Hands-on with miShare

Today we got an exclusive look at that miShare unit we spotted last week, and it seems to do exactly what it says on the box. If you missed it, the miShare is a little Linux-based device with a pair of iPod docking ports that can shuttle files from one iPod to another. We got to see it in action with a pair of nanos, and the operation was pretty painless -- if a little sluggish, they're claiming about 500K a second, at the low end of the USB 2.0 spectrum. The process involves plugging your iPods in and pushing the center button once they're both mounted. You can select on the miShare whether you want pictures movies or music, and the device will automatically transfer the last played or viewed item of that type. If you hold the button down for a second it'll instead transfer the iPod's On-the-Go playlist. You'll probably have a bit more trouble getting the files you've received onto your computer (hint: you'll want to enable manual library management) but instructions are included to make it as painless as possible. The miShare itself is battery powered, and can be charged with an included AC adapter. You should be able to pre-order the unit within a week, and shipments are set to begin next month. The device has been designed and marketed from start to finish by a pair of guys that'd love to hear your suggestions, so be sure to sound off in the comments.

Gallery: Hands-on with miShare

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[Sabrina @ Nov 20th 2007 4:26PM]

that's awesome!

[Bruce @ Nov 20th 2007 4:34PM]

Awsome guys, just 1 thing I hope it can do in the future, strip off the DRM and be able to transfer videos! That would be the icing on the cake, and I'd DEF be willing to buy one then. Even pay 100 bucks for one.

[Bruce @ Nov 20th 2007 7:45PM]

Thank you for the high notes everyone, but just to clarify a bit....

We really don't know what it's gonna cost. I just made up $100. What I meant was I would DEF buy one if it would pretty much transfer anything from one iPod/iPhone or whatever is out there to another. That includes, songs, pictures, ringtones, movies, TV Shows, music videos, ANYTHING and do one major feat along with it..........

STRIP THAT DRM out of it. That way, you can share it to others aswell and put it back on your PC/Mac/whatever you use, even a freaking Eeepc. (or however you spell it, i'm just to lazy to google it) And increase it to USB 2.0 You guys do that, and I'll DEF buy one. Transfer anything, Strip DRM out of whatever file it might be infecting (trust me, DRM is practically a virus that's infected your file like some disease) my file and I'll buy it. So, can I expect those 2 updates in Rev. B.?

[Bruce @ Nov 20th 2007 7:45PM]

Thank you for the high notes everyone, but just to clarify a bit....

We really don't know what it's gonna cost. I just made up $100. What I meant was I would DEF buy one if it would pretty much transfer anything from one iPod/iPhone or whatever is out there to another. That includes, songs, pictures, ringtones, movies, TV Shows, music videos, ANYTHING and do one major feat along with it..........

STRIP THAT DRM out of it. That way, you can share it to others aswell and put it back on your PC/Mac/whatever you use, even a freaking Eeepc. (or however you spell it, i'm just to lazy to google it) And increase it to USB 2.0 You guys do that, and I'll DEF buy one. Transfer anything, Strip DRM out of whatever file it might be infecting (trust me, DRM is practically a virus that's infected your file like some disease) my file and I'll buy it. So, can I expect those 2 updates in Rev. B.?

[Josh L @ Nov 20th 2007 4:45PM]

I'm rather amused at how excited people are about paying $100 to do what they like with music they own.

Unless they don't own the music, then I'm even more amused that they'd pay $100 for this device but not a couple bucks for the songs they want.

[Molly C @ Nov 20th 2007 5:07PM]

Well, it doesn't have to be $100 nor is it just a couple of songs.

For example, lots of students bring their iPods to school (grade school thru high school). So, all you need to do is get a bunch of students to pitch-in to buy one of these miShare devices (let's say you get 20 to pitch in, so that's only $5 per person), and voilà! The students in the school have easy access to each other's iPod library. I assume it wouldn't work for DRM'ed tracks, but CD-rips are DRM-free and DRM-free songs are available from iTMS too (which unfortunately gives ammo to those in the industry that favor DRM :( ).

[Gadget Chick @ Nov 20th 2007 5:23PM]

spending $100 at one time or spending $1 per song everytime you download it? dont you think the former would be more cost effective in the long run?

[Molly C @ Nov 20th 2007 4:53PM]

Piracy gets more and more convenient as time goes on. lol

A side note, how come whenever there's any device released that uses Linux, engadget (and others) feel compelled to say that it's "Linux-based", when it's not particularly relevant? Now, if one could actually write and run programs on it, then sure, the OS matters, but do people really care what OS their DVD player, oven, washing machine, car, TV, etc run? If the OS is closed within the device, it doesn't matter.

But that's just a side-note. :p

[Barry @ Nov 20th 2007 5:12PM]

It's not like the copyright infringement (I reserve the term 'piracy' for the cases where money is actually changing hands) wasn't convenient with iPods before...connect your friend's iPod to your computer, drag and drop music, done.

Meanwhile there's still value in advertising for linux on the basic premise that a rising tide lifts all vessels.

[Ken @ Nov 21st 2007 5:17AM]

Actually, nearly all linux based devices of this nature have been eventually hacked in one way or another. Just because it's initially hard to access or modify, it's stll relevant to many people to know what kind of potential a device holds.. not just for current use but for hacks and improvements.

[kevin @ Nov 20th 2007 4:55PM]

This would be a great way for local bands to distribute their music at shows. However, getting the music from iPod to computer after the "fan" gets home is the issue (without 3rd party software).

[lesnessman @ Nov 20th 2007 5:11PM]

What I'd really like to see is a CD ripper add-on: a discman you could plug into the other side instead of a second iPod that would let you rip CDs you've just bought. Though I guess if you're going to carry around a discman-sized device anyways, you might as well just use it to listen to the CD...

[Rahul @ Nov 20th 2007 5:12PM]

Whoa!
I just got a vision of a Jobs in Sith Lord form dueling a Bill Gates with a paint brush in one hand and an art covered Zune lightsaber in the other hand!!!!

[crow610 @ Nov 20th 2007 5:13PM]

"Welcome to the Social"

[MMalecky @ Nov 20th 2007 7:00PM]

Hey, presto!

This one actually works.

[Gadget Chick @ Nov 20th 2007 5:19PM]

which other ipods does it work with? does it work with the iphone?

[o rly @ Nov 20th 2007 5:29PM]

500k/sec sounds more like the lower spectrum of USB 1.1 (at Full Speed.)

[Esat @ Nov 20th 2007 5:34PM]

So.. theyr'e like... interfacing?

Kinky.

[Toadlet @ Nov 20th 2007 5:45PM]

And that, children, is how Shuffles are made.

[Tyler @ Nov 20th 2007 6:05PM]

Meh, I wouldn't neccessarily pay $100, maybe $50, but it still seems like it'd probably be cheaper to actually buy the song.

[paul @ Nov 20th 2007 6:30PM]

I'd like to see this:

On iPod that is the host, highlight whatever Artist, Album, Song you wish to transfer using the scroll wheel; then push the button on the MiShare. Whatever is highlighted will get shot over to the other iPod that is doing the receiving.

[Joshua Walters @ Nov 20th 2007 6:43PM]

I KNEW this would happen.

Its an expensive option to give iPods the ability to do the same thing the Zune can do.

That just shows that sharing DOES matter.

[Randavance @ Nov 20th 2007 6:53PM]

I'm tempted to buy one just to podshank the ipods in the apple store.

[strav22 @ Nov 20th 2007 7:35PM]

Would this work with an ipod touch or iphone?

Or, does the ipod touch and iphone have the same connection as the ipodnano and classic to be able to use this device?

Last question, this only works for DRM-free songs, so anythign downloaded from ipod store (not drm-free) would not work with this device?

[gjp303 @ Nov 20th 2007 10:50PM]

Uh, strav22, who the hell are you talking to exactly?


Paul Miller isn't going to answer your questions...

[Pretol @ Nov 20th 2007 8:51PM]

This is where locked-in Apple-fans cheer when an apple product gets unlocked. When there are bunch of other mp3 players that have USB-host, and can do this natively without a hack.

It's like "Yeah, hooray for an effort an apple to make this difficult, and hooray for the people that broke the synthetic technological barrier"... yeah yeah... the technological inefficiency at its best.

[Adam K @ Nov 20th 2007 11:25PM]

I take it these guys have never heard of Zune?

[gael @ Nov 21st 2007 6:52AM]

Will it work with ipod's 1st generation ?

[IngenRa @ Nov 21st 2007 9:44AM]

Add iPhone compatability.

[jordan @ Nov 22nd 2007 10:05AM]

sell your ipod and buy a zune it doesnt get easier than that.