AQ_OC said:
I didn't realize you could not save write files to the storage attached to the CloudFTP. Did I understand you correctly on this? This is one thing you can do easily with the Airstash. Right now, I'm moving all photos off my iPad to a folder I created on the SD card that is in my Air Stash. You can also move videos this way too, though I have not done that yet. With the Airstash, you can only attach an SD card or a MicroSD in an adaptor.
The Pogplug has no battery so it can't be used in any portable fashion, though it is small and easy to relocate. It needs wall power. You can connect up a bunch of stuff to its ports...it has two usb 3.0 ports, a usb 2.0 port, an SD card slot, and a SATA port so you can connect a laptop drive to it. It also has an ethernet port, so it hangs on your network. I don't think CloudFTP has an ethernet port, right? The pogoplug series 4 has client software that allows your PC, MAC, phone, tablets, whatever, to access its storage through the internet. And it works. In fact, the copy what sells this thing is now offering to sell this software so you can turn any PC into cloud storage. $15/year is what they charge. The one problem I have with this is it is all tied through them...for example, I can go to a website on a PC to see what is on my series 4. Or I can use the apps. On my various PC, the pogoplug looks just like a drive or folder, like dropbox.
The CloudFTP seems like a curious blend of an Air Stash and a Pogoplug or personal cloud.
I may have confused the issue with my ramblings!
So, the answer to your first question is no, you can upload and download files with the CloudFTP however, I just haven't figured out the correct FTP settings yet for the upload element (rather than mess around with stuff I don't understand I'll probably just ask the HyperDrive guys to tell me how it should be set up). It has to be said that apart from the FTP issue it has been simple to set up and use but the instructions both in the box and online are.....well, almost non-existent. There is information available from the guys at HyperDrive but as it seems spread across a multitude of web sites and forums it is less than ideal and answers to questions, although plentiful and timely are at best, brief. Obviously I know what I'm getting into but someone with no knowledge might find things mighty awkward. Hopefully if I can get the guide completed here that will help. Once the official app hits the App Store this may also improve things.
You are correct that the CloudFTP doesn't have an Ethernet port, in fact, aside from the power socket it only has one USB port. Is this a problem, well not really IMHO. It isn't designed as a modem although it can be connected to a wireless network (more on this as I build the guide) as well as setting up its own wireless network. Given the portability of this device it is clearly meant for moving around, maybe a future incarnation might give it 3G/4G built in but I don't think it is missing any tricks without Ethernet. As for the one USB port, well again, I don't think it is missing any tricks here either, most users will only need to have one drive at a time installed but the fact that a hub can be used means that there are no real shortcomings. I'm sure that a very few would find this a problem but then you could say that about any product.
At the moment I can't offer a full review of the CloudFTP as I am trying to work my way through every element of it in a methodical manner and I can only do this in my spare time so as I try each part I will report back and update.
I think that the HyperDrive guys probably should have prepared the apps before this went on sale but of course, I have no idea what issues they may have had with that.
All in all, this is a great little device. Improvements can be made but I don't think many are required. Combined with my personal cloud I have just about every base covered here at a one off cost (WD My Book Live + CloudFTP) of around £190. Bearing in mind that for most folks one or the other device would be sufficient for their needs there is clearly a cost effective solution here and as apps and firmware are updated with both devices it can only get better.
I think for comparison purposes, the WD My Book Live is probably the correct device to compare to the pogo plug and the CloudFTP to the Airstash but I don't intend to offer any comparisons here as I haven't used those two devices and it would be wrong of me to compare anything but cold hard specs (and we all know that they only tell half of the story).
The Archangel
