Data | Tag Archive

Latest Gear Live Videos

Subscribe:

YouTube

iTunes High Definition

iTunes Standard Version

RSS

Unboxing Live 035: Drobo and DroboShare

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Laptop, Networking, PC, Peripherals, Robots, Videocasts,

Drobo is billed as the “World’s first data storage robot.” We like to think of it as super, super simple data storage that also doubles as a fantastic backup destination. Backing up your data is both extremely boring, and excruciatingly essential. Apple has tried to spice things up in this area with their Time Machine technology in Leopard (which Drobo supports), and Windows Home Server offers easy backup for your Windows-based computers.

As you may recall, we got a full feature rundown of Drobo back at CES 2008, so check that out if you need a refresher, or in case you missed it. We were thoroughly impressed, and had to get our hands on one to bring you the scoop on what we think of the device after using it in the real world. While the review is soon to come, we knew you’d want to see the Drobo unboxed. Oh, and as a bonus, we also have the DroboShare as well. This add-on turns your Drobo into a NAS device, and can even pair two Drobos up together for the ultimate in small environment networked data storage.

Check out the video above for the full unboxing of the Drobo and DroboShare NAS device.

SIM Card Reader YX03

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Misc. Tech, Storage, USB,

Looking for an inexpensive yet flashy SIM Card Reader? This one supports GSM/CDMA/WCDMA and is plug and play with USB 2.0. Copy and read, edit, backup, and sort data. You can also batch modify your phone directory and SMS as well as manage your mobile PIN password. The flexible device will work with many Nokia, Panasonic, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, NEC, and LG cell phones, in addition to about a gazillion more. The reader requires Windows 98SEME2000XP. Software is included with the YX03 for simple connection. Find it with the ultra-low price of $8.99.

(Thanks, Cassily)

Tiny USB Office

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Internet, Software, USB,

What a fun app! The Tiny USB Office, which recently replaced Floppy Office, can allow you to carry your workload with you. With one click it has database creation, data encryption, file sharing, transfer and compression, and e-mail capability. It also has spreadsheet, PDF, and flowchart creation as well as text editing, word processing, and password recovery. All this in less than 2.5 megabytes. Not a bad deal for free, although donations are gladly accepted.

Play Spy With Cell Phone Data Extractor

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Misc. Tech, Videos,

You can save, edit and delete SMS and phone book entries that you have on your SIM card with the Cell Phone Spy Data Extractor. Or, if you are the nosy type, you can use its software to read someone else’s saved data. Plug the recovery reader into your USB port and check out your no longer loved one’s cell phone or other device’s info, even if it has been deleted. You can also use it to transfer information from one SIM card to another. At a size of 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 x 1/8-inch, the device will not work with Verizon, or some pre-paid and Nextel/Sprint 2-way phones. The Extractor is available for $149.00.

Bleeding Edge TV 244: A look at Drobo Storage Robot

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gizmatic, Short Bytes, Accessories, Apple, CES, CES 2008, Design, Features, PC / Laptop, Podcasts, Storage, Videocasts,

One of this year’s hottest topics is storage. It seems like we’re about two steps away from getting flash drives as prizes in cereal boxes. With the release of OSX Leopard and its Time Machine app, backing up computers has become easier than ever. Enter Data Robotics’ Drobo storage robot.

As easy to use as a flash drive, the Drobo has four slots to accommodate 3.5” SATA I or II hard drives, and automatically makes redundant copies of data in order to protect from single drive failure. Drobo uses USB 2.0 to make backing up quickly, and is fully operable with OSX and Windows 2000 and up.

Retailing at $499, Drobo comes with everything you need to get started except the hard drives. It’s available now from online retailers.

CDR Becomes Such a Square

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Design, PC / Laptop, Software,

Square CDR Using your old floppy disks for coasters these days? Poland’s Baba Akcja has designed CDRs in the shape of the 3.5-inch relics. Each one has enough storage space to hold 200 MB of data and comes with white and blue, red, green, and yellow labels to write the contents. You can get one for $10.00 or four of them for $28.00 at designboom. Just don’t make a mistake and attempt to set your coffee on it or try to place its square shape in a round slot.

Protect Your Bluetooth Device from Hackers

Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Corporate News, Misc. Tech, Mods / Hacks,

Bluetooth logo A study by InsightExpress uncovered that 73% of mobile device owners are in the dark about protecting their device and data from Bluetooth hackers. If you fall into this bracket, listen up. There are three ways your gadget can be hacked: with Bluejacking, you’ll start receiving unwanted spam text messages, which can send your monthly bill (and mental state) skyward. The next level is Bluesnarfing, in which a hacker gains access to your data – and copies it for themselves. Most disturbing is Bluebugging, where a hacker can completely control your phone and make calls, obtain data, send texts and even eavesdrop on your calls. Prevention methods are amazingly simple, according to Ooi Szu-Khiam, a Symantec senior security consultant:

1) Turn off any Bluetooth features you’re not using.
2) Try to keep your device’s Bluetooth ID visibility setting at “hidden” so hackers can’t scan and find it.
3) Use passwords with a lot of digits, say 10. The more digits, the longer it takes to crack, if at all.

Wallet Drive is Conveniently Flat

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech, Music, Storage, USB,

IOGEAR Wallet Drive IOGEAR’s flash drive fits into your wallet, pocket, or purse. At a size of only 4.80 x 0.118 x 6.25-inches, it holds up to 4GB of music, movies, images, or other important data. The metallic blue drive is plug ‘n play with USB 1.1 and 2.0 functionality with a transfer speed of up to 480 Mbps, and will work with Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X 10.3 or later, and Unix. The Wallet Drive is available for $56.99 on Amazon. Just don’t slide it into your ATM by mistake.

SciVee is Internet Science Fair

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech, Science,

If you missed out on your high school science fair and feel someone still owes you, you can now offer up your project on SciVee, a site that opened up this past weekend. Post papers and videos and be critiqued by your peers. There are also drop-down windows for data, references, comments, and a rating system. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and SDSC’s Supercomputer Center, it will only consist of those who have been published by the Public Library of Science to begin with, but will expand to include others when the idea catches momentum.

Welcome, Guest