Sure we’ve seen Mac OS X applications that add UPnP media server functionality to your computer so you can stream content to game consoles (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) and other DLNA / UPnP-compatible devices. But, now, Yazsoft is introducing a new server called Playback that does the aforementioned duties, and also integrates with iTunes (share playlists, albums, movies), iPhoto, and Aperture. Playback even provides device level access control and bandwidth throttling, so as not to interfere with other applications when you’re working on the PC. Other nice backend features include: lighttpd powered server, growl notification support, spotlight based searching, and thumbnail generation by QuickLook. Price: $15 – 7 day trial demo available.

A while back Apple released the Remote app for iPhone and iPod touch that allowed users to wirelessly control iTunes on their Mac. Now, Apple has added finger gesture control functionality to Apple TV — requires Apple TV software update 2.4 and the latest version of Remote. Another nice feature of Remote, users have the ability to search for media using the handset’s QWERTY keyboard. [via] MORE »

Sure things are tough with the economy right now, but Kogan just might have a product to wrangle $169 out of your pocket with little resistance. The company’s new 8-inch Wi-Fi Digital Photo Frame offers all the features a cutting-edge device like this should have and then some (with emphasis on the then some). Cool features include: RSS photo feed support, photos via email (and even group email), photos from your iPhone using the FREE seeFrame app, photos from a USB flash drive or memory card, and access to online photos from sites like Photobucket, Picasa, Flickr, and Facebook. But here’s the clincher, this digital photo frame can also display your Twitter feed so you can see friends’ updates in real-time (more on that here). MORE »

More storage anyone? Western Digital is now offering a dual-drive RAID 1 configured NAS server to their line of network storage products. The standard mirrored configuration lends itself well for backing up critical data. So, if one of the two drives fails, you’ll have a prestine copy available to access. The downside: you’ll only have half the space quoted on the box available for storage — i.e. a 4TB My Book World Edition II will really only provide 2TB of storage. Another nice perk, since this is a My Book World Edition product, is that it comes bundled with PC / Mac backup software, is preloaded with a DNLA 1.5 / UPnP / iTunes media server, and makes use of the company’s GreenPower 7200 RPM drives. MORE »

Mvix today is introducing the Mvix Ultio HDD media player. The device is unique in that the company has decided to open source the firmware code so developers can add new features and applications. Mvix states that any new application that gets rolled into the official firmware will net $500 for the developer (not a bad deal). As for Ultimo’s features and specs, the MX-800HD has just about everything any decerning Digital Home enthusiast is looking for: 1080p HDMI video out, support for all the popular media formats, built-in Torrent / Samba servers, UPnP AV client (compatible with PlayOn and TVersity for Netflix, Hulu, YouTube content), Ethernet (optional 802.11n USB dongle available), and file management via remote control. Pricing: $169 or $259 with a bundled 1TB hard drive. MORE »

Wow, I haven’t found reason to upgrade my router until now. The new Linksys by Cisco WRT160NL Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link is a $119.99 Linux powered device that’s not only capable of providing a strong 802.11n signal via its two R-SMA antenna connectors, but it can function as a NAS server as well as UPnP AV media server (DLNA 1.5 certified) when an external USB 2.0 storage drive is attached. I kid you not. It seems the engineers at Linksys are quite proud of the WRT160NL and have based much of its foundation on the experience they gained from the popular selling and hackable WRT54GL and NSLU2. Quick specs: 400Mhz processor, 32MD of DDRAM, 8MB of flash memory, USB 2.0 storage link port, 802.11n draft 2.0. Downside: no Gigabit Ethernet and it currently only supports FAT16, FAT32, NTFS storage drive files systems. MORE »

Gigabit speeds over powerline? Impressive. Belkin claims that their new Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit ($149.99) adapters are capable of 1000Mbps transmission speeds, which is about 5 times faster than the competition. The new adapters are powered by Gigle Semiconductor’s mediaxtream chip and have been designed to handle multiple HD video streams. The adapaters offer plug-in-play setup, push-button security (128-bit AES), and are compatible with HomePlug AV products. The only limitations are you can only have 8 bridge adapters connected per station and they need to be within a range of 300m. MORE »

If the first BlackArmor 4-bay NAS 440 Storage Server was a bit much for your needs, Seagate today is announcing the addition of the BlackArmor NAS 220 Storage Server that will come loaded with 2TB ($449.99) or 4TB ($699.99) of storage this July [PDF data sheet]. Like its big brother, the 220 can function as a DLNA / UPnP / iTunes server and can provide data protection for up to 20 Windows / Mac PCs. The server provides 2 internal SATA II ports (RAID 0, 1, JBOD settings available), 2 USB 2.0 host ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Product dimensions: 4.09”x 7.79” x 7.40”. MORE »

HP has a long standing reputation for making excellent all-in-one (printer / fax / copier / scanner) printers for home and SOHO. Now the company is expanding its offering by creating the first HP Photosmart all-in-one printer that enables users to print content on-demand from the Web via its 4.33-inch TouchSmart screen without a PC. In fact, the printer makes use of “apps,” similar to smartphones these days, to power the various service offerings. Initial partners include: USA TODAY, Google, Fandango, Coupons.com, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Web Sudoku and Weathernews Inc. According to HP’s press release, these apps will provide users with “free access to customized daily news, maps, coupons, coloring pages, movie tickets, recipes, personal calendars and more – all at the touch of a finger.” The new HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web can also print photos stored on popular online photo sharing services. Retail price on the printer is $399 and will be available later this Fall. Connectivity options will include: 802.11n Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth. MORE »

It was just earlier this month when a friend asked me if I knew of any 6 or 8-bay NAS servers that I would recommend for his ever expanding media collection. Of course, QNAP came to the top of the list. I ended up recommending the 3.5-inch SATA, 8-bay, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz TS-809 (street $1,699). As of today, I can now suggest another capable system, but one that consumes up to 60% less energy to operate. QNAP has thoughtfully equipped its new  SS-839 with an Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz processor, 2GB DDR2 memory, 8 hot-swap bays, 2 eSATA ports, 5 USB ports, and 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports. In fact, QNAP claims the SS-839 only sips 34W of power when fully loaded with 8 drives. Mind you, the QNAP SS-839 is also a full-fledge DLNA / UPnP / iTunes music server and is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux PC systems. MORE »