Buffalo Technology has revealed its latest external NAS (network attached storage) hard drive, the LinkStation Live, and its new Web Access technology.
The drive is designed to attach to a home network and internet connection to enable remote access to files. The Web Access function enables remote users to log in to the hard drive via Buffalo's NAS Web site from any Mac or PC computer and access and stream the files.
Macworld caught up with Buffalo's Paul Hudson, Sales Director Northern Europe. He told us that Web Access enables users to quickly and securely access their NAS drive without any of the usually difficulty required in setting up a NAS service.
Like Back To My Mac, the service appears to work with regular dynamic IP addresses, rather than requiring the user to purchase a static IP address from their Internet service provider. The device is currently undergoing testing.
Interestingly, the Web Access function also works on the iPhone, and would enable users to access and stream media directly from the NAS drive through Buffalo's Web Access site. Although the Web Access function is designed for desktop use and the interface isn't optimised for the iPhone, it should work just as well. However, Buffalo told us that a dedicated iPhone App is currently in production – if successful this will enable iPhone users to access all the contents of their hard drive (music, video and documents) from within a custom-built interface.
The LinkStation Live is available in two models, a 500GB unit costing 124.99, and a 1.0TB model costing 169.99.
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