WD’s dual-drive cloud and digital storage solution
Storage solutions provider, Western Digital has released its dual-purpose My Book Live Duo cloud and storage solution.
Built with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology, it offers shared storage and remote access as either a double-safe backup or increased capacity dual-drive.
When in ‘spanning mode’, the dual-drives unite to form one large volume, acting as a standard one-drive system for maximum storage. It is powered by an in-built 800MHz CPU, and offers read speeds that surpass standard USB 2.0 drives.
If ‘mirrored mode’ is activated, the My Book Live Duo splits into two separate drives which mimic each other as to produce and maintain a second copy of all files for real-time data backup. This format is designed to ensure data protection in case one drive fails. Windows users can use the included WD SmartWare software and Mac users can utilise Apple Time Machine to protect their data.
Like its predecessor, the My Book Live, My Book Live Duo is a personal cloud storage solution, which can be connected to a network for shared storage and remote access via the WD2go app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.
The My Book Live Duo also acts an entertainment hub, with a built-in media server that streams movies, photos and music to any DLNA-certified multimedia device.
WD’s My Book Life Duo is available via WD’s online store for: 4TB - $599.99; 6TB - $799.99.
Cougar’s Evolution cooling solution
German-based gaming-centric PC hardware vendor, Cougar has released its Evolution case, a full tower built with multiple cooling options and acessibility for gaming enthusiasts.
Built for heavy usage, the Evolution supports up to seven fans, with air intake through the front, bottom, and left side, and exhaust via the top and rear. It also contains holes on the rear panel which allow installation of water cooling solutions. Additionally, it has an integrated fan speed controller for dual-way fan control. Both the front panel and power supply fans contain air filters.
The Evolution’s shockproof HDD tray is compatible with both 3.5-inch HDDs and 2.5-inch SSDs, which can be slid in through the front and top. The motherboard tray comes with retaining holes for quick access to the backplate of the CPU cooler, and its routing holes are designed for cable organisation.
The full tower also incorporates two USB 3.0 ports, and supports longer high-end graphics cards of up to 305mm, with 8 PCI slots for customised graphics options.
The Cougar Evolution is available through Fortunetec’s website.
Axis’ camera and encoder solution for tough environments
Network video solutions provider, Axis Communications has released its range of Q60-C PTZ Dome Network Cameras as well as its Q7424-R Video Encoder, designed specifically to withstand tough environments and vast temperature ranges.
Q60 cameras
The pan, tilt and zoom cameras, which are built according to military standard MIL-STD-810G, can operate in temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to 75 degrees Celsius. They are also equipped with a climate control system which manages rapid weather change to eliminate condensation. Additionally, the IP66- and NEMA 4X-rated cameras are both dust and water waterproof, requiring no additional housing.
The Q60-C range is connected to a supplied media converter switch that provides two SFP optical fiber slots and two RJ-45 connectors as to allow a daisy chain network link through fiber optic of standard cables. The media converter switch enables the camera to connect to external alarm devices via two configurable input/output ports, and to 12 V power.
All cameras support day and night functionality, wide dynamic range, H.265 and Motion JPEG, automatic guard tour, alarm management and intelligent video capabilities such as auto-tracking, Active Gatekeeper, and other video analytic applications from Axis’ partners.
Axis’ new range consists of: - Q6032-C: Extended D1 resolution, 35x optical zoom - Q6034-C: HDTV 720p, 18x optical zoom - Q6035-C: HDTV 1080, 20x optical zoom.
The cameras will be available for order in March for $3565, $3960, and $4335 respectively.
Q7424-R video encoder
The Q7424-R Video Encoder meets America NEMA TS-2 standards for shock, vibration, and temperature, with an operating range of -40 to 75 degrees Celsius.
It also has the ability to encode one to four analogue video sources, and supports key IP surveillance features such as H.264 and Motion JPEG, two-way audio, Edge storage with the built-in SD/SDHC memory card slot and Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af). Additionally, it contains a 1gbps SFP slot for fiber connection as well as an Ethernet port, and can be used with the T8604 Media Converter Switch for 2 SFP slots and Ethernet ports.
The Encoder’s event management capabilities include tampering alarm, motion and audio detection, and support for Axis Camera Application Platform applications on one video channel.
Q7424-R is supported by Axis Camera Station video management software, and ONVIF specification for interoperability of network video products.
The Axis Q7424-R will be available In March for $1155.
BitCloud’s high availability Cloud
BitCloud, a cloud based service and business solutions provider, has implemented a redundant cloud infrastructure with multiple availability zones and regions independent of each other for increased redundancy and flexibility.
The modified infrastructure reduces the possibility of failure by spanning resources across separate availability zones and regions, each with its own switches, servers, and SANs.
The Company has invested 12 months into providing the service.
BitCloud CEO, Bennett Oprysa, said, “We can now offer customers access to resources in geographically separated regions, as well as multiple availability zones within the regions. For extra flexibility, customers can choose from fulyl or self managed geographical redundancy.”
Logitech’s fold-up keyboard for iPad 2
Technology hardware and software provider, Logitech has released a fold-up keyboard for the iPad 2.
Inspired by its “open and type, close and forget” motto, the keyboard rests underneath the iPad two when closed, and folds out to hold the iPad 2 at an angle when required.
The device charges itself over a USB connection, turning on when unfolded, and powering down to conserve battery when not in use.
The Logitech Fold-Up Keyboard for iPad 2 is now available for $179.95 from The Good Guys, Myer, and through Logitech’s website.
OpenText releases Web and Social Analytics 2.0
OpenText, a business solutions provider, has released an upgrade to its Web and Social Analytics solution. The 2.0 version grants real-time access to more elaborate and concise reports.
The solution’s multiple-dimension reporting allows marketing teams to generate reports that deliver an uninterrupted view of web activity and metrics, including activity on social networks, the most popular content on a site, the number and tone of blog comments, and the most influential people in a community. Additionally, it can track when anonymous visitors become recognised customers.
Information is presented in reports containing multiple panels to provide an activity summary of the different levels or dimensions all on one screen.
OpenText chief marketing officer, James Latham, said, “We designed OpenText Web and Social Analytics to provide deeper insights, more control and greater security than what’s possible with consumer-grade analytics tools.”
Web and Social Analytics 2.0 includes the new OpenText Live Insights analytics consoles for real-time access within the context of a live site. Live Insights offers:
- Page Heat Map: shows most popular links
- Page and Element Level Indicators: usage of particular page, including clicks and time
- Site Level Indicators: global site usage information
- Social Indicators: social activity within a website
- Custom KPIs – key performance indicators within the live site
Web and Social Analytics also offers improved integration with OpenText customer experience management, online marketing and social business solutions.
Version 2.0 is open available through the OpenText website.
