What is Windows Home Server?

CES 2012 – Samsung Announce New Smart LED and Plasma TVs

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

CES 2012 – Samsung Announce New Smart LED and Plasma TVs

Today at CES, Samsung announced some new Smart LED and Plasma TVs.

Today at CES, Samsung, the UK’s number one TV brand with the most awarded TV range unveiled new innovations in its latest LED and Plasma Smart TV series that will redefine the way consumers manage their home entertainment experience, interact with their Smart TVs and other devices and access the industry’s broadest range of content. The new Smart TVs include:

•    Smart Interaction – Launch and use apps more easily through Motion Control, Voice Control and Face Recognition
•    Smart Content – Share photos, memories and memos with family from the TV to the cloud to smart devices, manage your own health directly from the TV, and access educational content for kids. The industry’s broadest offering of movies, TV shows and streaming videos can be enjoyed via Samsung Apps, the industry’s preferred TV apps platform
•    Smart Evolution – Select Samsung TVs in 2012 will allow consumers to enjoy new experiences as their TV is reborn each year with the newest smart technology via installing kits

Samsung’s flagship LED ES8000 and Plasma E8000 series Smart TVs, along with the ES7500 and ES6800 series of Smart LED TVs, received CES 2012 Innovations Design and Engineering Awards. Samsung will showcase its new TVs at the 2012 International CES, booth #12004, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Centre (LVCC), from January 10-13, 2012.

Robert King, Head of Consumer Electronics, Samsung UK and Ireland, said: “In this era of smart entertainment, consumers are changing the way they want to be entertained and how they choose to access this content. Our research shows that consumer interest in Smart TV is at 81% so Samsung is redefining what a TV can do so people can use more intuitive ways to control their entertainment experiences, maintain closer contact to people that are important to them, and easily manage and share content across multiple screens.”

Intuitive controls for the most easy-to-enjoy content experience
Samsung’s premium 2012 Smart TVs will feature Samsung’s Smart Interaction technology – an intuitive platform that uses Motion Control, Voice Control and Face Recognition commands for the TV. Smart Interaction complements the remote and seeks to offer users greater choice and convenience in how they control their home entertainment experience.

For example, users can turn the TV on or off, activate selected apps, or search for content in the web browser simply by speaking in any of the 20 to 30 languages that are supported by the technology. With a wave of their hand, they can browse and choose a link or content via the web browser. The built-in camera recognises movement in the foreground, and two unidirectional array microphones recognise voice at an incredibly accurate rate. Noise cancellation technology helps separate any background noise from the users’ commands.

Samsung’s 2012 range of Smart LED and Plasma TVs also support connectivity with select wireless keyboards and mice, making it more convenient than ever to access and navigate content.

Samsung Smart TVs get even smarter and closer to the family
Samsung Smart TV now brings the family back to the living room. The new TVs embrace the promise of a multi-screen world by allowing users to do more with their TV through Samsung’s new suite of exclusive services, the first of its kind in the industry:
•    Family Story’s album lets users organise photos and enjoy slide shows on the big screen. Family members can also share memos and reminders anywhere they are via the phone, tablet, PC or TV
•    Fitness allows users to connect their Samsung TV to a Samsung smartphone via a mobile Fitness app. They can also connect to a WiFi-enabled scale to manage their weight goals and use the TV’s built-in camera to create a virtual mirror to monitor their exercise routines
•    Kids offers a wealth of infotainment and games in a kid-friendly interface that parents and control and monitor

Samsung’s premium Smart TVs, including the ES8000 LED TV and E8000 Plasma TV, are powered by a new dual-core processor to enable multi-tasking, so apps no longer need to be exited and relaunched.

Searching for movies, browsing the Internet, downloading apps via Samsung Apps, accessing Video on Demand content or chatting with friends has never been more convenient. Samsung’s Smart Hub user interface has also been redesigned for faster performance and improved convenience with a cleaner, more intuitive interface in Full HD. With a tabbed web browser, users can open multiple pages at a time, while the new Content Bar remembers recent activities for easy access to content.

Video fans will have even more reason to celebrate in 2012. With over 1,400 apps globally, Samsung Apps has established itself as the industry’s leading TV apps platform, with the broadest range of video content from leading brands.

Samsung’s new AllShare Play marks an evolution of its AllShare feature. AllShare Play allows users to upload and share multimedia content with AllShare Play compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras and computers.

Future proofing your TV with Smart Evolution

Select 2012 Samsung Smart TV will be “future proof” for years to come. Thanks to its proprietary system-on-chip technology, Samsung is the only company that can deliver an evolving TV, which allows you to easily enjoy the benefits of the latest TV technology year after year without purchasing a brand new set. With a simple slot-in to the back of TV, Samsung’s Evolution Kit will bring the latest and greatest TV technology to life.

Samsung LED TVs deliver crystal clear picture quality with innovation design
Samsung’s 2012 range of Smart Full HD LED TVs continue to raise the bar in picture quality. Whether users are viewing a detailed shot from a camera or seeing incredible 3D depth, images are breathtakingly real with detailed contrast.

Both the Samsung ES8000 Smart LED TV and ES7500 Smart LED TV series offer cutting-edge technologies that deliver clear images in both 2D and 3D. The ES8000’s Micro Dimming Ultimate analyses the picture in hundreds of pieces to optimise the LED backlight and video signal for each piece in real time, by increasing peak whites in areas of lower gradation. This leads to an overall 20 percent increase in brightness and allows home entertainment enthusiasts to enjoy richer colours, brighter pictures and higher contrast ratios. The technology also eliminates the halo effect and image distortion associated with diffused light.

Samsung is taking its minimalist and luxurious design identity further with this year’s Smart LED line. The 0.2 inch ultra-slim bezel design, first introduced in 2011, returns for premium models while the rest of Samsung’s entire LED line will feature a slim 0.5 inch slim bezel. In all cases, consumers enjoy a larger screen size without increasing the overall size of the TV when compared to conventional models.

The ES8000 also sports a new metallic U-shape stand that adds to the sophistication this TV brings to any room. The stand’s unique, minimalistic design belies its sturdiness and stability. Together, the TV and stand form a harmonious composition of straight lines and curves, appearing as a timeless objet d’art.

Samsung also offers an optional ultra slim wall-mount so that users can show off the TV’s slim form factor by hanging it like a picture frame on the wall.

Samsung’s best Plasma yet – form meets function without compromise
Samsung’s E80000 Smart Plasma TV combines a new black bezel design with enhanced display technologies for the most exceptional Plasma TV Samsung has ever created.

The E8000 sports a slim 1.5-inch profile and Samsung’s Plasma +1 ultra-slim bezel design, which reduces the gap between the bezel and screen content, yielding more screen real estate without increasing the size of the TV. The bezel is a new titan black metal colour with a transparent crystal-like border, resulting in a more immersive entertainment experience than ever before.

Users will experience some of the deepest black levels ever achieved on a Samsung TV, thanks to the E8000’s innovative Real Black Pro Panel. The new panel combines advancements in the structure of the plasma panel with software improvements, yielding blacker blacks, bolder colours, higher contrast, and exceptional picture quality. This technological improvement improves black levels by 10%, creating an incredible cinematic viewing experience.

As with the ES8000 Smart LED TV, the E8000 includes Smart Plasma TV features 3D, Smart Interaction and a dual-core processor for multitasking.

All Samsung 2012 TVs are compliant with the Energy Star® 5.1 guidelines.

CES 2012 – Samsung Apps Milestones

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Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

0

Today at CES Samsung, the UK’s number one TV brand with the most awarded TV range, announces new milestones for its Smart TV platform, Samsung Apps, as well as new apps and services that deliver even richer entertainment options for the largest screen in the home.

With more than 1,400 apps available and average daily downloads of 50,000 worldwide, Samsung Apps has become the Smart TV platform of choice for application developers and premium content brands.

Consumers have increasingly turned to their TVs for streaming video content, as well as for apps that offer interactive and customised content that cater for their passion for music, sports, fitness, social networking or news.

Globally Samsung expects to hit 15 million app downloads by January 2012, a 50 per cent increase from its previous milestone of 10 million, set in October 2011.

Robert King, Head of Consumer Electronics at Samsung UK, said, “With over 80% of consumers interested in Smart TV, there is a growing need to extend the availability of content and apps to other screens in the home. Samsung’s connected ecosystem, including Smart TV’s, Smartphones, Smart Cameras and even Smart Appliances can meet this need, while our platform has evolved dramatically in 2012 to further enhance the experience.”

Simple, Intuitive Interface for Samsung Smart Hub
Samsung has redesigned its Smart Hub user interface to offer a much more intuitive experience. The new Smart Hub is in full HD and is streamlined to offer users a more intuitive way to search and discover content via Smart Interactions. Consumers can navigate the interface using Voice Control, Motion Control and Face Recognition for a seamless experience never before available on a TV.
The new Smart Hub also offers true multi-tasking capabilities – users can switch between web pages thanks to a new tabbed web browser, toggle between apps and download multiple apps simultaneously.

In addition, Samsung’s new AllShare Play allows content to be shared across DLNA-certified devices. AllShare Play offers web storage so users can upload and share multimedia content between devices such as TVs, cameras, smartphones, laptops and PCs, regardless of where they are in the world.

Rich Content and Signature Services that Push the Boundaries of HomeEntertainment
To help bring the family back together in the living room, Samsung is launching several first-of-its-kind signature services that redefine what the TV can do for consumers.

Samsung’s Family Story allows families to share content through cloud-based storage. Family members can share photos, create slide shows, post memos and schedule events. They can access this content in and outside the home through their smartphones, tablets, PCs and Samsung Smart TVs. Device compatibility will also be expanded to include LCD refrigerators and digital cameras in the future. Family members can also share photos in real-time by pushing photos to each member’s TV screen through a ‘live chat’ feature, so keeping in touch with families has become much easier no matter where loved ones are.

Fitness helps users track their fitness progress through indoor and outdoor activities in a more organised way. In addition to a diverse range of fitness content, users can connect their Samsung smartphone to their Smart TV using a mobile fitness app. They can also connect a Withings WiFi scale to their Samsung Smart TVs to help them track and monitor their weight progress. With selected apps, the TV’s built-in camera will create a virtual mirror so users they can check their exercise poses against the instructor.

Families can also access a variety of educational video-on-demand content through Kids, which includes a feature where parents can reward their children with stickers and monitor their TV time.

CES 2012 – Samsung Announces Notebook Series 5 Ultrabook

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Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

4

CES 2012 – Samsung Announces Notebook Series 5 Ultrabook

Today at CES, Samsung, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced the new Samsung Notebook Series 5 Ultrabook which delivers performance beyond all expectations for a thin and light notebook.

The Series 5 Ultrabook™ is powered by a 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor; combined with an ExpressCache™ system by Diskeeper and a powerful AMD Radeon™ HD graphics card, to ensure it delivers incredible experiences from its thin and light form factor.

Neil Sawyer, Head of IT Marketing for Samsung UK & Ireland, said, “Based on in-depth market research and consumer surveys, we propose a new type of Ultrabook™ which will change the perception of Ultrabooks™ among consumers. Our findings indicate that consumers demand much more than just a thin and light notebook; they want better performance and user storage on a daily basis, as digital files are becoming larger. The Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook™ will be the first to answer these needs. The heavily competitive and fast changing media environment demands for a device that will meet these requirements and that is why we present the Series 5 Ultrabook™.”

Unleash Ultra Features

Available in 13” and 14”, the Series 5 Ultrabook™ reveals its performance through an Intel® Core™ i5-2467M processor, up to 8GB memory, ExpressCache™ system by Diskeeper and AMD Radeon™ HD graphics card. As a result, the Series 5 Ultrabook™ is able to fast boot in just 20 seconds, wake up in 2 seconds, whilst web browsing is twice as fast as the previous generation notebook PCs.

Performance is nothing without space to store data and due to the development of digital image devices and various media platforms, files are getting larger, increasing the need for bigger user storage. Despite the recent trend of cloud storage, local storage is still preferred among users. To meet these needs the Series 5 Ultrabook™ 14” offers up to 1TB storage capacity ensuring that users never need to carry a peripheral storage device with them.

The performance has been further enhanced by the extended battery life. The Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook™ delivers up to 6.4 hours of battery life on a single charge. The Samsung Battery Life Plus is a true anti-aging battery technology, which keeps 80% of the cell’s original capacity in a life cycle lasting up to 1,500 charging cycles or three years.

Ultrabook of your choice

To meet the concept of being the true companion of consumers, the Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook™ will be offered in 13” and 14”. To ensure ease-of-use while on the move, the Series 5 Ultra 13” is just 14-17.6mm thin and 1.38kg light. The Intel® Core™ i5 processor, up to 8GB memory, up to 500GB storage and 16GB iSSD with ExpressCache™ ensures that performance on-the-go is not compromised. Consumers can also choose from a 128GB SSD or 258GB SSD as their preferred storage. To offer maximum connection to other devices, the 13” model also carries a full-size HDMI port along with one USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, a 4-in-1 multi SD card slot, an Ethernet connection and built-in webcam.

The 14” model equipped with Intel® Core™ i5 processor, up to 8GB memory and 16GB iSSD with ExpressCache™ system offers exceptional performance. For larger storage and heightened visual experience, the Series 5 Ultrabook™ k 14” embraces up to 1TB storage as well as an AMD Radeon™ HD7550M 1GB graphics card. An integrated Optical Disc Drive is also installed for maximum convenience. In terms of connectivity, the 14” model offers full-size HDMI, VGA, two USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, a 4-in-1 multi SD card slot, Ethernet and built-in webcam. All the above features are packed into a 20.9mm thin and 1.84kg light chassis.

Both models carry Samsung’s superior LCD technology with 300nit HD LED SuperBright screen, Image Enhancer technology and anti-reflective screen, enabling consumers an ultra viewing experience no matter where they are.

CES 2012 : Samsung Announce 2nd Generation Notebook Series 9

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Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

2

CES 2012 : Samsung Announce 2nd Generation Notebook Series 9

Today at CES Samsung announced the second generation of the Samsung Notebook Series 9. Following the former model’s premiere at the CES 2011, the new Series 9 represents Samsung’s advanced innovative craftsmanship in the premium notebook sector.

Customised for consumers looking for premium quality with great design, the new Series 9 boasts the world’s thinnest and most compact chassis. Its unique design and innovative engineering breaks all common perceptions of premium notebook PCs. Super-slim components are tailor-made for the Series 9 and precision-fitted into the device’s innovative single shell body.

Neil Sawyer, Head of IT Marketing for Samsung UK, said, “The new Samsung Notebook Series 9 represents the ultimate in Samsung craftsmanship towards precision engineering and premium design. The new Series 9 embodies the originality and heritage of its predecessor, but refines the aerodynamic design to increase performance and functionality.”

Craftsmanship meets design

To achieve its premium design aspects without compromising performance or functionality, key components such as the LCD panel, keyboard, motherboard, cables, fans and battery have been customised with precision, to fit into the Series 9’s extra flat single shell body.

With Samsung’s MaxScreen technology, the screen has been implemented with a narrow bezel, which has increased the screen size by up to an inch. The Samsung Series 9 is the world’s thinnest and most compact 15” premium notebook, featuring a vivid 15” display fitted into a stylish 14” chassis. The flat 14.9mm (0.58”) thin design weighs just 1.59kg (3.5 lbs), making the Series 9 ultra-portable. Power and performance are assured with a second generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor and up to 8GB memory and 128GB SSD. The 13” model measures only 12.9mm (0.5”) and weighs just 1.16kg (2.6 lbs). A true revolution in the thin and light sector.

The new Series 9 has a mineral ash finish with contrasting natural matte aluminium sides and the model has also been sand-blasted, to offer a fingerprint resistant surface.

Prestige features and performance

Power and performance are assured with a 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5/i7 processor, 4GB*/8GB memory and 128GB/256GB SSD. Thanks to Samsung Fast Solutions, the new Series 9 boots in just 9.8 seconds, web browsing is 2 times faster and the Fast Start feature ensures that the notebook can achieve a 1.4-second wake-up. The new 15” Series 9 also boasts battery life up to 10 hours.
The 180% brighter HD+ SuperBright Plus screen with anti-reflective display ensures clear vision even outdoors. In addition, the MaxScreen (+1 inch) and wide 160º viewing angle ensures a comfortable viewing experience. The screen and keyboard are auto sensitive meaning they self adjust to match the surrounding light conditions, even in particularly dark or bright environments.

Crafted for ease-of-use

Consumers can enjoy better control of movement by using the Series 9’s large multi-touch clickpad. With a glass coating and image sensor, the clickpad provides a stylish, accurate and convenient way to use the notebook. In addition, the Series 9 has optimised wireless performance that allows consumers to easily connect to the internet, wherever they are.

Setting-up the Series 9 has never been easier. Bypass the Control Panel and optimise its performance with Samsung’s Easy Settings, which provide one-click execution using keyboard shortcuts and minimal steps to adjust simple functions. It also unifies Samsung’s utility software, so the Series 9 will start-up and run faster.

Luxury brand collaboration

Samsung has also teamed up with the Italian luxury brand Valextra to create a customised leather notebook briefcase for the new Series 9, to be shown at CES 2012.

Emanuele Carminati Molina, President of Valextra, said, “As one of the top global brands, we are delighted to collaborate with Samsung to create this luxury notebook briefcase, and we feel it is the perfect finishing touch to embody the sophistication of the Samsung Series 9. The Premium briefcase represents timeless elegance and effortless luxury matching the craftsmanship of the new Series 9.”

CES 2012 : NETGEAR’s N900 Wireless Dual Band USB Adaptor

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Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

0

CES 2012 : NETGEAR’s N900 Wireless Dual Band USB Adaptor

NETGEAR N900 Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter connects your notebook or desktop computer to a wireless network with ultra high speeds and is perfect for demanding applications like streaming HD video, downloading and multi-player gaming.

The WNDA4100 offers outstanding speed and performance demanded by online gamers as well as users who enjoy streaming HD video. Easy setup with the NETGEAR Genie® CD gets you up and running fast, while Push ‘N’ Connect gives you a secured connection at the push of a button.

• Maximum performance—450 + 450 Mbps of Wireless-N speed for HD video streaming, multiple downloads, and online gaming, all at the same time
• Video streaming—Perfect for multiple HD video streams
• Dual band—Twice the bandwidth for better connection and less interference
• Easy setup—NETGEAR Genie® CD with graphical installation guide
• Secured connection—Push ‘N’ Connect offers a secured wireless Internet connection at the push of a button
• Desktop Stand—Provides option for better desktop placement

CES 2012 : NETGEAR’s Powerline 500 Nano and N900 Adapters

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

0

CES 2012 : NETGEAR’s Powerline 500 Nano and N900 Adapters

The Powerline 500 Nano and N900 Video and Gaming WiFi Adapter Deliver Ultra-Fast Network Performance for Home Theater Components and Game Consoles.

LAS VEGAS – January 9, 2012 — NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, today unveiled two products that make it easier than ever to connect Ethernet-enabled gaming and home theater devices to your home network. For consumers who want simple plug-and-play networking for a single device, such as a TV or a game console,

NETGEAR’s new Powerline Nano 500 (XAVB5101) instantly converts a standard electrical wall outlet into a high-speed network connection that easily accommodates the most demanding multimedia tasks. For consumers who want to connect multiple devices in a room – including TVs, a network disk, media players, game consoles, PCs and other Ethernet-enabled devices – NETGEAR’s new N900 Video and Gaming 4-Port WiFi Adapter (WNCE4004) is the perfect device that can simultaneously connect up to four wired devices to your WiFi router at top speed.

Powerline 500 Nano

With best-in-class performance and reliability, NETGEAR’s Powerline 500 Nano converts any electrical outlet in your house into a high speed network connection, instantly. It offers easy, plug-and-play setup and top speeds, all in the smallest form factor available today. The Powerline 500 Nano is perfect for connecting a single device such as game console, Blu-ray™ player, Smart TV, HD set-top box, network DVR, PC, and other devices to the home network router and the Internet. Gamers particularly benefit from Powerline technology because of its exceptionally low latency.

NETGEAR’s Powerline 500 Nano delivers speeds up to 500 Mbps, which easily accommodates HD and 3D HD video streaming, multimedia, multiplayer gaming and other bandwidth intensive tasks. With NETGEAR’s unique “Pick-a-Plug” function, the Powerline 500 Nano automatically tests the connection at any electrical outlet and displays the results in the form of color coded LED lights to ensure that users can pick a specific electrical outlet in order to ensure the highest possible performance.

N900 Video and Gaming 4-port WiFi Adapter

Streaming HD content to Ethernet-enabled devices in your living room can be difficult or even impossible because a wired connection is often unavailable or impractical to install. NETGEAR’s N900 Video and Gaming 4-port WiFi Adapter enables consumers to connect up to four Ethernet-enabled devices at the fastest WiFi speeds available today. The adapter utilizes multiple wireless streams and dual-band technology to support multiple, simultaneous HD video streams in 1080p resolution and fast, low-latency multiplayer gaming. With the N900 WiFi Adapter it is easier than ever to wirelessly stream high resolution entertainment from Internet services like Netflix, Vudu, YouTube and Hulu to virtually any Ethernet-enabled entertainment device in your home.

“Consumers today are connecting a broader array of devices to their networks than ever before –often simultaneously. All of these devices together can hog a lot of bandwidth, thus making a huge demand on the home network,” said David Henry, Vice President of Product Management at NETGEAR. “NETGEAR’s new N900 Video and Gaming WiFi Adapter and Powerline 500 Nano change everything by delivering the bandwidth required to accommodate virtually any task, no matter how many devices are on the network.”

Pricing and Availability NETGEAR Powerline 500 Nano will be available in Q1 2012 for $119.99. The NETGEAR N900 Video and Gaming 4-Port WiFi Adapter will be available in the summer of 2012 for $79.99. Both products will also be available worldwide from major retailers in stores and online.

CES 2012: NETGEAR’s N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit ADSL2+ Modem Router

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Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

0

CES 2012: NETGEAR’s N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit ADSL2+ Modem Router

The NETGEAR N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit ADSL2+ Modem Router is the next ADSL2+ router to be announced at CES.

The NETGEAR N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit ADSL2+ Modem Router offers maximum-performance wireless speeds of up to 450 Mbps needed for demanding applications, such as large file transfers, streaming HD video and multiplayer gaming. Complete with a built-in DSL modem, it is compatible with all major DSL Internet service providers. Simultaneous Dual band technology runs both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands at the same time, ensuring top speeds and the greatest range, while Gigabit offers ultra-fast wired connections. It supports a wide range of premium features and applications such as ReadySHARE® Cloud, ReadySHARE® Printer, and NETGEAR Genie®.
• All-in-one—Built-in ADSL2+ modem and WAN gigabit Ethernet port for cable/fiber combined with a wireless router create an integrated home gateway
• ReadySHARE® Cloud‡—Access and share files on an attached USB hard drive anywhere you have an Internet connection
• ReadySHARE® Printer—Wirelessly print from your Mac® Computer or PC to a connected USB printer
• ReadySHARE® USB—Wirelessly share a USB hard drive with Macs and PCs
• Faster multimedia streaming—Provides up to 450 Mbps wireless speed for streaming HD videos, simultaneous downloads, and online gaming in addition to basic Internet applications.
• Simultaneous Dual Band—Runs both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands concurrently, ensuring top speeds and the greatest range while minimizing interference
• NETGEAR Genie®— Easy setup and dashboard control to manage, monitor and repair home networks
• Ultra-fast wired—Four Gigabit Ethernet ports deliver ultra-fast wired connections for gaming and video
• Live Parental Controls—Keeps your Internet experience safe using flexible and customizable filter settings
• Guest network access—Provides separate security and access restrictions for guests using the network
• Broadband usage meter—Monitors Internet traffic and sends customized reports to help keep costs under control
• Secured connection—Push ‘N’ Connect ensures a quick and secure network connection
• NETGEAR Green features—Power and Wi-Fi on/off buttons and scheduled WiFi on/off to save energy when not in use

CES 2012 : NETGEAR’s Media Storage Router – the WNDR4700

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

0

CES 2012 : NETGEAR’s Media Storage Router – the WNDR4700

Continuing the product launches from NETGEAR here at CES, here is the Media Storage Router, also known as the WNDR4700.

The NETGEAR Media Storage Router combines the best-in-class N900 WiFi router with data and media storage functionality.

Delivering 450 + 450 WiFi speed and ultimate range, it is the ideal backup and storage solution for devices like notebooks, iPads, tablets, smart phones, PCs, and Macs. Easily connect these devices, store and backup your media, and share it across all Internet
enabled devices with incredible speed.

Features

• Simultaneous Dual Band 450+450—Concurrent 802.11n dual band 2.4 and 5 GHz, 450 Mbps on each frequency, with combined speed up to 900 Mbps† for streaming HD and 3DHD videos, simultaneous downloads, and online gaming
• Ultimate Range—Improved for larger homes
• ReadySHARE® Vault—Automated continuous/scheduled backup for your PCs, Mac computers, iPads, tablets, and other devices on your home network
• Time Machine® compatible—Automatic backup for Mac computers
• Integrated hard drive for storage—Customer upgradable internal high performance 2 TB SATA hard drive
• ReadySHARE® Cloud—Access and share files on the integrated or attached USB hard drive anywhere you have an Internet Connection
• Media server—Stream stored media files to DLNA® media player like game consoles, TVs, and networked media players
• ReadySHARE® USB—Wirelessly access and share USB hard drives with your Mac® computer or PC
• ReadySHARE® Printer—Wirelessly access and share a USB printer from your Mac® computer or PC to a connected USB printer
• Easy installation—Simple browser-based setup for iPads®, PC, MAC® computers, smart phones and tablets. No CD required
• Business-class WiFi security and firewall—High-level wireless security for the home: Stateful packet inspection (SPI), intrusion
logging and reporting, denial-of-service (DoS) protection
• NETGEAR Genie®—Easy dashboard to monitor, control & repair home networks
• Four (4) Gigabit Wired Ports—Ideal for HD gaming and video and fast data transfers for USB 3.0 external hard drives
• Fine-tuned antennas—Optimized for best wireless range
• Live Parental Controls—Keeps your Internet experience safe using centralized, fliexible and customizable filter settings for your connected devices
• Guest Network Access—Separate and secure access for guests using the WiFi network
• Push ‘N’ Connect®— Secure push button WiFi connections with Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS)
• WiFi and Power On/Off—Convenient power savings
• Broadband usage meter—Measures Internet usage to help manage costs

Pricing and Availability

The NETGEAR Media Storage Router (WNDR4700) will be available this summer from major worldwide retailers, in stores and online. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

Nuance and Intel Announce Collaboration for Voice-Enabled Ultrabooks

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Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

0

During the Intel press conference here at CES this morning, it was announced that Intel and Nuance are collaborating to bring voice to Ultrabooks.

Here is what Nuance said after the Intel press conference:

Voice Application based on Nuance’s Dragon Technology to be Offered for Intel Ultrabook Devices for Intuitive, Natural Command and Control; SDK for Developers Available via Intel AppUp Center

Las Vegas and Burlington, Mass. – January 9, 2012 – Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) today announced at CES 2012 that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Intel to bring a natural voice experience to Ultrabooks in 2012 and beyond by leveraging Nuance’s leading voice technologies to develop a voice application designed specifically for intuitive and natural command of and control of the Ultrabook experience.

Nuance’s Dragon voice recognition technology, which is at the core of the renowned Dragon NaturallySpeaking software used by millions, will be deeply integrated into the new Intel application. Using this new capability, consumers will be able to control their Ultrabook just by using their voice. Consumers will be able to quickly and easily launch applications, play media, interact with social media sites and control their email and calendars with natural voice commands.

“This is truly an exciting partnership, where we’ll combine the power of Nuance voice and natural language technologies with Intel powered Ultrabooks, allowing people to interact with their Ultrabook with natural voice commands. Nuance and Intel share a vision for compelling interactions between man and machine, and the two companies will collaborate to optimize for Intel Core processors and Ultrabook designs, resulting in a better end user experience and interactions which will be faster than ever before,” said Peter Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer, Nuance Communications.

The companies will also provide a software developer kit (SDK) that features access to core Dragon voice recognition and other Nuance technologies, allowing third- party developers to create new voice-enabled experiences through the Intel AppUp Center store front. The SDK will initially support US and UK English, French, Italian, German, European Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Brazilian Portuguese in addition to all standard European languages.

Additional launch and product details will be made available later in 2012.

AuthenTec Acquire Proxure Including KeepVault

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

0

KeepVault, the Windows Home Server cloud backup add-in, and all other assets of Proxure have been acquired by a company called AuthenTec.

Here is the press release:

AuthenTec Acquires Proxure to Enhance Security Offerings for Consumers, Small Businesses

MELBOURNE, Fla., January 9, 2012 – AuthenTec (NASDAQ: AUTH), a leading provider of mobile and network security, today announced that it has acquired the assets of Proxure, Inc., a provider of syncing and cloud-based storage services for PCs and mobile devices. AuthenTec has acquired all of the assets of Proxure, including all software products and intellectual property. Proxure’s portfolio, which includes its popular KeepVault secure backup service and KeepSync software which synchronizes a user’s identity across multiple devices, will become part of AuthenTec’s Software and eCommerce portfolio and will also be incorporated into future product offerings. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“The addition of Proxure’s KeepVault and KeepSync products further expands the AuthenTec portfolio of convenient security and identity management solutions for consumers and small businesses,” said Tom Aebli, Vice President of Software and eCommerce for AuthenTec. “This strategic acquisition allows AuthenTec to offer both local and cloud-based identity management solutions in conjunction with our TrueSuite® Software and Eikon™ family of USB fingerprint readers. By combining cloud-storage solutions from Proxure with effortless personal security of AuthenTec’s fingerprint sensors, AuthenTec will be uniquely positioned to offer online backup and identity sync solutions across tablets, laptops and smartphones with the simple swipe of a finger.”

“We look forward to building on Proxure’s product offerings, both direct to consumers and for electronics OEMs, now as part of AuthenTec,” said Andreas Benamou, CEO of Proxure. “Proxure’s products are a great strategic fit for AuthenTec, which continues to expand its mobile and network security portfolio. Now, as part of AuthenTec, we will be able to leverage the AuthenTec product portfolio, strong customer relationships and mobile and network security focus for a unique solution offering.”

Proxure was founded in 2005 by consumer software experts from Roxio, Sonic, and VERITAS. The Company’s single goal was to create innovative user-friendly software to better connect today’s digital lifestyles. Proxure helps enables users to enjoy a converged digital life across a broad range of devices from personal computers to mobile phones and more.

AuthenTec’s software and eCommerce offering includes identity management software that helps people better manage their digital identities and online social networking, USB fingerprint readers for one-touch security that can easily be added to a notebook or desktop PC, and PC and mobile applications that enhance security and the user experience.

To recognize the addition of Proxure to AuthenTec, during the month of January the AuthenTec Web store is offering a free Eikon fingerprint reader for anyone purchasing a one-year agreement for Proxure’s KeepVault online backup service. By combining the Eikon Fingerprint Reader with the KeepVault product, consumers will enjoy single swipe access to their cloud-stored data — the first of a kind offering to protect personal data storage in the cloud with a single finger swipe. To sign up for KeepVault and obtain a free AuthenTec Eikon reader, visit store.authentec.com.

About AuthenTec
AuthenTec is a leading provider of mobile and network security. The Company’s diverse product and technology offering helps protect individuals and organizations through secure networking, content and data protection, access control and strong fingerprint security on PCs and mobile devices. AuthenTec encryption technology, fingerprint sensors and identity management software are deployed by the leading mobile device, networking and computing companies, content and service providers, and governments worldwide. AuthenTec’s products and technologies provide security on hundreds of millions of devices, and the Company has shipped more than 100 million fingerprint sensors for integration in a wide range of portable electronics including over 15 million mobile phones. Top tier customers include Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Fujitsu, HBO, HP, Lenovo, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Samsung, Sky, and Texas Instruments. Learn more at authentec.com or follow us on twitter.com/authentecnews.

Watch Microsoft’s CES Keynote Live Tonight

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

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Not everyone can go, or will want to go to CES in Las Vegas this week. For the last time Steve Ballmer will be giving the keynote and you can watch it live on Microsoft’s Facebook page tonight.

A lot of people there will be live blogging the keynote – you can follow the twitter stream @Aedney – and / or you can watch the keynote here.

Iomega Announces New StorCenter ix2 Network Storage Device

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

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Iomega Announces New StorCenter ix2 Network Storage Device

Iomega have today announced the new StorCenter ix2 Network Storage device.

Here is what Iomega said today:

SAN DIEGO, January 9, 2012 – Iomega Corporation, an EMC company (NYSE:EMC) and a leading innovator in data storage solutions for small and medium businesses (SMBs), today announced the new Iomega® StorCenter™ ix2 Network Storage, an advanced two-bay desktop network storage device available in multiple configurations and designed specifically for content sharing and data protection as well as cloud computing and video surveillance applications at small businesses, work groups, remote offices and distributed enterprises.

Based on enterprise-class EMC® storage technology, the new Iomega StorCenter ix2 provides up to 6TB* of network storage for small and medium-sized business networks and distributed or remote locations utilizing PC, Mac and Linux computers. The new StorCenter ix2 encompasses many advanced business capabilities usually not available to smaller organizations, including out-of-the-box video surveillance capabilities for up to five IP camera installations. Users can also utilize their choice of cloud backup capability with Mozy, Amazon S3 and EMC Atmos-enabled cloud backup services offered by service providers, as well as Iomega’s revolutionary Personal Cloud technology featuring unparalleled simplicity and versatility for data sharing and protection without any monthly fees or service costs.

“Affordable network storage for small businesses, distributed enterprises and others that effectively balances of ease-of-use in data management with advanced capabilities such as Cloud computing, virtual desktop deployments and video surveillance is the hallmark of the new StorCenter ix2,” said Jonathan Huberman, president of Iomega Corporation. “Our objective at Iomega is to bring the advantages and capabilities of network storage solutions with enterprise-level applications to small and mid-sized businesses in professional services and manufacturing as well as distributed enterprises in retail, banking and other vertical industries. The new StorCenter ix2 is exactly that kind of network storage solution – rich in versatile features and business capabilities and the first of several advanced Iomega network storage solutions coming in 2012.”

Configurations of the new Iomega StorCenter ix2 Network Storage
The new two-bay Iomega StorCenter ix2 Network Storage offers small businesses and others the flexible advantages of three different models: a diskless unit that allows users and channel partners the option to populate the device according to their specific storage needs and pricing preferences, especially in this time of hard disk drive shortages due to the Thailand flooding; a partially populated unit with one drive (1TB, 2TB or 3TB of total storage capacity) that gives users the freedom of choice to increase their storage capacity over time; and a fully populated unit with two drives (2TB, 4TB or 6TB of total storage capacity) for immediate RAID mirroring data protection and other multi-drive network storage capabilities.

All three configurations of the new Iomega StorCenter ix2 Network Storage – partially populated, fully populated and diskless – are expected to be available worldwide in February.

Setup and Capabilities of the New StorCenter ix2 Network Storage
Designed for central storage and backup of business files with an array of advanced features, the compact two-drive StorCenter ix2 uses a CD-less setup process with downloaded software that has the unit up and running in a matter of minutes. Web interface accessible in 17 supported languages, the StorCenter ix2 NAS utilizes the acclaimed EMC LifeLine™ software, a fully-developed Linux operating environment that incorporates select EMC world class storage technologies typically available only for enterprise-level customers

Depending upon the configuration – partially-populated or fully populated – the StorCenter ix2 offers numerous data serving and protection capabilities and advanced enterprise features, including:

·          RAID 1 (mirrored) data protection with a fully-populated two-drive configuration.
·          User replaceable hard drives for business continuity and disaster recovery.
·          Automatic setup of Iomega QuikProtect backup software for simplified PC and Mac computer backups.
·          Iomega Personal Cloud for the most economical way to protect, share and access your data from anywhere in the world (Internet access required).
·          Video surveillance IP camera support out of the box. (See below for more details.)
·          Iomega Link for iOS devices provides a convenient remote iPhone and iPad connection to your data.
·          VMware® and XenServer™ certified for virtual desktop implementations.
·          Easy to setup device-to-device data replication with two Iomega StorCenter units.
·          Expandability of storage capacity by connecting external USB hard drives.
·          Native Time Machine® support for use with Apple® Mac backup.
·          iSCSI target provides block-level access for most efficient storage utilization.
·          Folder quotas, Windows Active Directory Service and more.

The Value of Video Surveillance Capabilities with the StorCenter ix2
Video surveillance of a location’s interior and/or exterior premises is an absolute business requirement for many organizations today, be it a single stand alone business or a distributed enterprise with multiple locations. In contrast to the limitations of the standard DVR approach to video surveillance, the StorCenter ix2 brings the economic advantages of always-on and accessible network storage for small camera count installations.

The StorCenter ix2 has built-in support for up to five UPnP (universal plug and play) network cameras by Axis®, Bosch® or Panasonic®. IP security cameras can capture and store video directly to the StorCenter ix2 without the need of a dedicated PC, allowing users fast playback of video surveillance footage and live-view camera support.

The StorCenter ix2 encodes video as MPEG-4. Users can set up their stored video files to delete after a schedule date or file size limit. The StorCenter ix2 also includes the embedded Axis Video Hosting Service (AVHS) for local to hosted cloud-based management of video cameras and storage of surveillance content. Users also have the option to utilize the downloadable MindTree® SecureMind video service management software. (One camera license with MineTree SecureMind is included free of charge; additional licenses available for purchase.)

Availability
All of the new Iomega® StorCenter™ ix2 Network Storage models are expected to be available worldwide in February 2012. Pricing starts at $199.99 for the diskless model without any included hard drives. (Pricing is MSRP and subject to change at the time of product availability.)

The Iomega StorCenter ix2 series includes a standard three-year limited warranty with U.S.-based phone support up to 13 hours a day, five days a week. Optional service plans include Iomega’s Enhanced Service Plan which includes 24×7 phone support with advance replacement.

For more information on Iomega’s complete line of StorCenter network storage models, including pricing for all models, please go to http://www.iomega.com.

WHS Add-in Update : LDisk for Windows Home Server 2.0.0.6 Release Candidate

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

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B.J. from Intelisan has been in touch to tell us that their Windows Home Server add-in LDisk has been updated to version 2.0.0.6 and it’s the release candidate.

LDisk Windows Home Server Add-In adds iSCSI Target Storage capability to your Windows Home Server. Using LDisk, you can create a single appliance to provide all your storage and backup needs.

– iSCSI Target Storage for Windows Home Server

– IP SAN (Storage Area Network)- Block transfer

– iSCSI SAN interface over Ethernet

– Snapshot with schedules, revert, and convert to volume

– Fully protected data using SAN Volume duplication

– Supports all Internal or external drives

– Drive Extender for WHS 2011

– Storage Expansion through iSCSI for WHS 2011

Some of the changes in this version are:

Improvements:
1-    Improved error recovery for Failed Disks
2-    Automatic detection of new disks
3-    VMWare/ESX iSCSI support
4-    Online Help updates
Fixes:
5-    Corrections in pie chart % calculations

CES 2012: Belkin’s New Advanced N900 DB High-Performance Wireless Router Announced

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

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Jan 9, 2012

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CES 2012: Belkin’s New Advanced N900 DB High-Performance Wireless Router Announced

Belkin today unveiled its best-in-class wireless networking solution for maximum speed, range and performance, the Advance N900 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router.

With Belkin’s exclusive MultiBeam technology, the N900 creates a robust, blazing-fast network that supports an entire household of Wi-Fi devices and media-intensive activities like online gaming and 3D video streaming.

Dual-band technology with simultaneous wireless speeds of up to 450Mbps (2.4GHz) + 450Mbps (5GHz)
Exclusive MultiBeam antenna technology for high-powered wireless signal and maximum throughput
600MHz multi-thread processor to power through media-intensive multitasking
Two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast access to network storage or wireless printing
Download at gigabit speeds and stream from multiple devices at the same time
IntelliStream QoS prioritizes video and gaming streams
4 gigabit ports for ultra-fast wired connections
Guest network access for enhanced security
Self-healing feature automatically resolves potential network problems
Easy setup and pre-configured security

Featuring dual-band combined speeds of up to 900 megabits per second, the Advance N900 delivers maximum data speeds on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands simultaneously. Built for high speeds, the N900 uses the IEEE 3×3 standard to transmit data on three streams, which gives 50 percent better throughput. Additionally, Belkin’s exclusive MultiBeam technology delivers a high-powered signal that allows for higher and more consistent network speeds and minimizes the number of wireless dead spots. With 6 embedded MultiBeam antennas, the N900 enables optimized video streaming from multiple devices, throughout the whole home.

Though the Advance N900’s speed and range set the benchmark for the router’s performance, other features of the router combine to create the ultimate wireless home networking experience for laptops, tablets, smartphones and AV devices. IntelliStream quality of service (QoS) automatically prioritizes video and gaming streams to eliminate buffering for uninterrupted streaming, and a 600MHz multi-thread processor enables high-bandwidth multitasking across all devices on the network. The Advance N900 also includes two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for ultra-fast access to attached network storage or wireless printing, and gigabit wirespeed routing for downloading at gigabit speeds and streaming from multiple devices simultaneously. Furthermore, a hardware-based Network Address Translation is implemented in the core chipsets to enable lightning-fast NAT speeds (up to 900+ Mbps) and the ability to route at these speeds—without compromising the performance of the rest of your home network.

The Advance N900 is a snap to install with Belkin’s Easy Setup, a simple process for getting the router out of the box and online in three easy steps, and also comes with pre-configured encryption settings for built-in wireless security.

“An advanced wireless router like the Advance N900 is the backbone of the always-connected lifestyle brought on by the proliferation of the tablet and smartphone ecosystem and the explosion in streaming content,” said Mike Chen, Belkin’s Senior Director of Networking. “With faster speeds, greater range, and more powerful performance, the N900 opens the door for an entirely new way of thinking about the home network, one that enables richer media and entertainment experiences for the whole family, across the whole home.”

The Belkin Advance N900 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router will be available for pre-sale on Amazon.com in January and at other U.S. retailers in April.

Belkin Advance N900 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router (F9K1104) – $199.99