Yes, it's another article about backups. However, this is a nifty device. Pogoplug is a well-known producer of backup devices you install in your home and use for backing up files from your computer(s). You can optionally make those files available over the Internet to family, friends, or even to yourself if you are traveling. For instance, at this moment I am using my laptop computer from a hotel room in Las Vegas. Yet all my files at home are available to me via the Pogoplug, should I need them. You can read my previous article about Pogoplug at http://goo.gl/16LZf
Now the same company has announced a new device designed for streaming files to your mobile device but also will back up your camera roll to the new Pogoplug Mobile device installed in your home. Pogoplug Mobile protects those pictures you take of the grandchildren or the photos you take on vacation as they are automatically backed up to your Pogoplug. I like that word "automatically." Set up automatic backups or manually back up the photos and videos you took on your mobile device to Pogoplug Mobile. You can also stream music, video and photos to your mobile device.
I can envision genealogists using this device to easily make backup copies of documents found at libraries and archives. I have recently been taking pictures of documents, maps, relevant pages from books, and other items I find when researching genealogy. With today's high-resolution cameras found on cell phones, the pictures are easily readable at a later date, often more readable than traditional photocopies. On a productive research trip, I might snap 50 or 100 such pictures. Now I can easily make backup copies and store them at home, even though I am hundreds or thousands of miles away at the moment. I don't have to wait until I return home to make the backups, I can do that from anyplace that has a wireless network connection. The same process also allows me to delete the pictures from the cell phone camera in order to make room available for even more pictures. (I might verify that the backups to the home Pogoplug device are complete and useable before deleting anything, however.)
The Pogoplug Mobile device has no file size limits by itself. Storage capacity is limited only by the storage card or drive you plug in. Three terabyte USB hard drives are available from several manufacturers these days and I have seen six terabyte hard drives announced although I don't think they are shipping just yet. I would think those will suffice for most people!
The Pogoplug Mobile works with Apple and Android cell phones, tablets, and with most Windows and Macintosh laptop computers. Pogoplug offers free mobile apps for iPhone®, iPad® and Android™ available in your device's app store or marketplace.
To use the Pogoplug Mobile, you do not need to leave a computer powered on all the time at home while traveling. However, you will have to leave the Pogoplug Mobile device and the Internet modem/router in your home powered on. If you use an SD card or a flash drive, the total power consumed will be about the same as that of a night light. If you use a USB hard drive, the power consumption will be a bit more. The Pogoplug Mobile device has no moving parts and neither does an SD card or flash drive. If you use a USB hard drive, however, that drive will probably have moving parts in it.
The Pogoplug Mobile device sells for $79.99 plus you will need a Secure Digital card or other storage device. The cards sell for $5 and up, depending upon storage capacity. Everything else is free. There are no monthly fees to pay. The software is free and Pogoplug promises free software updates as well.
I probably won't buy the new device as I already have the original Pogoplug and use it frequently. I don't see much need to have both as the functionality of the two overlaps a lot although there are some differences. However, if I didn't already have the original device, I'd look long and hard at this one.
You can purchase the Pogoplug Mobile device from a number of vendors. I found it on Amazon for $79.99 (with free shipping) at http://goo.gl/jPXhw
