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LaCie rolls out 500GB Ethernet Disk mini Home Edition
Apparently, releasing one external hard drive with 500GB of storage isn't enough for one week, as LaCie has now introduced its half terabyte Ethernet Disk mini Home Edition Personal Media Server. As with previous iterations, this drive is meant to "save, show, sync and share" your media, and it boasts the ability to "stream multimedia files through DLNA-compatible UPnP media players and act as an iTunes music server." Additionally, users can setup "free remote access to their personal information via LaCie's media portal," and aside from the gigabit Ethernet port and USB 2.0 socket, you'll also find an additional USB jack for backing up data to another external HDD. This one's slated for an October launch and should carry a $199 pricetag.
LaCie unveils 500GB silverscreen multimedia hard drive
Remember that measly 40GB silverscreen from years past? Thankfully, LaCie has finally found time to upgrade that thing to a much more stylish creation, complete with a half terabyte of built-in storage space (or 320GB if you're short on cash). The USB 2.0-based unit still features DivX compatibility and plug 'n plug operation with your television, and it even plays nice with JPEG / MP3 formats as well as offering up an optical digital audio output for Dolby Digital 5.1 support. Buyers will also find a wireless remote bundled in, and for those with HDTVs, the silverscreen is reportedly able to upscale content via component. No word on availability just yet, but we're hearing that the 500GB iteration is set to cost around €240 ($338) whenever it lands.[Via Gizmos]
Western Digital intros quad interface My Book Studio Edition
Don't say Iomega is the only bunch using the Apple Expo to unveil a new hard drive, as Western Digital is expanding its (recently expanded) My Book lineup once more with the Studio Edition. This unit comes formatted for Macs, is available in sizes ranging from 320GB to 1TB and features a quadruple interface giving users the option of using USB 2.0, FireWire 400 / 800, or eSATA. Additionally, the drive offers up "automatic, continuous backup," a capacity gauge, five-year warranty, SmartPower feature, a fanless design to keep things quiet, and of course, an "elegant silver metallic finish that perfectly complements other Mac products." The new crew is available now from $199.99 to $399.99 depending on capacity.
Western Digital unveils slimmer, sleeker My Book lineup
Just months ago, we saw Western Digital offer up a 2TB version of its My Book dual-drive line, and now the firm is introducing a "smaller, sleeker" family for those obsessed with style. Among the newcomers are the slimmer My Book Home Edition, My Book Office Edition, and My Book Essential Edition 2.0, all of which will be available in sizes ranging from 320GB to 1TB. Of note, you'll still find the same USB 2.0 connectivity (plus FireWire 400 and eSATA on the Home Edition), bundled backup features, and SmartPower functionality that automatically powers the drive on and off with the attached PC / Mac. The recently made-over trio is available now for $129.99 to $379.99 depending on model and capacity, and you can take a look at the rest of the gang after the break.
LaCie intros 2big trio of professional RAID drives
We know, you're probably still gawking at that shiny hunk of hard drive that LaCie announced earlier today, but for the pros out there, this lineup is likely to be more your style. The 2big family -- which will include the 2big Dual, 2big Triple and the 2big Network -- range in capacity from 1TB to 2TB, and all include a new "thermoregulated progressive smart fan" to keep things cool and quiet. As for the 2Big Dual, you'll find eSATA II and USB 2.0, while the 2Big Triple offers up both flavors of FireWire / USB 2.0 and the 2Big Network "is an Ethernet version that can act as a file sharing or backup server." Pricing on the trifecta will vary based on storage space and connectivity options, but you can find these hanging out in September and starting at $399.[Via Electronista]
LaCie lays out 500GB Golden Disk external HDD
Just in case LaCie's LEGO / Porsche-inspired hard drives don't excite you, the firm is apparently looking to snatch your business another way: by gilding an external HDD and waving it in your grille. The Golden Disk itself is an exclusive designed by French designer Ora-Ïto, and includes 500GB of storage, PC / Mac compatibility, a USB 2.0 interface, and LaCie's own 1-Click backup software to boot. Not much else to mention besides the price, so go on and get your $189 ready for an October landing, ya heard?[Via Pocket-Lint]
LaCie intros 4TB Biggest Quadra RAID drive
LaCie's 4TB Biggest Quadra certainly isn't the largest drive to rock the LaCie badge, but it does give users four ways to sync it up with their PC or Mac. The four-disk RAID drive touts FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0 and eSATA interfaces, supports RAID levels 0, 0+1 and 5, and will automatically shut down if temperates get too high. Reportedly, the device will ship with backup and recovery software and is slated to land in October for $2,199, right alongside the $1,099 2TB and $1,599 3TB versions.[Via TGDaily]
Novac intros external HDD enclosure with sizable cooling fan
Paranoid about excessive heat? Looks like the folks at Novac share your worries, as the NV-HDS392U external hard drive enclosure packs one of the largest, most prominent cooling fans you're likely to find in such a device. Boasting an all-aluminum frame and measuring in at 2.16- x 7.2- x 4.69-inches, this unit plays nice with any 3.5-inch IDE / SATA hard drive that you've got hanging around, and connects up with your Mac or PC via USB 2.0. If things get a bit heated, users can simply flip the "on" switch to crank up the side-mounted cooling fan, and those interested can snap this one up early next month for ¥4,980 ($43).[Via AkihabaraNews]
Dish to enable external HDD use with its DVRs, use Ethernet to 'phone home'
Dish Network users (and the ones that are about to be), commence rejoicing. According to MultiChannel, the satellite television provider is readying its "USB External Storage" solution, which will dole out a software update that allows users of the ViP622 HD DVR to attach their own USB hard drive for storing content. Notably, this wonderful luxury will only require a $39.99 "enabling fee," but we've no doubt the hardcore recorders won't mind a bit. Additionally, Dish is also scheduled to finally enable the Ethernet port for users who have wanted to "phone home" via this method, you know, considering you probably ditched your landline four years ago anyway. Reportedly, this will mark the first step in launching the new DishONLINE video-on-demand service, which could be operational next month. In other sat news, the latest DirecTV bird is set to actually make a difference "on or around September 15th," but for those itching to flank their ViP622 with "up to 750GB" of their own storage, you'll be waiting 'til August 15th.
Buffalo adds Turbo USB to MiniStation / DriveStation external HDDs
Lately, it's been Buffalo's NAS lineup getting all the attention, but today the firm is showing a little affection for its MiniStation and DriveStation. The MiniStation, which is available in capacities of 80GB, 120GB, 160GB, and a quarter-terabyte join the more capacious DriveStation (arriving with 320GB, 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB of space) in offering up the newfangled Turbo USB feature. Reportedly, this amenity "increases performance speed up to 60-percent faster than other USB hard drives on the market today," and benefits Windows and OS X users alike. The MiniStation ranges from $99.99 to $219.99 and should be available by the end of the month, but the DriveStation won't make its debut until early September when it rings up between $129.99 and $499.99.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Fujitsu intros 300GB Calmee Moon external HDD
We can only surmise that Fujitsu went ahead and stuffed its own brand spankin' new 300GB 2.5-incher into the new Calmee Moon external hard drive, and for those who freak over simplistic contrasts in color, these ought to suit your fancy just fine. The black / white (and vice versa) themed units arrive in a sleek, all-aluminum enclosure, include a one-touch backup feature, and sport both USB and eSATA interfaces. Sadly, there's no mention of when we can expect to shell out for these eye-catchers, but it shouldn't be too much longer for those stationed in Korea.[Via AVing]
Sarotech's Cutie Bio portable HDD sports fingerprint scanner
Cute though it may be, Sarotech's Cutie Bio portable hard drive is downright serious about data protection. Not one to let a lingering stranger peek beneath its dazzling shell, this pocket-friendly drive touts a built-in fingerprint scanner to protect the owner from spying eyes should it become lost or stolen. Additionally, the drive is built to handle drops and shocks as the head parks itself in freefall, and the USB 2.0 connection ensures speedy transfers when in a rush. Inside, you'll find a 2.5-inch 100GB hard drive just hankering for piles upon piles of juicy information, and this uber-protective device will run you ???150,000 ($162) whenever it lands in South Korea.[Via AVing]
Hitachi's external Easy Hard Drive reaches 1TB
It seems that Hitachi has been basking in the glory of releasing the world's first 1TB internal hard drive so long that it let a number of others leapfrog it in the external sector, but nevertheless, the company's Easy Hard Drive lineup has now hit the mark. Split into two offerings, the AC-powered External USB Storage device holds 500GB, 750GB, or a single 1TB HDD within a matte black case, and while we're sure it's total coincidence, we can't help but notice the eerie resemblance to the the Xbox 360 Elite. Moving on, the Portable USB Storage unit now holds 160GB, 200GB, or a full quarter-terabyte of space within a pocket-friendly enclosure that's entirely powered via USB. Both drives should be available right now if you're brave enough to enter a Best Buy, and while the portable drives will run you between $139.99 and $249.99 depending on size, the 1TB desktop drive's price still remains a mystery.[Via EverythingUSB]
Philips SPD5130 external hard drive hits 1TB
Philips certainly isn't the first company to shove 1TB of storage into some form of external enclosure, but the recently-unveiled SPD5130 does manage to strip the NAS niceties and add an eSATA interface all the while. Of course, users can still plug this one in via USB 2.0, and everyone should appreciate the 32MB included buffer for "enhanced transfer stability." Externally, the 1TB drive is wrapped in a thick aluminum shell that should protect it from minor battles, touts a one-click backup button, and it even includes an intelligent power management feature that powers it up and down with the PC it is attached to. Reportedly, the SPD5130 should be available to customers in Europe and the US pretty soon, and while we haven't seen anything official just yet, we're hearing that it'll run €449 across the pond and $499 here on American soil.[Via Pocket-Lint]
Netgear intros business-class networking solutions, partners with Avaya for VoIP
Fresh off its acquisition of Infrant Technologies, Netgear is unloading a bevy of new RAID NAS products, a host of small to mid-size business networking gear, and a newfound partnership with Avaya to provide VoIP to SMB customers. On the storage front, the four-bay ReadyNAS NV+ (desktop) and ReadyNAS 1100 (rackmount) devices support RAID 0/1/5 and X-RAID, automated backups and alerting, gigabit Ethernet, UPnP AV multimedia access, a number of USB ports, and room for up to four SATA drives. As for networking gear, the company is busting out its new WFS709TP ProSafe Smart Wireless Switch, WGL102 ProSafe 802.11g Light WAP, WAGL102 ProSafe Dual Band Light WAP, eight-port GS108T Gigabit Ethernet Smart Switch, 24-port GS724TP Smart PoE Switch, and a monstrous 48-port GS748TP Smart PoE Switch to finish things off. As if that wasn't enough to digest, Netgear is also partnering up with Avaya to provide "an IP telephony solution for small businesses with 20 users or less." The newfangled lineups will be available at varying times and prices, so be sure to visit the read link for specifics on each individual model.[Via SmallNetBuilder]
OWC crams 2TB into Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual RAID HDD
Nearly two years ago we all stood in awe of OWC's 1TB Mercury Elite Pro Aluminum Dual RAID, and just a few days after the company announced its multifaceted Quad Interface variety, now its upping the ante again. The 2TB edition of the external HDD presumably packs a pair of Hitachi's 7K1000 drives into an enclosure no bigger than any other twin-stuffed unit, and provides data transfer rates of over 80Mbps. The RAID 0 array is reportedly "designed to meet the performance demands of video and audio production," and while it's not exactly implied, to put a solid dent in your wallet as well. The drive connects up via USB 2.0 or FireWire 400 / 800, and can be snapped up now if you're willing to hand over $1,099.99.[Via MacMinute]
TrekStor MovieStation maxi t.u media-centric hard drive
We know, no one likes paying extra for those built-in backup features that you reckon are just as easily handled by your own diligence, but TrekStor's latest external hard drive boasts even more fanciness for your hard-earned buck. Aside from coming bundled with Nero's BackItUp2 Essentials, the dashing aluminum drive packs an infrared remote, AV adapter, USB 2.0 connectivity, and a front-panel full of media-centric playback controls for times when the remote mysteriously vanishes. The unit was designed to capture your video files, pictures, and other multimedia, and then plug right in to any television for instant, painless viewing / listening. Additionally, it plays nice with OS X, Linux, and nearly every flavor of Windows, and handles MPEG1/2/4, AVI, DivX, XviD, MP3, WMA, WAV, and OGG file formats all on its own. HD freaks aren't forgotten either, as 720p / 1080i is also in the cards thanks to its component output capabilities, and the optical digital audio output can even pipe surround sound from the HDD to your AV system. The MovieStation maxi t.u comes in 250GB, 320GB, 400GB, and half terabyte sizes, but unfortunately, no pricing deets were readily available just yet. [Warning: PDF read link][Via SvartLinks]
Western Digital gets NASty with My Book World Edition HDDs
Western Digital is at it again with its My Book lineup of HDDs, but rather than bumping the storage capacity from the already roomy (albeit bulky) 1TB Pro II Edition, WD is adding an Ethernet port for remote access ability. The My Book World Edition II sports a shiny white finish and touts 1TB of storage, RAID 1 capability, a USB 2.0 port for stringing on more external drives, and the obligatory gigabit Ethernet jack to boot. Additionally, this device pays a bit more attention to detail by offering up a "unique capacity gauge LED that allows users to discern at a glance remaining storage space," but the real story is its ability to be accessed from any internet connection as a standalone device. Essentially becoming a NAS drive at heart via the included Anywhere Access software, this Book also includes Data OnHand software which makes the drive active in Windows Explorer regardless of your location, and boasts the ability to let friends and family access / upload files without having to actually be near the drive. Notably, the My Book World Edition II is deemed "user-serviceable," and should be available by the week's end for $499, but if you're interested in the half-sized 500GB My Book World Edition, you can snag it for just $279.[Via Yahoo, thanks Steve]
