We liked the original Iomega StorCenter ix2 back when we reviewed it roughly twelve months ago, but the rest of the home NAS market has advanced in the intervening period and the ix2 is looking a little stale. To address that fact, Iomega have launched the StorCenter ix2-200, their second-gen version of the dual-drive backup station, now boasting removable storage and more. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.
Of all the tech in my home one of the devices that I just can’t live without is my DVR. Even my kids are hooked; they can’t understand why you can’t fast-forward every show that comes on TV. I have two DVRs in my house and what I would really like is a single DVR that can play on any TV in my home.
Most digital libraries flourishing and ubiquitous connectivity spreading, having access to our personal data and media wherever we are is looking all the more appealing. NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices have had the ability to share via broadband for years, but most owners don’t take advantage of it; into the mixture steps Seagate, whose new FreeAgent DockStar takes the company’s FreeAgent Go USB hard-drive and makes remotely sharing its content incredibly easy. Obvious addition to every home network, or is there a sting in the tail? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.
It’s been a long time since we reviewed Iomega’s original StorCenter ix2 NAS, and the company have finally got around to updating the dual-drive consumer/small-office backup and media-sharing system. The Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 keeps the compact footprint of its predecessor but boosts capacity – 1TB, 2TB and 4TB models are on offer – upgrade potential and green credentials.
Unlike the ix2, the ix2-200 has twin user-accessible drive bays, and they’re filled with low-power drives that are automatically spun-down when not in use. The StorCenter also has DLNA media streaming, RAID 1 drive spanning for improved data security, three USB ports for plugging in external drives or webcams, and optional Bluetooth for wirelessly transferring files from mobile devices.
Novatel Wireless have announced the first round of applications which will be offered on its MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, including photo uploads, NAS-style network drive functionality, and VPN support. The apps – which are produced by developer partners Eye-Fi, Nomadesk and Alcatel-Lucent respectively – will run on the applications processor found in the European MiFi 2352 (which we reviewed back in June) and the MiFi 2372 which will offer AT&T and Rogers Wireless HSPA.
Networked media players are, if not quite ten-a-penny, then at least increasingly common these days, so it takes more than an ethernet port and an HDMI output to impress us. QNAP are hoping their NMP-1000 will do just that, however, thanks to its onboard 3.5-inch hard-drive (up to 2TB), Full HD 1080p output, YouTube and Flickr support, automatic NAS backup functionality and UPnP streaming.
Video overview after the cut
Netgear have unveiled their latest home storage device, the Stora, which the company is positioning not only as a NAS backup but as a media-sharing hub. The Netgear Stora takes two 3.5-inch SATA drives and connects via gigabit ethernet; there are also two USB 2.0 ports for sharing printers or plugging in external drives. What makes it special, though, is its social network and device integration.
Details and fuzzy live shots of ASUS’ upcoming Home Server have leaked, and while there’s no official word from the company themselves this looks like the kind of compact storage we would happily find space for on our bookshelves. The 9.6 x 3.8 x 8 inch ASUS Home Server TS mini packs twin 3.5-inch hard-drives together with a fulsome six USB 2.0 ports and two eSATA ports.
LG have announced a new NAS (network-attached storage) which rather than positioning as a computer peripheral are instead suggesting would make a great place to back up multimedia files. The LG N2R1 packs up to 2TB of storage and RAID data redundancy, and can function as a DLNA or iTunes media server in addition to backing up your family photos, videos of grandparents falling off chairs and other priceless clips.
If only this were a desktop microwave-cum-coffee-machine, ideal for topping up your caffeine levels and heating up your harried lunches, but sadly it’s just Iomega’s latest NAS. The Iomega StorCenter ix4-200d squeezes four SATA-II 3.5-inch drive bays into a reasonably compact footprint, promising RAID 5, 10 or JBOD setups and up to 8TB of standard storage.
JP
