs a standard optical sensor for "normal use," and offers six programmable buttons all around the enclosure. After a hard day's night of pointing it up, this wild child fits snuggly into the USB charging cradle, and can be picked up later this month for over half the price of a Wii itself, or ¥19,780 ($168).[Via Akihabara News]
Buffalo's multi-source video capture box
Buffalo has got a new video capture device for those not content with recording from a single source at a time, with the PC-MV72DX/U2 offering both S-video and composite inputs -- along with an integrated analog TV tuner -- to bolster your recording options. If that's not enough for you, it seems you can also daisy-chain up to ten of 'em together connected to a single PC. Alternatively, you can hook one (or more) of these suckers up to a network attached storage device (otherwise known as NAS), such as Buffalo's own LinkStation line of drives. Whatever configuration you go with, you'll get your choice of MPEG-1/2/4 video at up to 720 x 480 resolution, as well as all the PVR and TV viewing functions you'd expect to come with a PC-attached TV tuner. Look for this one to hit Japan later this month for 24,360 Yen (just over $200).[Via Akihabara News]
Buffalo debuts four new DriveStation Combo drives
Last we heard from Buffalo, it was busy releasing mega-sized drives, which left those of us who don't have that kind of coinage out in the cold. Today, we spied a handful of new Buffalo DriveStation Combo USB 2.0 / FireWire external drives, which may warm our hearts just a little bit. The new quartet of drives range from the 250GB (HD-HC250IU2) to a 750GB (HD-HC750IU2) drive and prices extend from $180 to $580, respectively. Each drive spins at 7,200rpm, has an AutoPower feature, remains fanless (packin' a dedicated heat sink instead) and operates at near silence.[Via ExtremeTech]
Buffalo's HD-QSU2/R5 DriveStations: 2TB and yummy eSATA
We say bring it, Buffalo, and your bigazz drives! Meet the new HD-QSU2/R5 DriveStations now with eSATA connectivity in either 1TB or 2TB models. Each ships with four, 7200RPM SATA drives allowing 'em to be conifigured as RAID 0/1/5. That's up to 500GB more capacity than before with eSATA throwing the bits 'tween the DriveStation and PC at 3x the rate of USB 2.0 -- that's over 100MB/s as tested under RAID 5. On sale starting mid-November in Japan (and likely abroad soon after) for about ¥83,580 (about $702) for the 1TB or ¥156,345 (about $1,312) for that biggie 2TB. Hmm, wonder if one of those new BitTorrent routers comes with eSATA? Er, was that out loud?[Via Impress]
Buffalo DriveStation Duo stores files, can't grate cheese
Although fashionably late to the party, Buffalo's new DriveStation Duo does stack up nicely against Fantom Drives' recent cheese grater-style storage device, and comes in a more understated traditional black instead of that brushed metal-look that all the kids are going for these days. The DriveStation Duo sports USB 2.0 and FireWire interfaces and ranges from 500GB to 1.5TB in capacity, and the 7,200RPM SATA drives that it's packin' can be set up in a RAID-1 configuration-- for either mirroring or full capactiy modes, depending on your persuasion. Oh, and you'll take a $250 to $1,000 hit sometime later this month for the pleasure of taking 'em for a spin.
Buffalo's BOMU-IL USB mouse has disco fever
If you've been tirelessly searching for a well-lit mouse to shake its tail across that EverGlide LED dance floor mouse pad, Buffalo is putting the funk right where you need it. The BOMU-IL series mice come in two ultra-ordinary colors (black and white), but when plugged into your computer's USB port, the light show begins. Each mouse sports a different seven color rotation for your own personal memorization, while both share an 800dpi optical sensor, retractable USB cable, right / left click buttons, a smooth scroll wheel, and a symmetrical design that caters to righties and southpaws alike. The perfect input device to queue up those Parliament playlists will be hitting stores in October for ¥3,320 ($29).[Via Impress]
Buffalo intros TS-HTGL/R5 TeraStation Pro NAS series
Keeping things fresh in its TeraStation lineup, Buffalo is dropping three new NAS units touting up to two terabytes of capacity and faster access speeds than previous models. Besides sporting the obligatory RAID 0/1/5 functionality (and looking exactly like its predecessor), the TeraStation Pro TS-HTGL/R5 series holds four hard drives behind a lockable door, gigabit Ethernet, and a snazzy LCD panel to show internal temperature and worrisome alerts. Slated to be available in 1.0, 1.6, and 2.0TB flavors, the units will also support "ActiveDirectory domain," which apparently pulls double duty as a security gate to ward off curious intruders and a data divisor based on group / role login preferences. Although pricing deets are currently unavailable, the trio will be getting NASty (read: shipping) in early December.[Via Impress]
Buffalo's USB keyboard and Skype handset
When technology and design diverge, out slops this USB Skype keyboard from the yawning crevasse of consumer hell. Buffalo went and super-sized a standard 109 key keyboard, shrunk a ma bell handset, and married the two in a fit of craplastic under the beelzebublian monikered BKBU-SKJ109/SV. In addition to the 12 function keys you've never quite figured out how to map, Buffalo throws another 13 hot keys at ya plus volume control for external headphones, not the handset. And while you might assume it includes a speakerphone, it doesn't, at least that capability isn't in the specs, so prepare to be tethered to that keyboard on an apparently short leash. Yours if you must, starting October for ¥6,993 or about $60.[Via Impress]
Buffalo's USB powered laptop speakers
If you just gotta have the thump only a, uh, 2 x 0.5 watt pair of USB-powered speakers can deliver then by all means, have at these from Buffalo. Dubbed the BSPL-MU09N/SV in a fit of alphabetical vomit, these bezel-attached speakers bring a 4-ohm impedance, 200Hz~12kHz frequency zone, and 3.5-mm stereo-in for excreting that laptop sound. Yours for ¥4,179 or about $36 starting late September, you know, if you're just feeling silly.[Via Impress]
Buffalo's IFC-CB2ES dual eSATA PCMCIA card
Although PCMCIA inputs may be waning in popularity (just don't tell Mercedes owners) while making way for those snazzy ExpressCard slots, we're sure quite a few laptop owners are still looking for a worthwhile component to shove in that unutilized port, and Buffalo's IFC-CB2ES just might be the ticket. This eSATA (external serial ATA) card doubles up on Ratoc's REX-EX30S by sporting two hot-swappable inputs for those moments when one external drive just won't cut it -- the device also includes Acronis' MigrateEasy software, which makes for easy system backups in case your notebook drive craps out, and Buffalo touts the card's ability to boot directly from an external drive in case of such emergencies. If you're running short on USB / IEEE 1394 ports and desperately need the spacious relief that only external storage can provide, you can dust off that PCMCIA slot and snag the IFC-CB2ES later this month for ¥4,700 ($40 US).[Via Akihabara News]
Mini USB gamepad for those with small hands
Tell us this doesn't look exactly like that other mini folding USB gamepad we blogged back in February. There's only one way to crown a king in the battle for world's smallest portable USB gamepad ... a size off! The USB Pocket GamePad measures 3.93x1.81x0.47 inches, and weighs only 0.07 pounds. Total volume: 3.34 cubic inches! The Buffalo USB Micro-pad measures 3.93x1.85x0.47 inches, and weights only 0.11 pounds. Total volume: 3.42 cubic inches! It was a close battle, but the cleverly-titled USB Pocket GamePad took the lead. As much as size matters, we'll concede there are other distinctions to be made. For example, the Buffalo comes in two varieties, one with the classic D-pad and another with a PSP-style thumb-nub (pictured above). But, uh, that's about it. Otherwise, we're talking about the same button arrangement, layout and, for the most part, ergonomics. So the real question is price and availability which, alas, we don't have for the Buffalo USB Micro-pad yet. [Via Engadget]
Buffalo's USB Micro-Pads for gaming on-the-go
It's not like your average SNES of PSX-inspired PC gamepad is really too much of a chore to lug around, but if you've really got to get your game on with minimal addition to your gear bag, Buffalo's new USB Micro-Pads seem to be the way to go. The folding controller comes in both an analog stick version (pictured) and a traditional direction pad edition, and both Micro-Pads feature dual shoulder buttons, a couple of extra face buttons, and a mini-USB to USB adaptor. Along with being a good match for most PC emulators and other relevant titles, we're thinking this could do good things for a Pocket PC-based emulation fan if Buffalo brings the necessary drivers to the table, but we'll have to wait and see. No word on price or availability yet.
Buffalo's FTD-W924ADSR/SV 19-inch widescreen LCD
This thing has a name only a mother could love, but Buffalo's FTD-W924ADSR/SV has enough spec goodness to help us overlook its unsightly model number. The 19-inch 16:10 widescreen display runs at a 1,440 x 900 resolution, with a 5ms response time and 800:1 contrast ratio. For inputs the LCD can take VGA and DVI-D, along with audio input to power the back-mounted stereo speakers. According to recent sales numbers, 19-inch LCDs seem to be the new black, so we're guessing this display should do pretty well for itself when Buffalo drops it in a week or so for some as-of-yet undisclosed price.[Via Impress]
Buffalo's "28-in-1" card reader
It looks like Buffalo hasn't met a memory card it didn't like, finding room for just about every format under the sun in it's new MCR-C12H/U2 series card reader, although they sure know how to stretch the definition of individual card types. Still, marketing hype aside, the so-called "28-in-1" reader packs support for most everything you could ask for, including seemingly every variation of SD, mini/microSD, xD, CompactFlash, and Memory Stick -- and, with the aid of a fresh firmware update, SDHC cards up to 4GB as well (making it a 29-in-1 reader if you follow Buffalo's logic). Our friends in Japan should be able to pick the reader up now, in their choice of four pretty tame colors, for ¥2,960 (about 25 bucks).[Via Akihabara News]
D-Link releases RangeBooster line of draft-N gear
Probably feeling left out now that all its competitors have released gear conforming to the troubled draft-802.11n WiFi standard, D-Link has finally entered the game with a pair of routers that promise increased range and throughput over traditional 802.11/a/b/g equipment while maintaining compatibility with previously deployed products. So far the reviews we've read about similar routers from Linksys, Buffalo, and Netgear have not been all that positive, so we're not expecting too much from the 3-antenna RangeBooster N 650 and 2-antenna Rangebooster N, although the fact that you can pick up the latter for under a hundred bucks may convince you to give it a try. Still, you're probably not gonna get anywhere near the bandwidth that D-Link promises, and with the controversy over 802.11n still raging on, you're probably better off with a MIMO-equipped 802.11g model instead.Read- RangeBooster N 650Read- RangeBooster N[Via PCMag]
