LaCie on Tuesday revealed the Network Space 2, the follow-up to its Network Space network-attached storage (NAS) device and media server. The Network Space 2 combines the performance of a fully-featured NAS solution with a customized user interface, making it as convenient and user-friendly as a USB external hard drive, according to the company.
Created exclusively for LaCie by Neil Poulton, who designs and develops best-selling award-winning products for a variety of international clients, the Network Space 2 features a sleek, mirror-polished black finish with blue LED strip on its underside, which hopefully creates an ambient glow and not an distraction.
Compatible with Mac and PC, the Network Space 2 offers 1TB of storage and comes with a USB 2.0 host connection in the front of the device that allows users to connect a USB flash drive, external hard drive, or digital camera, and import files automatically without the need of a computer.
Additionally, the unit includes iTunes server software so Mac and PCs can see and play content from the Network Space 2 directly through the iTunes interface.
According to a LaCie representative, the Network Space 2 will be available in the United States in January 2010. The LaCie Web site in the United States did not have a Network Space 2 product page at the time of this writing. Pricing in the U.S. has yet to be determined. In the meantime, more product information can be found on the LaCie UK Web site.
[Nick Spence is Macworld UK’s online news editor.]