Events

QNAP Announces Two High-End NAS Units

Jim McCarthy

May 14, 2012

QNAP announced two new 16-drive NAS units aimed at high-end SMB’s today. We have the details.

QNAP announced two high-end 16 bay NAS units today, aimed squarely at the high-end SMB and entry-level datacenter. The models are TS-EC1679U-RP and TS-1679U-RP and are available to ship right now. Here is the press release from QNAP:

QNAP Targets the High-end SMBs with Two 16-Drive Turbo NAS Models Featuring the Intel Xeon Processor and the Intel Core i3 Processors, 10GbE Networking Option, and Ultra Reliable Chassis Design

Taipei, Taiwan, May 14, 2012 – QNAP® Systems, Inc. today announced its new additions for the high-end SMB market segment with two 16-drive 3U rackmount Turbo NAS models with up to 64TB storage capacity using 4 TB drives. The TS-EC1679U-RP and TS-1679U-RP, powered by the Intel® Xeon® processor and the Intel® Core™ i3 processor respectively, are the highest capacity and highest performing NAS products ever developed by QNAP. Both models feature optional 10GbE networking and 6Gb/sec SATA interfaces, achieving incredible 2,000 MB/sec and 200,000 IOPS throughput; delivering sustained ultra-high performance suitable for demanding data center & high-end SMB environments. The new models feature cable-less disk drive backplanes, hot-swappable power supply, and cooling fan modules for maximum reliability and uptime.

The new models can simultaneously provide storage solutions for IP-SAN (iSCSI) and NAS implementations and are VMware® Ready™, Citrix® Ready™, and Windows® Hyper-V™ compliant, making them ideal for providing network shared storage for virtual server environments. These two new models are designed with cable-less backplanes connecting drives to the controller board seamlessly, significantly reducing failure points. The hot-swappable fan module and cooling ducting/heat exchange simplify data center installations. Hardware security is enhanced with intrusion detection, which generates a log entry and alerts the administrators when the chassis is opened.

“QNAP is making a foray into the data center with these two new Turbo NAS models which deliver stunning 2,000 MB/sec and 200,000 IOPS performance,” said Meiji Chang, general manager of QNAP Systems, Inc. “Performance is only part of the equation though, the new models also raise the bar on reliability and uptime by reducing failure points and maximizing redundancy in critical components so the system administrators have peace of mind they made the right choice for their networked storage.”

The new series supports RAID 0, 1, 10, 5, 6, 5+ hot spare, 6+ hot spare, 10+ hot spare, single-disk, JBOD, and the Global Hot Spare allowing a spare drive to flexibly replace a failed drive on any RAID volume on the NAS for automatic RAID data rebuilding. The large capacity of the new units also provide an ideal solution for network-wide backups, file sharing in mixed Windows®, Mac®, Linux, and UNIX environments, private cloud storage, and high-performance computing applications such as high definition video editing.

“The rapid growth of data and the demanding requirements for efficiency and reliability require high performance network attached storage (NAS) solutions. Intel® Xeon® processors are energy efficient without sacrificing performance and provide increased data protection by supporting enhanced error handling capabilities” said David Tuhy, General Manager, Intel Storage Group. “Intel technology powers a broad range of innovative solutions to ensure business continuity, including the Intel® Core™ i3 processor family for entry level data storage solutions.”

Key Specs of New Models

TS-EC1679U-RP – 16-drive 3U rackmount unit, Quad-core Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1225 (3.1 GHz), DDR3 ECC RAM, 600W redundant power supply, 2X expansion slots for storage expansion and network expansion, 4X Gigabit LAN ports (several expansion options for Gigabit + 10GbE networking);

TS-1679U-RP – 16-drive 2U rackmount unit, Dual-core Intel® Core™ i3-2120 Processor (3.3 GHz), DDR3 RAM, 600W redundant power supply, 2X expansion slots for storage expansion and network expansion, 4X Gigabit LAN ports (several expansion options for Gigabit + 10GbE networking).

Both new models ship with QNAP’s renowned NAS management software and provide a broad range of secure and robust business-ready applications, including sophisticated user privilege design, Windows AD integration, LDAP server and client implementation, well-rounded backup solutions, seamless cross-platform file sharing, and much more.

Adobe releases Adobe Collage app for Android; iOS coming soon

Android

Digital Home

News

Andrew Edney
-

May 14, 2012
0

Adobe has released a new app called Adobe Collage which lets you assemble moodboards combining images, drawings, and text.

Adobe Collage lets you capture and refine concepts by combining inspirational images, drawings, text, and files from select Adobe Creative Suite components into modern, conceptual moodboards. Upload your files to Adobe Creative Cloud to refine later or share with others.

• Create modern moodboards with mixed media.
• Import PDF, PSD, and AI files.
• Search and import content from Google and Flickr.
• Use the growable canvas to add assets as needed.
• Draw with multiple pen types.
• Add text with a variety of fonts.
• Leverage existing content library in Adobe Creative Cloud to refine further in Photoshop.

The Adobe Collage app costs £6.99 and is available now from Google Play.

We will let you know when the iOS version is released.

Adobe launch Adobe Muse to help designers create websites without writing code

Digital Home

News

Andrew Edney
-

May 14, 2012
0

Adobe Systems also recently announced the immediate availability of Adobe Muse software that enables designers to create websites without writing code.

Previously available as a public beta, Adobe Muse makes planning, designing and publishing original HTML pages as easy as creating layouts for print. With master pages, built-in tools for interactivity, and access to more than 400 Web fonts served by the Adobe Typekit service, Adobe Muse makes it easy to produce distinctive, professional websites.

Adobe Muse is available as a standalone subscription or as part of Adobe Creative Cloud membership, a new offering also available today that provides creatives access to innovative storage services, publishing services and essential creative applications, including the entire award-winning Adobe Creative Suite 6 product line (see separate release).

Adobe Muse will feel immediately familiar as it has some of the same features and keyboard shortcuts found in other software, like Adobe InDesign. Adobe Muse allows designers to easily add engaging, interactive elements such as slide shows and embed content from sources such as Google Maps and Facebook**. Users can preview and test functionality of a website within Adobe Muse or create a temporary site and share the URL with clients for review. When the site is ready to go live, designers can either host it using a third-party solution or use Adobe’s flexible all-in-one hosting service. An Adobe Muse one-year subscription or Creative Cloud membership also includes some site hosting.

“There have been more than 700,000 beta downloads of Adobe Muse to date. We have incorporated feedback from our beta users into the first release of Muse and the response has been very positive,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president, Digital Media Business, Adobe. “Adobe Muse gives designers the freedom to build sites without having to learn code, which will help them expand their businesses and offer their clients more cost effective, professional websites.”

Pricing and Availability
Adobe Muse is available for individuals at £11.11 (ex VAT) per month with an annual subscription and £15.08 (ex VAT) per month for month-to-month subscription. For more information, visit www.adobe.com/uk/products/muse.html. Adobe Muse is also available as part of Adobe Creative Cloud membership*, which for individuals membership for individuals is £38.11 (ex VAT) per month based on annual membership and £57.17 (ex VAT) per month for month-to-month membership. A special introductory offer of £22.23 (ex VAT) per month for CS3, CS4, CS5 and CS5.5 individual customers is also available. Learn more at www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativecloud.html.

Adobe announces availability of Adobe Creative Cloud

Digital Home

News

Andrew Edney
-

May 14, 2012
0

Adobe Systems have announced the immediate availability of Adobe Creative Cloud, a radical new way of providing tools and services for creatives.

A subscription-based offering, Adobe Creative Cloud is a hub for making, sharing and delivering creative work and it is centred around a powerful release of Adobe Creative Suite 6 software, packed with innovation across its industry-defining design, Web, video and digital imaging tools. The CS6 product line includes new releases of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects Flash Professional and other products.

In addition, two new Touch Apps – Adobe Proto and Adobe Collage – are now available for iOS devices, as are new features and additional language support in both Photoshop Touch and Adobe Ideas. Emerging from a successful beta program, that saw over 700,000 downloads, Adobe Muse software also became available today to Creative Cloud members and individual subscribers. Muse is a stunning new tool that enables designers to create HTML5-based websites without writing code (see separate release).

“Adobe Creative Cloud members receive full access to the entire portfolio of Creative Suite 6 tools, integration with our touch tools, file storage and sharing services and Web hosting – everything they need to go from idea to finished work, at a breakthrough monthly subscription price,“ said David Wadhwani, senior vice president, Digital Media Business, Adobe. “Creative Cloud will allow our product teams to unleash a constant stream of innovation, releasing new features, apps and services as they are developed.”

Adobe Creative Cloud Membership Delivers:

· Access to download and install all CS6 applications, new HTML5 desktop products – Adobe Muse and Adobe Edge preview – and integration with Adobe Touch Apps

· Easy storage and sharing of content across desktop, mobile devices and the cloud

· Integrated website publishing and hosting

· Ongoing innovation that provides members with the most up-to-date products and services

Pricing and Availability

Adobe Creative Cloud membership is available today to customers in 36 countries and in multiple languages. Pricing for Creative Cloud membership for individuals is £38.11 (ex VAT) per month based on annual membership and £57.17 (ex VAT) per month for month-to-month membership. A special introductory offer of £22.23 (ex VAT) per month for CS3, CS4, CS5 and CS5.5 individual customers is also available. Student and Teacher Edition of Adobe Creative Cloud is available for £18.26 (ex VAT) per month based on annual membership. To learn more, please visit www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativecloud.html.

Plex warn not to upgrade to Mac OS X 10.7.4

Apple

Digital Home

News

Andrew Edney
-

May 14, 2012
0

Plex have warned people not to upgrade to Mac OS X 10.7.4 if they run the Plex client.

Plex tweeted that there appears that Apple have introduced audio issues with the update and so they recommend sticking with 10.7.3.

There are no specifics on what those issues are or when Plex expect to have them fixed, so watch this space!

Official LinkedIn app for Windows Phone now available

Microsoft

News

Andrew Edney
-

May 14, 2012
0

The official LinkedIn app for Windows Phone has been launched.

Get on-the-go access to your professional network with LinkedIn for Windows Phone. Find and connect with more than 150M members worldwide, read the latest industry news, keep up-to-date with your groups, explore jobs you might be interested in, and share content with your network from anywhere.
Download now from the Windows Marketplace

The Digital Lifestyle Show 353 Live From China and London

Microsoft

News

Andrew Edney
-

May 13, 2012
0

This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – and it’s show 353.

Here’s what Ian says about this week show:

Better late than never, a special show for you this week, while I was away in China Garry and Andrew where at a press event in London. So Garry took over the show and record with Andrew from the press event while I Skyped in from Shanghai.

You can listen to or download the show from here.

Review of the SteelSeries Diablo III Mouse

Gadgets

Gaming

Reviews

Tech

Andrew Edney
-

May 13, 2012
1

With the global launch of Diablo III less than 48 hours away, why not get yourself a Diablo III mouse from SteelSeries so that you are all ready to go? We got one and here is our review. And with Diablo V accounts being available soon.

This is how SteelSeries describes the Diablo III mouse:

The fast-paced, dark fantasy world of Diablo III features high-velocity gameplay that benefits from quick response times and a weapon that will withstand the punishment of rapid clicks. The SteelSeries Diablo III Mouse features a laser sensor with up to 5,000 CPI, 7 ergonomically positioned buttons that can survive relentless punishment with a guaranteed lifespan of 10 million clicks – more than 3x the click lifespan of an average mouse. The mouse’s ambidextrous shape and comfortable matte grip coating makes it a versatile option for all gaming grip styles.

In true Diablo III style, the SteelSeries mouse is enhanced with “demon red” illumination in 3 areas on the mouse – the scroll wheel, CPI Indicator, and Diablo III logo. You can also customize the logo with ON/OFF illumination and 3 levels of pulsation. While the mouse hardware was built for battle, including the double-braided nylon cord and gold-plated USB connection, the software and setting capabilities are easy to navigate through preloaded, SteelSeries Engine software. Compatible with both Mac and PC, the software offers players a drag and drop Diablo III-themed interface with pre-defined skills and game commands. All 7 mouse buttons can also be quickly remapped for a personalized set-up.

Who are SteelSeries?

From their website:

From day one, SteelSeries has been focused on making high performance gaming gear used by the most demanding, top professional gamers worldwide and peripherals that provide superior quality and a competitive edge to gamers of all skill levels. We believe, as most gamers do, in winning, not trying!

What originally began with two people who recognized the need for superior, high-quality/performance gaming gear that would give gamers a competitive edge, has grown into a global leader in gaming and entertainment gear sought after for their high performance capabilities.

Fast-forward to today, and we’ve come a long way since our first glass mousepad. We have global offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, providing an integrated portfolio of products designed specifically for gaming. Fueling our growth is you, the gamer!

While we are proud of our technology and product innovation, we are even more excited about how these products are developed to meet the needs of gamers. Many companies may claim to develop superior gaming products but few actually do. Instead, they spend countless hours with lab engineers trying to force fit a new technology with bells and whistles and mediocre functionality for the end-user.

At SteelSeries, we develop our products with a small internal team and a vast network of technology partners, channel partners, game publishers, and gaming communities around the globe. We aren’t afraid of being challenged and implementing new ideas. Our main goal is to always to listen to the collective feedback of our professional gaming community.

What’s in the Box?

The box, which looks very good, contains the mouse and a manual.

A Closer Look

The Diablo III logo lights up (but more on that shortly), and there are 7 different buttons on it.



Review of the ReTrak Retractable 70W Universal Notebook Wall Charger with Thin Charger Design

Gadgets

Reviews

Tech

Andrew Edney
-

May 13, 2012
0

If you carry your notebook or laptop around with you a lot you might want to consider swapping the power brick that comes with it for a smaller, lightweight charger. That’s were the ReTrak Retractable 70W Universal Notebook Wall Charger with Thin Charger Design comes in, and here is our review.

The ReTrak retractable Universal Notebook Charger is a great replacement or upgrade for almost any notebook computer. The retractable cable is great for people on the move or those with limited space as there is no extra power brick. The unique and ultra portbale deign is great for travel yet easily expands to the desired length without the clutter of unwanted cable.

Specifications

• Fits most laptops – standard 70 Watts
• 9 different adapter tips fit almost any Notebook
• Durable housing and high-quality spring
• Thin Plug design – World’s smallest UK plug – winner of the Red Dot design award
• Rapid Charge
• 1.83 m total expanded length
• Carry bag included for cables, tips and charger

Compatibility

Over 7000 laptops including:
• Acer
• Asus
• Compaq
• Dell
• HP
• Lenovo
• Samsung
• Sony
• Toshiba
• and more

What’s in the Box?

Retractable 70W Universal Notebook Wall Charger with Thin Charger Design

9 different adapter tips

1 Retractable Power Cable

Carry bag included for cables, tips and charger



A Closer Look

There are 9 tips included, 8 on a block and a single one.

The retractable cable had a connector on one end to plug into the wall charger.



And the other end is where you connect the required tip.

The wall charger is small and one of the power prongs can be moved to make it easier to carry.



Final Thoughts

It is lightweight, small, and both the wall charger folds up and the cable remains wound until you unwind it. The cable itself is 1.83m in length and felt very durable.

There are 9 tips included so you should find one that works with your laptop or notebook.

One thing I didn’t like was that there was no guide included with the pack. Most laptops from a specific company are likely to use the same tip, so including a small note that says “the green tip works with X brand” would have been better than having to check all 9 tips against the end of the current power brick, but it isn’t a huge dilemma!

The charger worked very well, although charging was a little slower than some of the “original” power bricks, but to be fair it’s a lot smaller and lighter than the original ones I testing it against, so I can certainly live with it being a little slower.

The retractable cable worked very well, it’s something that small portable mice have been using for a while now, so I was quite comfortable using it. If this is the first time you have used something like this then you might want to be careful until you are used to it so as not to break it.

The inclusion of a carrying back was a good idea so that you can keep everything all together.

Cost wise, it sells for £49.99, but as usual, look around online for the best deal available.

This is a nice bit of kit that should be in everyone’s bag, or even used at home instead of the original large brick!

Learn more from the ReTrak website

Review of the Aleratec 1:3 HDD Copy Dock Duplicator

Reviews

Storage & NAS

Tech

Andrew Edney
-

May 13, 2012
0

Back in March we told you about the new Aleratec 1:3 HDD Copy Dock Duplicator, and we have been using one for a while, so it’s time for our review.

This is how Aleratec describe themselves:

Aleratec is a leading developer and manufacturer of “Prosumers’ Choice” solutions for the USB, HDD, Blu-ray, DVD/CD duplicating, publishing, recording, and digital imaging markets. Formerly known as Alera Technologies, Aleratec continues to set a higher standard in the industry by offering professional strength solutions at consumer prices.

Headquartered in Southern California, Aleratec’s exceptionally-skilled team of trained professionals has designed user-friendly, high-performance hardware along with intuitive software to assist corporations of any size with all their media technology needs. From copy cruisers to flash drive duplicators, Aleratec’s comprehensive line of innovative products enable businesses to cut costs, streamline workflow and increase revenues.

As pioneers in the CD recording industry, Aleratec is recognized worldwide as technology leaders with extraordinary on-target vision. Paving the way for the future of modern technology, they have envied marketing and sales track records which have consistently outperformed industry giants.

For years, Aleratec has served as a leading provider of disc duplicating and publishing solutions for specialized markets including government agencies, educational facilities, houses of worship and audio recording professionals.

Here is how Aleratec describe the 1:3 HDD Copy Dock Duplicator:

The 1:3 HDD Copy Dock Duplicator is both a powerful HDD duplicator and a versatile HDD docking station in one lightweight, portable device.

This essential tool for building, upgrading and backing up computer systems requires no computer to run, eliminating the need to tie up a computer for hours running complex software to duplicate hard disk drives.

Docking bays can be controlled by individual power buttons. An LCD screen and easy-to-use controls make this duplicator simple to manage. It creates fast sector-by-sector copies that include partition and boot sector information, resulting in perfect clones and backups.

Connecting the 1:3 HDD Copy Dock Duplicator to a computer via USB 3.0 or eSATA gives instant access to up to four hard disk drives at a time.

Specifications

Sector-by-sector stand-alone hard diskdrive cloning

Four hard drive dock access via USB 3.0or eSATA cable (both included)

LCD screen and controls

Supports both 2.5” and 3.5” SATA hard disk drives

Supports Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Mac OS10.3 or later, Linux

Product Dimensions (LxWxH)201 x 210 x 120.3mm / 7.9 x 8.3 x 4.7 in

Take a look at the short video below:

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