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If you like your data local, but crave remote access, you’ve now got options like Synology’s new DiskStation DS413j — a network-attached storage (NAS) server for your own private cloud. The feature-packed box has four drive bays for a total of 16TB storage, and you can mix and match HDDs of different sizes without losing the comfort of RAID. Along with what you’d expect from NAS, its media server will stream content to your console or TV via DLNA or UPnP and push tunes to your stereo, with iOS and Android apps for couch DJing. The server will sync your files across computers if you wish, and give you access to all that data on the move via the internet or mobile apps. And, if you need more files, you can download directly using your favorite protocols — it’ll even automate them if you trust RSS feeds to make recommendations. All this can be yours for around $380, depending on the retailer, but don’t forget to budget for drives to fill those empty bays.

Continue reading Synology launches DiskStation DS413j NAS server for your own private cloud

Filed under: Storage, Networking

Synology launches DiskStation DS413j NAS server for your own private cloud originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 04:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The European Commission is well aware that we need spectrum. Rather than make everyone fight for their piece, though, the agency wants us to hug it out. It’s proposing a spectrum change that would bring in “much more dynamic sharing” of both licensed and unlicensed radio frequencies. While nothing’s definite at this point, the EC’s Digital Agenda representative Ryan Heath mentions that the move could give more capacity to WiFi in the unlicensed 5GHz space — no doubt a relief for anyone who’s dealt with an overwhelmed public hotspot. That’s not to say that carriers won’t benefit. Officials want to provide perks by offering “guaranteed rights” to providers and anyone else that has to share licensed airwaves with others. The sharing initiative is a long distance away from having an impact given that the Commission is calling for help from the European Council and Parliament just to get started, but it could be an important step towards harmony in a land where unoccupied airwaves are rare.

Filed under: Wireless, Networking

European Commission pushes for spectrum sharing, sees 5GHz WiFi getting a lift originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear is giving its home networking the same sort of tuneup going into the fall that you’d give your car — not a complete overhaul, but enough to keep it running in top form. Headlining the pack, the N750 Premium Edition router you’re looking at above upgrades the original N750 through a better ability to play with others: the dual-band WiFi hotspot’s ReadyShare file access expands to the cloud, while its USB support now envelops Apple’s AirPrint and Time Machine as well as TiVo Storage. Media sharing mavens also get their own, more specific add-ons. The Powerline Media Extender can pipe audio (and USB printing or storage) over a 200Mbps link, with a major emphasis on AirPlay streaming; the N900 4-port WiFi Adapter is a slightly less exotic, 450Mbps wireless-to-Ethernet bridge for multi-device home theaters. If Netgear’s refresh is tempting enough to prompt a trade-up, you can snag the N750 Premium Edition immediately for $120 or wait until September and October for the respective launches of the N900 adapter for $80 and the Powerline Music Extender in its single pack ($99) or dual-device starter kit ($139) editions.

Continue reading Netgear intros sharing-savvy N750 Premium Edition router, powerline and WiFi adapters for media fans

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Networking

Netgear intros sharing-savvy N750 Premium Edition router, powerline and WiFi adapters for media fans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear has a new powerline networking device called the XSUB2511. Like most powerline networking gear, it will connect your Internet connection to your power lines in the house to share that connectivity without needing a wireless network. This new adapter allows more than simply allowing you to share your Internet connection.

The Powerline Music Extender also allows the user to stream music to speakers anywhere in the home from a smartphone, tablet, or Windows computer. Both Apple and Android hardware is supported for music streaming. Users can choose specific remote speakers in the home that are connected to the new powerline music extender and played music easily.

Mac computers and iOS devices use Airplay functionality for streaming music while PCs and Android devices need to download an app to stream music. The music can be streamed to any audio system or device that connects via RCA jacks. Apple users can also stream music throughout the house from services like Pandora, Spotify, or Deezer.

An available download for PCs allows the user to connect a Windows computer to a remote USB device located anywhere in the home thanks to the integrated USB port on the powerline adapter. The connected USB device can be anything from a printer to a hard drive. The adapter also has a pass-through outlet so you can still plug devices into your outlet. The Powerline Music Extender Starter kit sells for $139, and a single adapter sells for $99. Availability is set for October.

Netgear Powerline Music Extender streams music and more is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
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A common complaint with the FCC’s National Broadband Plan is its conservative definition of the broadband in question: many would argue that the 4Mbps baseline is an anachronism in an era of 4G, FiOS and Google Fiber. If you’ve ever wanted the FCC to up the ante, now’s your chance. The regulator wants comments on its definitions of fixed and mobile broadband to gauge whether real-world trends like multi-user streaming video should lead to raised expectations for internet providers. Ever been burnt by a too-low bandwidth cap? It’s open season on that area as well, with the FCC asking if it should define a minimum acceptable cap and possibly call for better limits than we see today. We just share GigaOM‘s wish that we could ask if every cap is even necessary, although the Department of Justice might be answering that for us. Americans have up until September 20th to make their voices heard, so get cracking if you’d like to set a higher bar.

Filed under: Cellphones, Networking, Internet

FCC wants to know if it’s too modest about broadband, gives chance to fight caps and slow speeds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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