Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

The Copy Cruiser Plus from Aleratec is another compact device that allows you to copy files between USB drives or flash memory cards without the need for a PC. While it probably appeals most to photographers who need to free up space on their memory cards while working an event, there have been plenty of times when I’ve had to reluctantly boot up my laptop just to copy a few files between flash drives. The Copy Cruiser Plus works with devices that support the USM Mass Storage specification or the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) and also works as an external card reader with slots for CF, MS, SD and MMC memory cards.

The LCD display provides info on the connected devices like storage capacity or free space, and also allows you to select specific files or folders to copy between the drives. It’s powered by 3 AAA batteries which should give you an idea of its overall size, and is available directly from Aleratec for $89.99. Alternately, you can grab it from Amazon for just $44.

[ Aleratec Copy Cruiser Plus ] VIA [ GadgetGrid ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Except for having a stylish, angular design, this external SATA HDD case from Marshal doesn’t bring anything new to the table. The company does mention that the enclosure features an ECO mode, but all that does is stop the drive from spinning after 5 minutes of inactivity. In that standby mode the enclosure’s power consumption drops by about 71%, but if you’re constantly accessing the drive, the ECO mode isn’t going to kick in. So it might be a better choice if you’re strictly looking for a data backup solution. Oh, and it also only features a USB 2 connection.

[ Marshal SATA HDD External Case ] VIA [ Akihabara News ]

By Andrew Liszewski

A few weeks ago I wrote about something called the Contactbox, which was basically a storage box for your small electronics that used an elastic cord to display your toys while hiding the charging cables inside. These Straps from Amsterdam based design firm Droog do the exact same thing (mostly) except on a larger scale. They’re made from silicone rubber and easily attach to any wall using just two screws. The tension of the straps can also easily be adjusted by simply moving the screws closer or farther apart. (As long as you’re cool with all the screw holes in your wall.) Obviously more tension means they’ll be able to support heavier objects.

Of course the Droog Straps are pretty much the exact same idea as the Elastico Bookshelf concept, but manage to set themselves apart by actually being available for sale. You can find them at AllModern.com in charcoal, red, white or green for $23.42 each. So if you wanted to recreate the storage wall seen in that product shot, it will cost you $562.08.

[ Droog Straps ] VIA [ Cribcandy ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Good news for PSP owners who have come to rely on the gaming device as their portable media player. At the recent Computex show in Taipei, a company called PhotoFast was showing off a couple of adapters that can boost the PSP’s storage capacity up to 32GB. The CR-5400 (pictured on the right) can turn 2, 8GB microSD or microSDHC cards into a single 16GB Memory Stick Pro Duo card which can then be loaded with music and videos and simply inserted into a PSP. Taking things one step further, the CR-3100 (pictured on the left) attaches to the back of your PSP and can accommodate 2 of the CR-5400 adapters, which means 4 8GB microSD cards, giving you a total capacity of 32GB. Apparently the CR-3100 actually uses a thin cable that connects the adapter to the PSP’s memory slot, even though it’s not visible in the above photo.

As microSD card capacities continue to increase, so will the storage capacity of these adapters so if the price is right, it could be a good investment. The CR-5400 is expected to be released in Japan near the end of June, while the CR-3100 unfortunately has no release date since it’s still undergoing testing and design changes.

[ Akihabara News - Photofast Offers Your PSP 32GB Storage ]

By Andrew Liszewski

As far as I can tell, this Hardbox external drive case serves two purposes. (Besides of course backing up your data.) For starters, if you don’t want a desk full of ugly external hard drives (some aren’t too bad) you can stick it on a nearby shelf alongside your copies of Moby Dick, Treasure Island and the hardcover Harry Potter tomes where it should somewhat blend in. Then, as an added bonus, it might actually keep your hard drive safe from particularly stupid or poor-sighted burglars who don’t realize that one book on the shelf with the blinking LEDs isn’t a book at all. Unlikely, but you never know.

The enclosure supports 3.5 inch SATA I or II drives and connects to your PC via USB. It doesn’t have a fan, but instead uses the fake page detailing on the edges as a heat sync, keeping it extremely quiet. The power supply is built-in so the AC cord doesn’t require a large transformer on the end, but that does add to the enclosure’s overall size. On the back you’ll find a physical write protection switch as well as a ‘Backup’ button for manually starting a backup of your data. It also includes scheduling software so you can set the backups to happen automatically on a regular basis.

While the bright red spine isn’t that appealing, the rest of the enclosure seems not too bad. Though I’m not sure if the $300 price tag (315,000 KRW) includes a hard drive or not.

[ SAROTECH Hardbox ] VIA [ AVING USA ]

By Evan Ackerman

Eye-Fi is rolling out some new features for their Wi-Fi enabled SD cards for digital cameras, and from the sound of things, they’ve been actually paying attention to what their customers have been asking for. A novel concept, I know.

There will be three new models of Eye-Fi card, all with storage capacities of 2 gigs. Here’s the lineup:

Eye-Fi Explore ($129): Includes one year’s worth of automatic hotspot uploads via Wayport. Also includes Wi-Fi geotagging via Skyhook.

Eye-Fi Share ($99): Same as the current version of the Wi-Fi card; uploads via preprogrammed networks and integrates with Flickr and other services.

Eye-Fi Home ($79): Basic version, includes preprogrammed network uploads but no online integration.

So, there’s still no dynamic access to open hotspots, no on-camera configuration, and no way to tag pics you’ve taken to prevent them from uploading, but the new features are certainly useful. You’ll pay out the wazoo to take advantage of them, though, seeing as you could buy about 18 (!) standard 2 gig SD cards for the price of one Eye-Fi Explore.

[ Eye-Fi ] VIA [ Gizmodo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Besides the improved graphics and unique control mechanisms, the latest generation of video game consoles are the first to really go beyond just being gaming hardware. They now include the ability to play back videos, MP3s and even digital photos to a varying degree, without the need for a PC. And while I’m still not ready to forgive Iomega for the Zip drive fiasco (click, click, click) it seems the company has moved on and is targeting their latest USB hard drive to be used exclusively with your console of choice. (As long as you didn’t choose the Wii.)

As far as I can tell the Media Xporter USB hard drive is just a standard portable hard drive but with a paint job that seems more suited for use with the Xbox 360 rather than the PS3. However the 160GB drive will work with either console allowing you to expand your media library considerably. It also includes the Prism Video Converter MX software for converting files to formats that are supported by your particular console. And by included I mean you have to download it from their site.

You can get the Media Xporter directly from the Iomega website for $113.95 which is actually not a bad price for a compact 2.5 inch, 160GB external drive.

[ Iomega Media Xporter ] VIA [ Ubergizmo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’re carrying around launch codes, CIA dossiers or even a script for the funniest screwball comedy of all time, you’re probably in the market for some level of data encryption. Might I suggest the STARAY S-Series drive enclosures from RAIDON, which come in 3 varieties catering to all levels of paranoia. All of the enclosures allow you to setup both public and encrypted partitions on the drive, so you don’t necessarily have to deal with the security measures for files you’re not worried about.

However for the data you want protected, the S1 Series uses a software password that has to be entered on the computer once the drive has been connected. The S2 Series steps things up with a fingerprint scanner that requires you to swipe, before you can access the encrypted data. Finally, the S3 Series has a keypad running down the side that requires you to punch in a code to unlock your data. I’m not sure if the use of Roman Numerals on the buttons is the best approach, particularly if you failed that section in grade school. But you can always write over them with a Sharpie. That looks professional right?

[ RAIDON STARAY S Series Drive Enclosures ] VIA [ 7 Gadgets ]

By Evan Ackerman

I’m way paranoid about my data. I’m not even sure that “paranoid” is the appropriate word, I guess, since I’ve suffered several primary drive failures in my laptop over the years, as have an alarming number of friends… Virtually all of the heavy computer users I know have had similar experiences. If this has happened to you, you know how much it sucks, especially if you lose things that can’t be replaced, like pictures or email.

After nearly having my computer die (again) last month, I’m trying to figure out the best way to keep my data safe. I can think of two options: online backup services (like IDrive), or a desktop RAID system (like Drobo). If any of you have experience or opinions on the matter, let me know what you think, after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

By Luke Anderson

I’ve been wondering for some time why we use cool technologies like biometric scanning for securing digital files, yet we rarely see it for physical storage units. I no longer have to wonder, as Frontgate has cooked up a small safe that is protected with a fingerprint scanner.

The box is so secure that it is indorsed by the NRA firearms saftey intrusion program, so apparently it’s safe for holding your gun. Just reading that made me picture rolling over at night, swiping my finger and having the safe pop open so I can grab my gun and mow down a line of zombies. Yes, that was but a small peek at what goes through my mind at any given point. It rarely makes sense, but I found it relevant.

[ FrontGate ] VIA [ UberReview ]