Spam Cube hardware filter reviewed

It's hard to get a good sense of a pre-release product whose full benefits can only be derived from widespread adoption, so David Pogue's experience with the Spam Cube should definitely not be considered indicative of how this device will perform once thousands of users are helping to tweak its filters. Still, some of the problems that Pogue identifies in this hardware spam solution will not improve even when adoption reaches critical mass, such as its incompatibility with non-Outlook email programs and unnecessary lack of portability (that big box is almost all air). Benefits of the Cube include no required software that hijacks processor cycles or subscription fees to keep your definitions up to date, and that user feedback feature which will help the network-based detection program keep abreast of the latest spammer tricks -- although out-of-the-box, Pogue found that the device flagged an unacceptable number of legit messages as spam. All in all, the $150 Cube is presented as be a great concept that may be getting released before it's completely polished, although we'll wait for another review after the general release and promised firmware upgrade before passing final judgement..