Last night saw Samsung take over the iconic Battersea Power Station building in London for the European leg of their Samsung Galaxy Note World Tour. The event saw the company launch the new 5.3″ Galaxy Note mini-tablet as well as the opportunity to get hands on with the all new Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone – the first device to run Google’s Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich” operating system.

From an engineering perspective, both devices impressed – beautiful hardware, slim and compact form factors, snappy to use, with fantastic AMOLED displays – whilst you would expect to see new hardware and software innovations at such an event, the real surprise from Samsung was the return of the stylus as an input device for the Galaxy Note, in the shape of the company’s S-Pen. In a world that, if Apple have anything to do with it, is moving towards voice control for mobile devices, bringing out a stylus-driven device in 2011 is a bold move. A modern re-take of a classic paradigm, or a rehash of a forgotten input device?  Let’s take a look.

Samsung Galaxy Note: Specs

OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Dims: 146.85 x 82.95 x 9.65mm
Weight: 178g
Display: 5.3″ Wide HD Super AMOLED
Resolution: WXSA (1280 x 800)
Camera: 8MP AF with LED + 2MP FF VT
Network: HSPA+ 21Mbps / 4G LTE
CPU: 1.4 GHz Dual Core Processor
Memory: 16/32GB + micro SD (up to 32GB)
Battery: 2,500mAh
Features: S Pen Input, S Planner, S Memo, Hand Motion, Juniper Junos Pulse (SSL VPN), Full HD 1080p Recording, GLONASS/GPS, Wi-Fi Direct

First up, the form factor. So far, I’ve not been a fan of “hybrid” smartphone/tablet form factors, based on my experience of the various 7″ devices that have appeared on the market so far. Too large to be a phone handset and whilst portable, I’ve found there’s little tangible difference carrying around a 7″ tablet vs a 10″ device – they’re both going in your bag. At 5.3″, I was fully expecting to feel the same about the Samsung Galaxy Note – and in part, I do. Holding the device to your ear for a call, let’s agree, is not a good look, and taking photos with the Note’s impressive 8 MP camera again looks a little ungainly. But the form factor, combined with the excellent display actually works very well for apps, note taking and especially media. Photos look sharp, high definition video is very smooth and I can imagine eBooks would work well too – outside of voice, the 5.3″ form factor certainly feels more graceful than other hybrid devices I’ve tried.  Is it a pocket device? Well, maybe – it depends on how deep your pockets are (in more ways than one) but you’ll certainly get away with carrying it in a jacket pocket for short periods.

Certainly Samsung were talking up the stylus – sorry, S-Pen, in last night’s launch – claiming it as the “world’s best user input experience”.  Samsung showed off a few great features for designers, artists and doodlers, all of whom (as long as they can work in miniature) will find the pen input a joy – it’s responsive, smooth with only the tiniest of lags between touch and line display. You’ll recognise your scrawl, just as if it was on paper. For the non-designers (I count myself amongst them) outside of note taking, there are a few nice pen-related features – the ability to draw around an image and crop to a shape before sending, natural handwriting recognition for texts, emails and notes which works well, plus a very cool feature called Swype which allows you to slide the stylus around a keyboard (as opposed to tapping individual letters) to craft your messages.

Here’s a video of it in action:

According to a press release issued by Microsoft Japan, the System Builder edition of Windows Home Server 2011 will be launched across the country on May 21st.

As tradition dictates, a launch event will be held in Akihabara that afternoon. Five system builder launch partners have been announced, including IO Data Device Corporation, Applied Cleobury Co.,  Sadouebu Ltd., Sai Com Co. and Unitcom Ltd.

Microsoft will offer a hosted version of WHS 2011 for testing purposes in early May. No release dates have been announced for other language editions at this point, although Microsoft have previously indicated a May launch.

Here’s an auto-translated (i.e. slightly kooky) version of the press release:

Microsoft Corporation in Japan (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), digital data management, such as photos and video in the home, sharing and protecting easily realized, as the latest version for the home Homusabasoryushon, Microsoft (R) Windows (R) Home Server 2011 Japanese version, and hardware partners for the DSP (Delivery Service Partner) version * at May 21, 2011 (Saturday) will start us.

Currently six companies are partners, Windows Home Server hardware and support will be provided 2011, Windows Home Server’s 2011 DSP version of the partner companies that sell the book campaign today.

* DSP version: OS with a single product, unlike the system builder (PC companies that do business related) that, PC pre-installed, or, PC parts (CPU, internal memory, DVD drives such as hard disk, motherboard, Built-in expansion boards, etc.) products sold in conjunction with the requirements for the PC that you use to incorporate parts. The DSP version of the usual, Microsoft does not provide support for Japan, but under the agreement to provide support to individual system builders, Windows Home Server version of the DSP for the support provided by Microsoft Japan.

In recent years, more than one PC at home and also owns the common, more photos and a digital camera, music and video, with the number of digital assets to save on their own. Sono Tame, PC users, centralized management and protection of these data, even from a variety of devices including mobile devices, and new needs have arisen, such as access to data regardless of location. Windows Home Server 2011 is a centralized digital asset management in the home, sharing and access to various devices to achieve the protection of valuable digital assets in the home also provides the following features.

Shared folders and storage: Up to 10 PC’s and Xbox 360 (R) and Windows Media (R) Connect-enabled devices can share folders between.

Automatic backup and restore capabilities: Up to 10 PC’s OS client system backup, enabling backups per file. Restore to restore the files restore by booting from the CD.

Health monitoring and alerting: a connected PC and monitor the status of patches and security software definition files, with three levels of alerts and prompts you to deal with.

Remote Access: Windows Live (R) to use a custom domain specific URL can be obtained free of charge, access to shared folders on the go, you can upload and download files. Clients in the home PC can be connected to the remote desktop.

In addition, Windows Home Server in 2011 server has been enhanced as a function of rich media in the home, both inside and outside the home, easier to enjoy the enhanced media such as photos and videos conveniently.

Windows Home Server 2011 New Features and Enhancements

Improving User Experience

Also provides a management dashboard that can operate all the features of the tool, start the client-side pad, you can easily perform basic tasks such as access to shared folders.

Media streaming capabilities

Windows Home Server in 2011, easily available media server capabilities in management dashboards. Support for DLNA 2.0, DNLA2.0 compatible digital media such as TV receivers, you can enjoy videos and photos in the server data.

Improved remote access

Full-screen slide shows and, in addition to the improved operation of user interface for remote access via the Internet on the go, Silverlight (R) 4 video, music and photos can be Rimotosutorimingu.

The Rimotoakusesusaito screen optimized for mobile devices, you can easily access files on the server from the mobile terminals such as smartphones.

Improved backup

In addition to the client PC auto backup, database backup and backup data, OS such as an image, it is possible to backup the entire server also supports Bare-metal.

The server’s shared folders twice a day, automatically “earlier” to be created, or to overwrite files accidentally deleted or even if you can recover easily.

The restore CD is compatible with both 32bit/64bit. 64 OS bit client installed can easily restore a PC.

Windows Server (R) 2008 R2 Base, and 64-bit

The Windows Home Server 2011, Windows Server 2008 R2 are based on, it will support 64-bit, high stability and performance and power savings.

Windows Home Server hardware available for enterprises, 2011 (in alphabetical order)

IO Data Device Corporation, Applied Cleobury Co., Ltd. Sadouebu, Sai Com Co., Ltd. Unitcom

21 5 ※ (Saturday) will begin offering more gradually.

Windows Home Server 2011 Book Campaign

Windows Home Server’s 2011 DSP version of the partner companies that sell the book campaign. Benefits and start accepting this campaign season varies by location Sales, please check with individual stores.

Period: April 26, 2011 (Tuesday) to May 20 (Fri)

Stores in operation (in alphabetical order): Applied Co., Ltd. Cleobury, NTT Resonant Inc. (NTT-X Store), Sadouebu Inc. (Dosupara) Sofmap Co., Ltd. Project White (nineteen Electrical nine), Unitcom Inc. (computer workshop, TWOTOP, FAITH), Lane Co., Ltd. Ones

Windows Home Server 2011 launch event

The launch event in the manner of conduct below. Stage and Japan due Microsoft representative will conduct a lottery and gift for the buyer.

Date: May 21, 2011 (Sat), 13:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Venue: Akihabara Kafesorare

Admission: Free (advance registration required)

Windows Home Server product information and bookings 2011 campaign, the launch event details please refer to the following Web site. However, Windows Home Server in early May of this trial will provide the 2011 Web site. This trial is to be placed on a server hosted by Microsoft, Windows Home Server you can easily test the functionality of 2011.

http://www.microsoft.com/japan/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx

Apple’s iPad will be launched globally on May 28th, the company announced today. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK have been confirmed in the second release wave, with the pre-ordering period commencing next Monday, May 10th.

UK pricing has been set higher than the US (no change there, then):

• iPad 16GB Wi-Fi Only – £429
• iPad 32GB Wi-Fi Only – £499
• iPad 64GB Wi-Fi Only – £599
• iPad 16GB 3G – £529
• iPad 32GB 3G – £599
• iPad 64GB 3G – £699

The iPad will launch in a third wave of countries in July – territories include Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore. Apple confirmed that iBooks for iPad will be made available in selected countries as a download on May 28th.

With over a million units shipped already in the US alone, the iPad looks set to take the rest of the world by storm over the summer. Breakthrough device, or just a big iPod Touch? Let us know whether you’ve bought one already, or will be picking one up this month?

More Info: Apple

iPad Available in Nine More Countries on May 28th

Pre-Orders Begin May 10th

CUPERTINO, California — May 7th, 2010 — Apple today announced that iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK on Friday, May 28th. Customers can pre-order all iPad models from Apple’s online store in all nine countries beginning on Monday, May 10th. In the US, Apple has already sold over one million iPads and customers have downloaded over 12 million apps from the App Store, as well as over 1.5 million ebooks from the new iBookstore.

iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.*

The App Store on iPad lets you wirelessly browse, buy and download new apps from the world’s largest app store. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for iPad and will run almost all of the more than 200,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone or iPod touch. Developers have created more than 5,000 exciting new apps designed for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch interface, large screen and high-quality graphics.

Pricing & Availability
iPad is available in the UK for a suggested retail price of £429 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £499 (inc. VAT) for 32GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi models and £529 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 32GB and £699 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi + 3G models. iPad will be sold through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorised Resellers. The iBooks app for iPad including Apple’s iBookstore will be available as a free download from the App Store on May 28th.

Apple plans to release iPad in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore in July. Apple will announce availability, local pricing and pre-order plans for these nine additional countries at a later date.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Experience Level: Advanced

Tab Creator is a simple way to host your own applications inside a separate Windows Home Server Console Tab, allowing you to run them directly from  the Windows Home Server console.

Developer: Brent Friedman

More Info: Download | Support Forum

Release History

v0.0.1

• Initial release

Our moderating team over at WGS Forums have this week launched a brand new Windows Home Server Frequently Asked Questions section which is designed to provide answers to the most common questions asked by new (and experienced WHS owners).

The FAQs have been compiled based on common posts we’ve seen on the forums, and currently cover a wide range of topics including:

Upgrading from the WHS Evaluation Edition
How to Manually Uninstall an Add-In
Troubleshooting Windows Home Server

and a whole lot more.

Head on over to the WGS Wiki to check out the list and feel free to shout if there’s other topics you’d like to see covered.

More Info: Windows Home Server FAQs

Western Digital have just launched a new 2TB drive – the maximum capacity of your home server just got a little larger.

Check it out:

As hard drive capacities increase, the power required to run those drives increases as well. WD Caviar Green drives make it possible for energy-conscious customers to build systems with higher capacities and the right balance of system performance, ensured reliability, and energy conservation.

Reduced power consumption – WD has reduced power consumption by up to 40 percent compared to standard desktop drives with the combination of WD’s IntelliSeek™, NoTouch™, and IntelliPower™ technologies.

Helps enable eco-friendly PCs – WD Caviar Green drives yield an average drive power savings of 4-5 watts over standard desktop drives making it possible for our energy-conscious customers to build systems with higher capacities and the right balance of system performance, ensured reliability, and energy conservation.

Cool and quiet – GreenPower™ technology yields lower operating temperatures for increased reliability and low acoustics for ultra-quiet PCs and external drives.

Massive capacity – Capacities up to 2 TB offer the most available capacity for storage-intensive programs and space-hungry operating systems, like Window Vista®, with plenty of room left over for photos, music, and video.

Perfect for external drives – External drive manufacturers can eliminate the need for a fan in a high-capacity product with a WD Caviar Green drive, the coolest and quietest in its class.

IntelliPower – A fine-tuned balance of spin speed, transfer rate and caching algorithms designed to deliver both significant power savings and solid performance.

IntelliSeek – Calculates optimum seek speeds to lower power consumption, noise, and vibration. View demo >

NoTouch ramp load technology – The recording head never touches the disk media ensuring significantly less wear to the recording head and media as well as better drive protection in transit.

Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) – Employs PMR technology to achieve even greater areal density.

StableTrac™ – The motor shaft is secured at both ends to reduce system-induced vibration and stabilize platters for accurate tracking, during read and write operations. (2 TB models only)

Low power spin-up – WD Caviar Green drives consume less current during startup allowing lower peak loads.

Advanced power technology – Electronic components deliver best-in-class low power consumption for reduced power requirements and increased reliability.

Ideal For
Environmentally friendly PCs and external storage requiring lower power consumption and cool, quiet operation.

More Info: Western Digital

Tranquil PC have launched their first add-in/hardware combo for Windows Home Server, which comes in the form of a CD & DVD Ripping application for the platform.

AVA Media is available as an audio-only application or with full CD & DVD ripping depending on your needs and is available to buy with a bundled external CD/DVD drive.

Once the software is installed to your Home Server, and registered, you simply plug in your external drive and slide in a CD (audio version) or a DVD (full version) and the AVA Media system does the rest.

• Collects and compares the meta data (track titles etc) from multiple data providers, including GD3 a premium data provider
• Rips your CDs to high quality (lossless) formats or MP3 – then stores the files for sharing to your media players
• Can be set to convert to a second format for mobile use (MP3 players)
• Then simply ejects the disk when done (normally 4-5 minutes, depending on the number of tracks and disk surface condition)
• The music files are then available to all your network and portable music players (subject to the server type), i.e. SONOS etc
• Your music library is also available for viewing on your Home Server console

At this point, I’m not sure whether this is a re-branded version of an existing add-in (i.e. My Movies for WHS) or a new application – either way, it looks like a neat package for those looking to rip large media collections to their home servers.

The AVA Media software is available from £39 (ex VAT) for the audio version, £49 for the DVD version, with hardware/software bundles slated at £79 (CD) and £89 respectively.

More Info: Tranquil PC

Padding around the floors of CES this week, one big trend I saw from the big Consumer Electronics manufacturers was the launch of the networked TV.

Sony, Samsung, LG and Toshiba were all showing off TVs with ethernet connections which could be used to display Yahoo widgets (which were everywhere and causing a lot of interest) as well as content from YouTube, Picasa and others.

A couple of models were boasting DLNA compliance, which meant that they could very easily connect to other compliant storage devices around the home (like a home server running Twonky Media Server, perhaps?) and playback Music, Videos and Photos without the need for any kind of separate set top box, extender or digital media receiver.

I think this is great for two reasons – firstly, who needs more boxes under the TV? Secondly, the big CE guys are very experienced in communicating features in simple and easy ways for consumers to understand. Sure, they’ll all create silly names for network playback like BraviaLink Display+ but, the feature will work every time, consumers will understand what it does and best of all, whilst the TV will be able to play lots of content in the cloud, it will reinforce the benefits of a home server, acting as a hub for all of your media.

This is probably the main reason we didn’t see any new Extender news from HP, Linksys and D-Link at CES this year, but expect to see more networked TVs, DVD and Blu-Ray players heading your way in the next few years.

Here’s a few shots I took of networked TVs around the show:

LG showing networked TVs and the same NAS device displayed at IFA last summer, as part of a “Connected Home” exhibit.

We’ve already discussed Toshiba’s adoption of Windows Media Center:

Sony’s DLNA compliant TV will play content from compliant devices including home servers:

as will Samsung’s own DLNA compliant offering:

With millions of dollars about to be spent by these guys educating consumers on the connected home (let’s face it, TV companies have to sell TVs and there’s not a lot of other news for them to shout about right now) there’s a huge opportunity for Microsoft and home server manufacturers to jump on board and shout about how their products will realise the value of the TV purchase.

The next version of Windows Home Server will be DLNA compliant out of the box – up until then, TwonkyMedia Server gives any home server DLNA compliance for $30 bucks or so. Things are becoming a lot more simple for consumers who want to get this stuff working together.

The next 24 months will be interesting – let me know what you think.

With today’s announcement of Shuttle launching two new Windows Home Servers here at CES, I headed over to Shuttle’s booth at the show to check them out. They didn’t have the final (WHS logo-compliant) hardware on show at the booth, so you’ll see a few extra ports on the back and on the SH-K4800 the DVD drive you see here is replaced with a hot swappable hard drive bay. These photos below are of the barebones chassis – the home server editions will be very similar.

SH-K4500

SH-K4800

Shuttle have now released full details of both home servers on their website.

SH-K4500 Specification

OPERATING SYSTEM
Windows® Home Server
PROCESSOR
Intel® Celeron®
Intel® Core™2 Duo (Optional)

MEMORY
1GB
2GB (Optional)
Supports up to 4GB

CHIPSET
North Bridge: Intel 945GC
South Bridge: ICH7

GRAPHICS
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
(1) VGA Output

AUDIO
5.1 Channel High Definition Audio

INTERNET
10MB/s,100MB/s,1GB/s
Wireless Ethernet (Optional)

STORAGE

500GB Hard Drive
750GB Hard Drive (Optional)
1TB Hard Drive (Optional)
Supports up to 2 Hard Drives

POWER
100W Flex PSU

NETWORK
Gigabit LAN

BACK PANEL
(1) PCI slot
(1) PS/2 keyboard
(1) PS/2 Mouse
(1) Gigabit LAN port
(1) Serial port
(1) D-sub port
(4) USB 2.0 ports
(1) Front out connector
(1) Rear Surround out connector
(1) Center / Bass connector
(1) Printer port
(1) Wireless port perforation
(1) PS/2 keyboard
(1) PS/2 Mouse
(1) Gigabit LAN port
(1) Serial port
(1) VGA Output
(1) D-sub port
(4) USB 2.0 ports
(1) Front out connector
(1) Rear Surround out connector
(1) Center / Bass connector
(1) Wireless port perforation

DIMENSIONS
11(L)x7.5(W)x6.7(H) Inch

SH-K4800 Specification

PROCESSOR
Intel® Celeron®
Intel® Core™2 Duo (Optional)

MEMORY
1GB
2GB (Optional)
Supports up to 4GB

CHIPSET
North Bridge: Intel 945GC
South Bridge: ICH7

GRAPHICS
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
(1) VGA Output
(1) DVI Output

AUDIO

5.1 Channel High Definition Audio

INTERNET
10MB/s,100MB/s,1GB/s
Wireless Ethernet (Optional)

STORAGE

500GB Hard Drive
750GB Hard Drive (Optional)
1TB Hard Drive (Optional)
5.25” Removable Internal Hot Swappable Hard Drive Enclosure(Optional)

COOLING
Intel Stock Cooling

POWER

100W Flex PSU

BACK PANEL
(1) PCI slot
(1) PS/2 keyboard
(1) PS/2 Mouse
(1) Gigabit LAN port
(1) Serial port
(1) D-sub port
(4) USB 2.0 ports
(1) Front out connector
(1) Rear Surround out connector
(1) Center / Bass connector
(1) Printer port
(1) Wireless port perforation
(1) PS/2 keyboard
(1) PS/2 Mouse
(1) Gigabit LAN port
(1) Serial port
(1) VGA Output
(1) D-sub port
(4) USB 2.0 ports
(1) Front out connector
(1) Rear Surround out connector
(1) Center / Bass connector
(1) Wireless port perforation

DIMENSIONS
11(L)x7.5(W)x6.7(H) Inch

11.6(L)x7.3(W)x7.9(H) Inch

WARRANTY
1 Year Limited Hardware Warranty

I’m guessing that some of those ports listed will actually not be available on the final hardware due to Windows Home Server’s logo requirements (e.g. the audio and display ports etc)

Both units will come with a 500Gb hard drive in the base specification, but as you can see, there are a lot of upgrade options. Both chassis can take 2 internal hard drives, but the SH-K4800 will have the option of a third hot swappable drive if you need the extra storage.

We’ve seen a lot of enthusiasts building great home servers with barebones Shuttle hardware, so it’s great to see them now offering fully built home server systems too.

The SH-K4500 will start at $449 with the SH-K4800 starting at $499.

Look out for a review of both systems in the coming weeks.

Tranquil PC are looking for beta testers for their new online backup service, which will be launching later in the year for Windows Home Server plus additional operating systems.

The service, Tranquil Life Server will be launched as an add-in for WHS and the company are looking for between 50 and 100 testers to test the loading of Tranquil’s servers.

The WHS add-in is not yet currently available, but if you are interested in testing the new service, you can download a desktop application, and set up a number of folders for backing up.

In return, Tranquil PC may upgrade a number of testers to the full WHS application at launch.

If you wish to participate, simply download the beta application or contact TLS@tranquilpc.co.uk to request a copy.

The hardware may be an evolution, but  HP creates a software revolution to guide the way to the next generation of Windows Home Servers.

Introduction

2008 will be remembered as the year that Windows Home Server’s brave vision almost came unstuck. Initial excitement throughout the industry at launch was dampened by a “softly, softly” marketing approach by Microsoft and its partners, and yes, there was that little glitch in the software that needed to be worked out.

As a result, whilst excitement still exists within the enthusiast community around the platform, most consumers in the market will still be asking “Mommy, What’s a Home Server?” and if Mommy’s checks with her geek colleagues at work, she may well bring back a few scary bedtime stories concerning data loss.

Whilst those issues are now resolved and confined to the history books, Microsoft and their partners have had their work cut of in the back end of the year to restore faith in the platform within the enthusiast community, and more importantly, to evangelise Windows Home Server to a seemingly cynical crowd of hardware manufacturers and software developers who still appear to be standing on the sidelines looking a little unimpressed.

Whether it’s the cost of the software, the lack of a sizable addressable market or another reason entirely, certainly Microsoft are going to be playing catch-up in their evangelism efforts for some time to come.

But, cast your mind back to the early days of Windows Media Center and you’ll remember that the situation was broadly the same. You had very specific hardware requirements, consumers who needed a lot of education regarding the use of their PCs as media hubs, and very few major OEMs supporting the platform.

One key difference – Media Center is an application, with a broad, but specific set of features. Over the past five years, we’ve seen improvements (slowly) in the application, new standards and new hardware supported and a UI evolution.

When it comes to Windows Home Server, however, we’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it can (and indeed, should) do beyond its backup and restore capabilities. Unlike Media Center, WHS is a true platform and the flexibility that’s inherent in such a platform means that a home server can do or be pretty much anything you want it to.

As a result, as we look towards future versions of the platform, I think we’ll remember 2009 as the year that Windows Home Server began the transition from an excellent, if relatively worthy (read: slightly dull) file server, backup and remote access system to a sexier, more powerful home media hub – easier and more exciting to market both to the industry and end-users.

That transition starts today with the announcement of two new HP MediaSmart Server models – the EX485 & EX487 (codenamed “Encore”). A home server design that will be familiar now to many but with new, powerful media sharing, streaming and management software built on top of the core OS that opens up the path to a new generation of home servers.

Windows Home Server Evolves

I’ve had the opportunity to focus over the past two years almost exclusively on Windows Home Server through our coverage at WGS, and have been able to discuss the platform with a wide range of executives within Microsoft, their hardware partners and software developers large and small. In that time, I’ve perceived a couple of pretty major shifts in thinking as the ecosystem gets to grips with Windows Home Server and its potential.

Let’s remember, back at launch in 2007 Windows Home Server was positioned as a closed, headless consumer electronics device, with a very basic hardware requirement and a clear role to protect and serve the data spread across multiple PCs in your home. The original HP MediaSmart Server models (the 500Gb EX470 and 1 Tb EX475) delivered that vision extremely well – easy to set up, performed its backup and restore every night, compete pain to open and upgrade.

Since WHS’ launch at CES 2007, what’s changed?

Windows Home Server increasingly positioned as an extensible platform

Whilst Microsoft had the foresight to build extensibility into Windows Home Server (as it did in Media Center) through a basic SDK, no-one could have predicted the explosion we’ve seen in community add-in development. To the point now where Windows Home Server is discussed more as a platform than an appliance and the 70 or so add-ins now available for the platform are one of the major marketing features of the platform.

Increasing focus on media consumption and sharing, not just backup.

Those digital memories are important, and we definitely want our home servers to protect them. But it’s fair to say that the home server owner’s desire to stream and share their media with devices around the home, and indeed across the internet was underestimated. Cue HP and Fujitsu-Siemens bundling DLNA compliant media servers to upgrade media streaming capabilities and…. well, more of that a little later.

Hardware requirements increasing

Yes, we all know that Windows Home Server can run on a Pentium 3 with 512Mb of memory. But the growth of Windows Home Server as a platform has led to more add-ins being installed on to home servers around the world. More add-ins equals more resources required, which means that all but the most basic home servers in the future will be running with beefier hardware.

With no news coming out of Redmond any time soon as to the next release and feature set of Windows Home Server (though there’s quite a few hints as to what the future may hold if you look in the right places) HP have announced the next generation of the HP MediaSmart Server, code-named “Encore” which reveals their view of where the home server category will evolve in the next 12-18 months. Let’s take a look at what’s in store.

Part 2 – The Hardware >>

Read the rest of our review:

Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Hardware
Part 3: Software 
Part 4: Software cont.
Part 5: Verdict

The home server, codenamed “Encore”, has been widely anticipated by the Windows Home Server community ever since we mentioned it was in development a few months ago.

Encore retains the chassis of the previous models, with minor cosmetic changes to the front panel lights, which are now light blue and the top panel of the server which is now black rather than silver. Internally, however, the hardware is upgraded with 2Gb of RAM installed and a 64-bit ready Intel Celeron 440 processor replacing the previous model’s AMD Sempron.

The biggest news however is not hardware related, but software related. HP have built a new suite of exclusive add-ins on top of the base Windows Home Server platform to ensure that the EX485 and EX487 truly live up to their “MediaSmart” promise. In the new home server, you’ll find:

• Mac Backup (backup data on Macs running OSX 10.5 or greater)
• Media Collector (searches all home computers for music, videos and photos continually, and automatically copies them over to your shares )
• HP Photo Publisher (publish your photos to a wide range of online photo services including Picasa, Flickr, Facebook, Snapfish or publish online on your own home server)
• Web Media Streamer (streams music and photos stores on your home server to a remote computer or device over the Internet)
• HP Photo Viewer (create and view slideshows of your photos for family and friends)
• Online Backup (backup your shares online using an Amazon S3 powered storage solution)
• Twonky MediaServer 5.0 (upgraded from the previous model)
• iTunes Server (play music and videos stored on your home server in iTunes)
• Power Management (schedule the home server to sleep when not in use)
• McAfee Total Protection Service (Anti-virus protection)

Certainly the incluson of these add-ins elevate the new model to be the most fully-featured home server on the market today, and those of you running mixed Mac and PC households will certainly welcome the ability to back up and protect your Macs.

The EX485 comes with 750Gb of storage and is priced at $599 whilst the EX487 has 1Tb (2 x 750Gb) and will be sold at $749. If you’re in North America, you can place orders for the new models from 5th January 2009 and units will begin shipping in early February. At this point, no pricing or availability has been announced for other countries – as soon as we know, you will too.

We’ve had an Encore unit for a few weeks and you can read our thoughts on it now in our detailed five part review.