Western Digital (WD) has launched a new range of easy to use NAS drives aiming to make cloud storage simpler and more personal. The new range of WD MyCloud drives will facilitate access to your files from any of your devices, anywhere you can find an internet connection. All your files will be on the MyCloud drive “safe at home” rather than on some company’s server. The newly announced MyCloud drives are now available in 2TB, 3TB and, from next month, 4TB capacities.
“We believe that there’s no place like home for the cloud,” said Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager of WD's branded products and consumer electronics groups. “Everyone is inundated with thousands of digital files scattered across multiple computers and mobile devices, and controlling that chaos is a challenge. WD’s personal cloud is the easiest, most secure and most affordable way for customers to control that chaos, with access to all of their files anywhere, anytime.”
The highlights of the WD MyCloud product are as follows;
- Your own high capacity cloud storage, no monthly fees
- Centralise your family’s media collection
- DLNA for wireless streaming capability
- Access for a wide range of devices and platforms using WD’s free apps
- Expand the storage available on your tablet or smartphone
- Flexible automatic backup options on PC and Mac
- Connect and transfer files between Dropbox and other providers of cloud storage
- Your cloud is password protected and uses 128-bit AES encryption
- Cloud files can be double-backed-up on your home network
- USB 3.0 port allows direct uploads from many cameras
- The MyCloud drive uses a dual-core processor and gigabit Ethernet for responsiveness
- MyCloud can be set up in minutes via a simple but rich web-based interface
One of the key benefits of the MyCloud drive, WD wish to emphasise, is how easy the device is to set up and use. WD says that you can get your “personal cloud up and running in minutes with WD’s rich web-based user interface for seamless web-guided setup”.
The MyCloud drive is sized 170 x 140 x 49mm and weighs just under a kilo. To access the web interface to set it up requires the use of one of the following browsers; Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher, Safari 5.0 or higher, Firefox 12 or higher, Google Chrome 14.0 and later on supported Windows (XP SP3 or newer) and Mac OS (Snow Leopard or newer) platforms.
The single drive WD MyCloud has a suggested price of $150 for 2TB, $180 for 3TB, and $250 for 4TB capacities. We have been told the UK prices are £129.00 for 2 TB and £159.00 for 3 TB, with the 4TB drive being made available and priced-up next month. The drive comes with a 2 year worldwide guarantee. WD also says that a two-drive and four-drive MyCloud boxes will be available sometime in the future.
