Samsung Electronics unveiled a new portable DVD writer drive that can be networked, and wireless at that. The Samsung SE-20BW can join your wireless network, or start one by working as a wireless access point (AP). As an access point, it can be used as a standalone NAS to serve data on optical discs to your PC, smartphone, and tablet. There's a USB 2.0 port that takes in an additional USB mass storage device, such as a portable hard drive or USB flash drive, and lets you share it along with the optical disc over the wireless network. The drive can stream DVDs to all DLNA-compliant consumer electronics device, such as HDTVs.

As an optical drive, the Samsung SE-20BW reads DVDs and CDs at 24X speed. It writes DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD-R discs at 8X. DVD-RW, double-layer DVD+R and double-layer DVD-R discs are written at 6X. DVD-RAM discs are written at 5X. CDs are written at 24X. Measuring 140 x 21.5 x 200 mm, this network-attached optical drive is quite pocketable, if it isn't for the power adapter it lugs. Market release is expected in early 2012.