Martian Technology has announced the addition of iTunes Music Sharing capabilities to its NetDrive Wireless products.
Music Sharing is a feature introduced with iTunes 4. Leveraging Rendezvous, Apple’s term for zero-configuration networking technology, iTunes Music Sharing enables iTunes 4 users to share their playlists with each other, streaming music (though not downloading it) between computers. With iTunes 4.0.1, that streaming capability is restricted only to local area networks (LANs) working on the same subnet.
NetDrives are fanless, wireless Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems that provide dedicated file sharing and storage capabilities for IEEE 802.11b-equipped home and small office networks. IEEE 802.11b the wireless networking specification used by Apple’s AirPort products and downwardly compatible with Apple’s newer AirPort Extreme hardware. NetDrives use the SMB file sharing protocol, and are compatible with Macs, Windows PCs and Linux boxes.
Newly shipping Martian NetDrives have a software update installed on them that provides iTunes 4 users operating on the same Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) with access to any music shared on the NetDrive. The update will also be available for existing Martian NetDrive users.
Martian NetDrives are suitable for sharing any kind of file, not just music — the NAS systems are available in 40 and 120GB capacities, and are priced at US$399 and $479 respectively. A “Do-It-Yourself” kit is also available. Visit the Web site for more details.