VidaBox recently introduced their newest server in the RACK series, the RackServer. Designed to be headless, meaning no monitor or input devices are needed, the RackServer was built with Windows Home Server in mind. The base unit starts with 2TB of storage, but supports up to 7TB on board, and 16TB with the RackServer+Plus Expansion Unit. The coolest feature may be the one-step disk archiving feature named Disk Drop. Whenever an unencrypted Blu-ray, DVD, or CD is placed in the server, it automatically archives the media and looks up pertinent information: cover art, plot synopsis, actors, etc. At 4U tall and a mere 20 inches deep, the RackServer won’t claim all the available space in your rack, making it a good entry level server. It does need an extender to work, and VidaBox has many to choose from, including the new RackClient v2. The RackClient v2 supports 1080p playback and 7.1 lossless audio over HDMI. It is the lossless audio feature that makes the RackClient v2 standout. Both items are available now for your holiday wish list. [via]

CoolIris may be the best kept secret of plug-ins on the web. Evolving out of the PicLens plug-in, CoolIris uses a 3D-esque interface to browse pictures and video across the web. There are many cool features for your iris with this app, pun intended. Users can “window shop” through Macy’s, Wal-Mart, Land’s End, and other supported retailers. TV shows, movies, pictures, and videos can be found instantly as CoolIris interfaces with supported sites like Hulu, YouTube, MySpace, Flickr, and others. There is a Discover feature that helps you find specific content by category. There’s even RSS support so you can stay abreast with the latest news from your favorite tech blog. Of course you can always use a simple search to find what you want. The results are displayed graphically on a “3D wall” that takes some getting used to when scrolling. It is a free download that works with Mac or Windows on Firefox or IE; and the company seems to be adding new features consistently. Definitely something to check out. [via]

Mvix, primarily known for their media servers, has announced a new network attached server called the MvixBOX. This high end device can function as a NAS, a media server, or a web server. It can hold two 1.5 TB drives for a 3 TB total capacity and comes preinstalled with several applications (Apache, MySQL, PHP) to make your web server setup easy. The unit also comes pre-configured for dynamic DNS capabilities and a program called “RapidBox” that allows file sharing using simple URLs. The beauty however, may be the price, coming in under $250 on most sites. MORE »

The holy grail of home automation and technology is to have every device in the home integrated together. Unfortunately, the cost to do that still remains too high for the average consumer, especially now. It is with those ideas in mind that Engadget has reviewed Embedded Automation’s mPanel; a seven-inch, in-wall, touch panel that can integrate the entire home, and retails for $999. While it is not the only device needed for full home automation, as the hub, it is the most important. MORE »

Cisco is announcing their revamped Powerline adapters for the Linksys brand. The changes to the devices are mostly cosmetic. The new adapters are sleeker, black, and are redesigned to not impede on the second port in a standard wall socket. The new line comes in two forms, the Turbo and AV. Powerline Turbo is built to the HomePlug Turbo standard and is used to connect traditional data devices like computers and printers. Powerline AV uses the HomePlug AV standard and opens the bandwidth for gaming and media transfers. Both versions become available in November and each is available as the adapter alone, the adapter with a built in four-port switch, or as a kit with one adapter and one adapter/switch. MORE »

The beauty of powerline data technology is that it allows devices to be connected without costly and frustrating retrofit wiring projects. With that in mind, Actiontec Electronics has announced its next second generation MegaPlug AV. The latest model allows users to connect their PCs, DVRs, game consoles, media streamers, and any other Ethernet ready devices across powerlines at 200 Mbps. The system can support up to 16 MegaPlug modules, one of which must be plugged into your Internet router. All the devices use a 128-bit encryption method to ensure security for personal data that may be transferred throughout the electrical grid, an important feature for those in multi-family housing. The standard two device package retails for $169.99 with different add-on packages available. You can read the full press release after the jump. MORE »

The long awaited release of the new Xbox 360 dashboard, dubbed the “Xbox Experience”, which, among other things, will allow streaming media for Netflix subscribers, has a release date of November 19. The twist in the announcement for this date is that Microsoft is going out of its way to ensure that all 360 owners will be able to enjoy the new features. Microsoft has announced that owners of the core version of the Xbox 360 may qualify for a free 512MB memory unit and a refurbished 20GB hard drives for $20. Arcade version owners may buy the same refurbished drive for $30 which includes three months of Xbox Live. The dashboard update is said to consume a minimum of 128MB, while the Netflix feature requires an additional 8MB. In other words, the memory unit will handle the entire update. To find out if you qualify, you will need the console ID and serial number for your Xbox. Both of these are found in the “system” area of the dashboard. [via]

Still looking for that perfect media center case that performs with the power you want and looks natural on you’re A/V rack? Well perhaps a TiVo that’s been modified like this would work. The mod doesn’t seem that difficult, adding a few screw holes here and there to mount all the PC components. The real challenge for this, and all HTPCs for that matter, is heat control. Holes had to be cut in the top of the case to keep the processor cooled to a balmy 120F. Marshmallows anyone? The box runs Ubuntu Linux on a 4GB flash drive mounted in the case. XBMC Media Center was used as the media server but for a fun twist, users could use Beyond TV and its TiVo look alike skin and sound alike files to “recreate” the TiVo experience with complete control. Never underestimate the power of American ingenuity. [via]

Microsoft finally made the announcement we have all been waiting on. No, not that those emails from Bill Gates you’ve been forwarding to your friends and family for years are true, but that the official name of the new Windows, codename Windows 7, will be…Windows 7. Exciting, yes? Windows has not been known by a version number since Windows 3.11 was replaced by Windows 95. From 1995 forward, Microsoft has used either years (98, 2000) or as Mike Nash called them, “aspirational monikers” like XP and Vista. The return to version numbers appears to show a change in direction for Microsoft. Using a version number changes how the product will be marketed. No longer will some flashy catch phrase based on the name rule the push of the new Windows. Let us all hope that this also signals a change in direction for the programming. Microsoft had a pretty good thing with XP and ruined it with Vista. Perhaps Windows 7 will return us to a slimmer and quicker OS now that the name is also lighter. [via]

The average consumer makes their first entry into the integrated world through the remote control. It is no wonder then that the remote manufacturers are producing low cost universal remotes that will entice said average consumer. What is surprising is that Logitech has not made a big deal about their newest remote, the Harmony 510 Universal Remote. The 510 is a carbon copy of Logitech’s Harmony 550 with a different color scheme and a few button changes. The 510 also steps down from 15 controllable devices to 5. This leads to a more streamlined control and programming arc for those who are still new to universal remotes. Logitech does have an impressive control database of over 225,000 devices from over 5,000 manufacturers so the 510 should control most any device created in the last 10-15 years. The MSRP for the 510 is $99.99, but it can be found in many places on the net for under that amount. If you’re savvy enough to be reading this, the 510 is probably not the right remote for you due to the low number of devices it controls. It would however, be a perfect gift for the not-so-techie friend/relative that you want to drag into the new millennium. Remember, the holidays approach.