Oh! Gizmo

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 ]

By Andrew Liszewski

This very cool bookshelf concept designed by Arianna Vivenzio is basically a large elastic bandage stretched around 2 metal posts that are permanently fixed to the wall. The tension from the elastic allows you to fit a variety of different sized objects inside like books, CDs, DVDs and even boxes full of smaller items. However I think the elastic material would have to be particularly strong to ensure the bookshelf wouldn’t just sag to the ground, which in turn means there’s going to be a lot of force on those 2 metal posts. On the plus side if this thing ever snapped you wouldn’t have to worry about it putting an eye out since it would probably take your head clean off.

[ Elastico Shelf ] VIA [ Cribcandy ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Oakley sells a bunch of different bags and backpacks but if you want to get all their nifty features in one fell swoop you’ll have to go with the Kitchen Sink pack. It includes padded pockets for safely storing a mobile phone and a 17 inch laptop, and the top compartment is even compression molded allowing you to stick a pair of sunglasses inside without the fear of them being crushed. Alternately, the top compartment also has a headphone port if you want to carry your MP3 player in there while still listening to it.

There are cable zipper pulls for the main compartment that allow you to add a lock for security purposes while the mid-body access flap hides an organizer for less important items like pens. I particularly like the bottom compartment which includes drainage holes for items that might get soaking wet.

You can find the Kitchen Sink Pack on the Oakley website for $175.

[ Oakley Kitchen Sink Pack ] VIA [ Uncrate ]

By Andrew Liszewski

This TrekStor portable drive doesn’t really do anything particularly innovative, but it does use a 1.8 hard drive giving it a footprint that’s just slightly larger than a credit card. It comes in capacities of 20GB, 80GB or 120GB and has a sturdy aluminum housing which helps with heat dissipation and only weighs between 65 to 75 grams.

The DataStation microdisk also includes a copy of Nero BackItUp 2 Essentials, giving you a one button option for backing up files, and is suitable for use with Leopard’s Time Machine feature.

In fact the only downside I can see with these drives is the price. The 20GB version sells for about $135, the 80GB version is about $233 and the 120GB version is about $290.

[ TrekStor DataStation microdisk ] VIA [ Digital Drops ]

By Andrew Liszewski

It takes more than just a novel design to catch a consumer’s attention these days when it comes to flash drives. Just cramming one into a random object is less than impressive. So the Domino flash drive by Marcos Breder serves as a great example of an unusual design, that’s also practical. The domino pieces split apart into two separate drives, and the white dots indicate the remaining storage capacity. When the dots are all white, the drive is full, when the dots are all black, the drive is empty.

While it means each domino half can only display it’s capacity in 1/9th increments, it’s not that different to other flash drives on the market that use a simple series of bars instead. Of course the big difference is that those drives are actually on the market, while this one is just a design concept.

[ Domino Pen Drive ] VIA [ Yanko Design ]