Today Data Robotics presented a new device that power users always wanted from the Drobo: a really fast interface to connect the external storage to your workstation. I’m speaking about eSATA which makes the new Drobo S much faster. These higher speeds, that also apply to the Firewire 800 and to a negligible degree to the USB 2.0 interface, also come – according to Data Robotics’ Director of Product Marketing Jim Sherhart – as part of a new processing unit and upgraded memory. The company says the data rates should tick in at about 80 MByte/s for eSATA and 60 MByte/s for Firewire 800 respectively. The Drobo S now also has a 5th hard drive slot. How these speeds will apply to the real world is something only benchmarks will be able to tell.
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It feels like it was just yesterday that Data Robotics launched their latest product, the DroboApps which are available with the combination of the Drobo and DroboShare. Actually quite some time passed since that. But today we got some news from the Bay Area, home of the Drobo. The newest device is called DroboPro and aimed at Small Businesses (SMB) with 1-99 users.
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Generally I use my blog for tech related issues, but recently I’m noticing there are many underreported news that would probably be worth mentioning in the media. Well, they don’t get covered.

For example: There’s been the case of Baxter International, who has just admitted that their flu product contained live bird flu virus! Or, like Adam and John suspect (listen below or to the No Agenda podcast), maybe they are just trying “to get the party started”. How did this product, even if it’s currently experimental, get out of their labs without anyone noticing it?
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As I’m typing this I’m waiting for a conference call with Data Robotics, maker of Drobo and its companion DroboShare, which makes Drobo a NAS device. The news today: DroboApps are here, officially. Some of you already might have heard about DroboApps. The first few apps are available from their website. Be warned, you’ll need both devices for most of these tools which is no surprise, since most of the apps are meant to be used remotely, which requires DroboShare’s Ethernet port. (more…)

When Steve Jobs entered the stage today one of the first things to appear on the screen was “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated”. Anyone saying he’s got no sense of humor: shut up, now!

But he didn’t wait long until he got to the meat of the show. The first announcement was that NBC is returning to iTunes. This means all the Heroes, BSG and 30 Rock loving people can get their fix now online at Apple again. And another good thing about the TV shows: they’ll be available in HD for 2.99 a pop (SD still at 1.99) and watchable on your Mac, thus not limited to the Apple TV like the HD movies. (more…)

Granted, I’m quite surprised that Psystar was able to come up with this: a real law firm to fight the case versus Apple. The Miami-based company has hired Carr & Ferrell LLP. A filing on monday asked for an extension of the deadline until August 18th to reply to the lawsuit. (more…)

Apple suit: Psystar’s Mac clones must be recalled

Apple’s list of grievances against Mac clone maker Psystar spans 16 pages, but, in the end, its argument boils down to the one expected. Psystar, Apple says, had no right to do what it did, and should be stopped and forced to pay.

In its lawsuit, a copy of which was seen by CNET News courtesy of our colleagues at ZDNet, Apple alleges copyright infringement, inducement of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, as well as a couple of other legal claims. It seeks any profits earned by Psystar from its Open Computer, triple damages for willful acts, a permanent injunction against the sale of the product, as well as recall of those units already sold.

Who saw that one coming? It took Apple how long exactly until they got this on its way? They really must have had too much to do with the iPhone, MobileMe, etc. A sign of negligence for one of Apple’s roots, aka OS X?
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Welcome to yet another installment of the random headlines.

Pay, Your Own Way: Firm Lets Workers Pick Salary
I was expecting a “but if you really get what you want is another question”. Granted it’s not completely up to you to choose your salary.

Will FriendFeed Be “The Daily Me” Newspaper for the Next Gen?
Why just for the “Next Gen”?

One month before the Olympics, the dirtiest air in China is in Beijing
Well, who would have thought?

Microsoft to Respond to Apple’s ‘Get a Mac’ Ads
Respond? With what? An own campaign that a. nobody cares about, b. ends up with a new product that nobody cares about, c. nobody gets, or d. all of the above? But hey, they got the money, so let’s roll!

Apple: iPhone 3G purchase to take 10-15 minutes
Hope you aren’t the last in line. Also make sure bring the following things when you want to get an iPhone:

- Credit card
- Social security number
- Valid, government-issued photo ID
- Your current wireless account number and password or PIN (if you’re new to AT&T)

At least you don’t need to bring your birth-certificate and one of your parents.

Yep, Merriam-Webster announced the new words that are included in the latest Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary. The new words include webinar, malware, netroots, pretexting and fanboy.

Webinar? That’s so 1998. Netroots? What the heck are netroots? I guess I have to look it up in the dictionary. Pretexting? Thanks to Hewlett-Packard for refreshing my memories. Fanboy? A kind hello to various online forums out there. Malware? Did I get you?

What I’m wondering about is the inclusion of words like Prosecco, Kiteboarding or Pescatarian. They really weren’t in there before? SFGate has a list of more words you might or might not have heard before.

The short version:
This had to happen and thank god it did!

The long version:
When I (and several other people) had the chance to review the first gen Drobo we all came to the conclusion that USB on a device like the Drobo was just a bad idea since USB is too slow for this. The people at Drobo just said that they are listening to the customers (and reviewers). Today they kept their promise and released the second gen Drobo with Firewire 800.
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