Western Digital Rolls Out My Book Live Duo

Western Digital announced its new My Book Live Duo personal cloud storage system, which is available in 4TB ($399.99) and 6TB ($499.99) capacities.

For more information visit: www.westerndigital.com


Unedited press release follows:

WD’S MY BOOK® LIVE™ DUO PERSONAL CLOUD STORAGE WITH DUAL DRIVES OFFERS HIGH CAPACITY OR DOUBLE-SAFE FILE PROTECTION
Provides Anytime, Anywhere Access to Stored Media and Files from Computers, Tablets or Smartphones

IRVINE, Calif. – Jan. 5, 2012 – Western Digital (NYSE: WDC), the world’s leader in digital storage solutions, today introduced My Book Live Duo, a personal cloud storage system that combines the benefits of shared storage and remote access with double-safe backup or increased capacity of a dual-drive system with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology.

Double-Safe Backup
Compatible with Mac® and PC operating systems, My Book Live Duo continuously maintains a second copy of all your files for real-time data backup in mirrored mode (RAID 1). Half the capacity is used to store users’ data and half is used for a second copy. In the unlikely event that one drive fails, data is protected because it’s duplicated on the other drive. For automatic backup Windows® users can use the included WD SmartWare® software and Mac users can utilize all the features of Apple® Time Machine® backup software to protect their data.

Maximum Performance and Storage Capacity
In spanning mode the two-drive system combines both drives into one large volume acting as one drive for maximum storage capacity, while its built-in 800 MHz CPU delivers the power and performance needed for today’s most demanding applications. Designed around the most recent advances in Ethernet chip technology, My Book Live Duo personal cloud delivers best-in-class read speeds faster than traditional USB 2.0 drives. My Book Live Duo is currently available in 4 TB and 6 TB capacities.

WD’s Personal Cloud
As with WD’s My Book Live™ personal cloud storage solution, My Book Live Duo connects to the home network to create shared storage that users can access within the home or anywhere in the world through secure remote access. Remote access to My Book Live and My Book Live Duo is available on any computer through www.WD2go.com and with WD mobile apps for iPad®, iPhone®, iPod touch® or Android™ smartphones and tablets.

Home Entertainment Hub
Additionally, the My Book Live Duo system’s built-in media server streams movies, photos and music to any DLNA™-certified multimedia device such as a WD TV® Live™ streaming media player, Blu-ray Disc™ player, PlayStation® 3, as well as Xbox® 360s and smart TVs. Users can also stream movies, photos and music to their tablet or smartphone directly from My Book Live Duo through the WD 2go™ mobile application.

“My Book Live Duo is really the ideal, all-in-one storage and entertainment solution for today’s ultra-connected consumer,” explains Chris Bull, director of marketing for WD’s Connected Home Solutions group. “The ability for consumers to safely backup all their digital content, as well as access and share content from anywhere in the world on their tablet, smartphone or any computer, truly provides a unique and rewarding experience for anyone who wants to enjoy, and needs to protect, valuable digital content.”

Compatibility
My Book Live Duo is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista®, Windows 7, Mac OS® X Leopard®, Snow Leopard®, or Lion™, as well as DLNA/UPnP® enabled devices.

Price and Availability
My Book Live Duo personal cloud storage is available at select U.S. retailers and online at wdstore.com. MSRP is $399.99 USD for 4 TB and $499.99 USD for 6 TB.

About WD
WD, one of the storage industry’s pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss. Its advanced technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, as well as its own consumer storage and home entertainment products.

WD was founded in 1970. The company’s storage products are marketed to leading OEMs, systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital and WD brand names. Visit the Investor section of the company’s website (www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.