Week 39 Tech Digest – Wi-Fi 7, UniFi NAS Launch, LTO Surveillance, PCIe 8.0, AI Storage Trends & More

This week’s digest covers the debut of Wi-Fi 7 routers from D-Link and Zyxel, powerful tape-based surveillance systems from MagStor, UniFi’s long-awaited entry into the NAS market, and innovative microSD Express cards from Transcend. Whether you’re a home user, media creator, or IT admin, this roundup spotlights the bleeding edge of storage, networking, and edge computing solutions.

D-Link Launches AQUILA PRO AI M36 & R36: Next-Gen Wi-Fi 7 for Smart Homes

D-Link has officially launched the AQUILA PRO AI M36 and R36, a new series of Wi-Fi 7 mesh routers designed for high-performance smart home environments. Featuring 6 GHz tri-band support, Multi-Link Operation (MLO), and 4K QAM, the routers offer throughput up to 7.8 Gbps. With AI-driven optimization for channel steering, congestion avoidance, and parental controls, the AQUILA PRO AI series includes smart antennas to auto-detect device locations. The R36 (router) and M36 (mesh node) offer seamless roaming and are compatible with EasyMesh 2.0. These features position D-Link’s new lineup as a top contender in the Wi-Fi 7 mesh networking space.

Source: D-Link

MagStor Reveals MV500 Series: Surveillance Storage Built on LTO Tape

MagStor has unveiled the MV500 series, a unique surveillance storage solution that leverages LTO tape drives to provide cost-effective long-term retention for large-scale video environments. Each appliance includes high-capacity SSDs for cache, spinning disks for short-term archive, and LTO-9 drives for cold storage—automatically tiered via MagStor’s Video Management Software (VMS). With multi-month retention, WORM support, and up to 45 camera feeds, the MV500 targets enterprise CCTV, city surveillance, and compliance-heavy sectors like finance and law enforcement. It represents a rare blend of analog durability and modern IP video integration.

Source: MagStor

Ubiquiti Enters NAS Market with UniFi UNAS and ENAS Systems

At the UniFi World Conference 2025, Ubiquiti launched a complete lineup of NAS devices, including the UNAS 2, UNAS 4, UNAS Pro 4, UNAS Pro 8, and enterprise-grade ENAS systems. Powered by custom hardware and integrated into the UniFi Controller, these devices support ZFS, Docker, VMs, RAID, and native UniFi Drive 3.3 software. The Pro models include redundant PSU options, dual 2.5GbE or 10GbE, and M.2 NVMe caching, with a focus on seamless management alongside UniFi routers, cameras, and APs. The ENAS model brings rackmount form factors and enterprise cloud sync for MSPs and organizations managing multi-site storage.

Source: Ubiquiti

Transcend Launches USD710S: microSD Express Card with PCIe Gen 3 Speeds

Transcend has launched the USD710S, one of the first microSD Express cards on the market, leveraging PCIe Gen 3 x1 and NVMe 1.3 to deliver speeds up to 900 MB/s read and 800 MB/s write. Available in 256GB capacity, the card is targeted at portable gaming, 4K/8K video capture, and next-gen handheld consoles like the expected Nintendo Switch 2. With A2 application performance and full backward compatibility with legacy SD interfaces, the USD710S sets a new benchmark for mobile storage performance, offering SSD-level speeds in a thumbnail-sized package.

Source: Transcend

ICY DOCK Announces MB307U-1VB: USB4 to U.2/U.3 Hot-Swap Adapter

ICY DOCK has introduced the MB307U-1VB, a rugged USB4-based U.2/U.3 SSD enclosure that delivers up to 40 Gbps transfer speeds for NVMe drives via a tool-less hot-swap mechanism. Designed for data centers, content creators, and enterprise IT, this enclosure supports 7mm–15mm U.2/U.3 drives, integrates a large heatsink and 40mm fan, and is fully bus-powered via USB4. It allows mobile professionals or field engineers to quickly connect high-performance enterprise SSDs to laptops and workstations without PCIe adapters. This marks a leap forward in NVMe accessibility via modern USB standards.

Source: ICY DOCK

ICY DOCK Unveils CP154: M.2 NVMe to E1.S Hot-Swap Concept Adapter

ICY DOCK has revealed the CP154, a concept adapter that converts standard M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs into the E1.S (EDSFF Short) hot-swap form factor, commonly used in high-density servers. Designed to bridge the gap between consumer and enterprise storage ecosystems, the CP154 enables testing, migration, and integration of M.2 drives into E1.S backplanes. It features thermal padding, tool-less installation, and support for PCIe Gen 3/4. While still in concept phase, the adapter targets data centers, hardware labs, and OEMs transitioning to E1.S infrastructure without abandoning legacy M.2 hardware.

Source: ICY DOCK

QNAP TL-R6020Sep-RP: Massive 60-Bay JBOD with 1PB+ Capacity

QNAP has released the TL-R6020Sep-RP, a 4U rackmount JBOD enclosure with support for 60 SATA drives, offering over 1.2PB of raw capacity when populated with 20TB HDDs. It features dual mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) connectors for upstream and daisy-chaining, a high-reliability SAS expander, and redundant power supplies. Designed for use with QNAP NAS or servers, it supports storage expansion for video archiving, surveillance, and cold storage environments. Management is handled through QNAP JBOD Manager, with real-time drive status, alerts, and enclosure health monitoring.

Source: QNAP

Unraid OS 7.2.0-beta.3 Released with Major Storage and WebGUI Updates

Unraid has released version 7.2.0-beta.3, a substantial update that overhauls ZFS support, improves storage driver stability, and adds enhanced WebGUI features. Highlights include dynamic device management, NVMe passthrough enhancements, and custom dashboard layouts. Also notable is better App Store categorization, theme customization, and the groundwork for Unraid Cloud integration. This beta expands support for new RAID-Z configurations and introduces performance optimizations for hybrid storage setups. Unraid’s focus remains on delivering powerful but approachable tools for homelab and media server users.

Source: Unraid

Raspberry Pi Introduces M.2 HAT+ for Compact NVMe on Pi 5

Raspberry Pi Ltd. has released the M.2 HAT+, a compact NVMe expansion board for the Raspberry Pi 5, enabling users to connect M.2 PCIe SSDs directly via the board’s FPC ribbon cable. The HAT+ supports M.2 M-Key 2230/2242 SSDs and allows booting directly from NVMe, significantly expanding storage performance for media servers, micro-NAS setups, and edge AI devices. The board maintains a low profile and uses passive cooling, making it ideal for compact enclosures and kiosk installations. It also complies with the HAT+ specification, supporting EEPROM-based configuration.

Source: Raspberry Pi

PCI-SIG Publishes PCIe 8.0 Draft Specification with 1 TB/s Bandwidth

The PCI-SIG has released the draft specification for PCI Express 8.0, targeting an unprecedented 1 TB/s bidirectional throughput via x16 lanes. PCIe 8.0 will use 128 GT/s (gigatransfers per second) per lane with PAM-4 signaling, and introduce advanced flow control, forward error correction (FEC), and improved link negotiation protocols. While consumer deployment is likely years away, enterprise developers are already planning for applications in AI inference, NVMe storage fabrics, and GPU clusters. PCIe 8.0 is set to future-proof connectivity as data movement increasingly becomes the system bottleneck.

Source: PCI-SIG

GL.iNet Introduces Comet PoE (GL-RM1PE): Compact Remote KVM with 32GB Storage

GL.iNet has launched the Comet PoE (GL-RM1PE), a compact remote KVM over IP device featuring HDMI input, USB-C power, network PoE, and built-in 32GB eMMC storage. Targeted at remote IT administration, homelab users, and rackmount server operators, the Comet allows headless access to systems without a monitor or keyboard—even over WAN. The device supports 1920×1080 video input, virtual keyboard/mouse passthrough, and OpenWrt-based firmware with secure SSH and VPN access. It complements GL.iNet’s growing lineup of secure edge tools for remote diagnostics and system management.

Source: GL.iNet

Jülich Supercomputing Centre Deploys World’s First NVIDIA DGX Quantum HPC System

The Jülich Supercomputing Centre in Germany has deployed the world’s first NVIDIA DGX Quantum platform, combining quantum computing with GPU-accelerated AI. Built in collaboration with NVIDIA and ParTec, the system integrates quantum control hardware with the DGX platform to facilitate hybrid quantum-classical workloads. This breakthrough aims to solve complex scientific problems in climate modeling, molecular dynamics, and materials science, where conventional computing alone is insufficient. The deployment marks a key milestone in the race to practical quantum acceleration at the exascale level.

Source: NVIDIA

TerraMaster Launches F4-425: Budget 4-Bay NAS with Intel N5095 and TOS 6

TerraMaster has released the F4-425, a budget-friendly 4-bay NAS powered by an Intel Celeron N5095 quad-core processor, 4GB RAM (upgradeable to 32GB), and running the latest TOS 6 operating system. Designed for home users, media servers, and small office backups, the F4-425 supports RAID 0/1/5/6/10, 4K video streaming, and Docker containers. It also includes dual 2.5GbE ports with link aggregation, AES-NI encryption, and snapshot protection. With TOS 6 bringing a redesigned UI and improved app center, the F4-425 offers a strong value alternative to mainstream NAS brands.

Source: TerraMaster

Zyxel Unveils Nebula FWA515: Indoor 5G Wi-Fi 7 Router for Multi-Gig Internet

Zyxel Networks has introduced the Nebula FWA515, a 5G Wi-Fi 7 indoor router designed for homes and small businesses needing high-speed, wire-free broadband. Supporting Multi-Link Operation (MLO), tri-band Wi-Fi 7, and speeds up to 21 Gbps, the unit also integrates Nebula cloud management, dual SIM slots, and LAN/WAN failover. This device is ideal for locations without fiber access, remote work setups, or mobile deployments. The FWA515 positions Zyxel as a key player in next-gen fixed wireless access, combining 5G flexibility with top-tier Wi-Fi performance.

Source: Zyxel

TRENDnet Hive Adds Mesh Roaming and AI Channel Management to APs

TRENDnet has expanded its Hive cloud-managed platform with a major firmware upgrade that adds mesh support, seamless roaming, and AI-powered channel optimization to supported Wi-Fi 6 and 6E access points. The update introduces wired backhaul support, improving throughput and reliability for office environments and hospitality installations. Hive now enables admins to manage large-scale deployments with device health metrics, client load balancing, and per-SSID access rules. This makes TRENDnet’s ecosystem more competitive against offerings from TP-Link Omada and Ubiquiti UniFi, especially for SMBs seeking feature-rich wireless solutions with cloud scalability.

Source: TRENDnet

OWC ThunderBlade X12 Now Available in 96TB Configuration

OWC (Other World Computing) has expanded its ThunderBlade X12 SSD line to include configurations up to 96TB, making it one of the highest-capacity Thunderbolt 4 storage solutions on the market. Designed for 4K/8K video editing, VR development, and high-bandwidth archival, the X12 delivers 2800 MB/s transfer speeds and supports RAID 0/1/5/10 via the bundled SoftRAID software. With an all-metal, fanless chassis and daisy-chain support, the drive balances professional performance with mobile usability. The 96TB model is aimed squarely at media professionals who need massive fast storage without compromising portability.

Source: OWC

SanDisk (Western Digital) Raises NAND Prices by 10% Amid Supply Constraints

SanDisk, under Western Digital, has reportedly raised NAND flash prices by 10%, responding to supply constraints driven by both AI infrastructure demand and wafer yield limitations. The increase affects both consumer SSDs and OEM modules, with particular impact on portable SSDs, SD cards, and embedded flash. The move comes as part of an industry-wide trend among NAND producers like SK hynix and Micron, attempting to stabilize margins after years of oversupply. Consumers and channel resellers are already reporting price hikes in Q3 pre-orders, especially on high-capacity SKUs.

Source: Western Digital

Micron Temporarily Suspends DRAM and NAND Contract Pricing

Micron Technology has paused contract pricing for both DRAM and NAND products as market volatility increases due to unpredictable AI demand, logistics disruptions, and shifts in data center workloads. The company is re-evaluating pricing structures and capacity allocation for its PCIe Gen 5 SSDs, DDR5 modules, and LPDDR solutions. This suspension affects both B2B clients and large OEM partners, signaling a major recalibration in the semiconductor supply chain. Analysts expect short-term price spikes followed by a return to negotiated volume deals once forecasts stabilize.

Source: Micron

QNAP Recommends TDS-h2489FU R2 for SAS JBOD Expansion Scenarios

QNAP has formally listed the TDS-h2489FU R2 NAS as a recommended controller for SAS-based JBOD expansion, particularly for the new TL-R6020Sep-RP 60-bay enclosure. Featuring dual Intel Xeon Silver 4314 CPUs, up to 1TB DDR4 ECC memory, and QuTS hero (ZFS) OS, the TDS-h2489FU R2 offers ultra-fast performance with all-SSD internal storage and multiple SAS/NVMe lanes for backend expansion. It’s aimed at surveillance, video archiving, and AI data logging environments requiring petabyte-class scalability, consistent IOPS, and long-term retention with deduplication.

Source: QNAP

Unraid Expands API Bounty Program to Reward External Developers

Unraid has expanded its API Feature Bounty Program, offering increased financial incentives for developers contributing to its growing JSON-RPC 2.0 API framework. This move encourages community-led development of tools for automated backup, remote management, container orchestration, and storage analytics. With the release of Unraid OS 7.2.0-beta.3, more API endpoints are now accessible for public enhancement, and the bounty list includes feature requests like OAuth integration, container snapshotting, and power scheduling. This developer-first strategy strengthens Unraid’s position in the homelab and prosumer NAS market, fostering a modular ecosystem.

Source: Unraid

Transcend Aims USD710S microSD Express at Nintendo Switch 2 Market

Transcend is strategically marketing its newly released USD710S microSD Express card toward the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, citing its PCIe Gen 3 x1 interface and up to 900 MB/s speeds as ideal for next-gen handheld gaming. The 256GB card meets A2 performance standards for app execution and can significantly reduce game load times. Its NVMe 1.3 compliance and backward compatibility with SD 7.1 readers also make it attractive for portable media and action camera users. If Nintendo adopts the microSD Express standard, Transcend could be among the first with verified support.

Source: Transcend

Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+ Enables PCIe Expansion for Storage and Accelerators

The newly launched Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+ not only enables NVMe SSD support for the Raspberry Pi 5, but also opens the door to attaching AI accelerators, USB controllers, and networking cards via its PCIe 2.0 x1 interface. This positions the Pi 5 as a viable base for lightweight NAS, IoT gateways, or edge AI inference nodes. Raspberry Pi confirmed that HAT+ includes EEPROM-based configuration, optional cooling, and support for M-Key 2230/2242 devices. Community testing has already confirmed compatibility with Coral TPUs and Realtek NICs.

Source: Raspberry Pi

TerraMaster Adds Local AI Photo Recognition to TOS 6

TerraMaster has announced a new AI-powered photo categorization feature in its TOS 6 operating system, available on models like the new F4-425. The system uses on-device object recognition to sort photos by faces, places, and content tags without cloud processing. This addresses user concerns about privacy and internet dependency, while improving the media browsing experience. Indexed metadata is searchable via the Terra Photos app, and initial language support includes English and Chinese. The update will roll out to other TOS 6-compatible models later this year.

Source: TerraMaster

TRENDnet Hive Adds Wired Backhaul and Roaming Enhancements

TRENDnet has updated its Hive cloud management platform to support wired backhaul between access points, enabling greater throughput and reduced latency in mesh Wi-Fi networks. The update also improves roaming handoff performance, especially in hospitality and education deployments, where clients move between access points. Administrators now get enhanced analytics for band steering, channel interference, and connected device behavior. The update applies to supported Wi-Fi 6/6E APs and aims to close the feature gap with higher-end platforms like Omada, UniFi, and Aruba Instant On.

Source: TRENDnet

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