At CES 2014, Lenovo introduced its very first personal cloud storage device, the Beacon. Lenovo says this device is perfect for families or those who want to access their media library on the go. The company also claims it's easier to use than NAS devices, allowing users to upload their files either wirelessly or via a USB connection.
According to the specs, the storage device packs an Intel Atom dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, and two HDD slots supporting up to 3 TB drives each. The device also features USB 3.0 OneKey file transfers (x2), and HDMI output for connecting the device directly to an HDTV.
As for other specs, this storage solution features integrated Wireless N and Bluetooth connectivity and an Ethernet port for wired networking. Users can even upload files on the go using their 3G or 4G LTE connection.
"Using Lenovo's custom app, users can even use their Android smartphone as a remote control to play their multimedia stored on Beacon to a TV connected by HDMI," reads the Beacon product sheet.
The device weighs 2.42 pounds without hard drives, and measures 9.055 x 5.90 x 4.56 inches. Additional features include a hot-swap design, automatic organization of data or multimedia content, and the ability to decide who can and cannot access specific files and folders. Best of all, there's no monthly service fee (save for data used to upload via 3G or 4G LTE).
The Lenovo Beacon personal cloud storage device will be available beginning in April with models starting at $199. The device will arrive in Black and White colors.