Data Drive Thru iTornado does cross-platform data swaps with ease

Finally, your prayers have been answered. Never again suffer through the humiliation and torment of trying to transfer files between a PC and Mac -- that's right, iTornado has got your back. Apparently, this little device is capable of transferring information back and forth using it's "Data Drive" technology, which magically circumvents protocols, compatibility issues, and fervent fanboys. The unit is able to connect via USB and automatically load drivers and software needed to move data bi-directionally. Embedded software offers up a split-screen display on both machines and makes dragging and dropping (at up to 25MB a second) a cinch, or so they say. No word on price or release date, but we expect to see it on the CES floor.

[thethirdmoose @ Jan 7th 2008 12:24AM]

What's wrong with ftp/scp/sftp/lftp/samba/flash drives???
This is completely useless. I would much rather just ftp onto my mac and get it from there - and that works on ANY computer.

Oh, and
"automatically load drivers and software needed to move data bi-directionally"

I don't want your software on my computer. What if I am somewhere where I don't have the privileges to install it? What if I have a linux box?

In other words, i am not planning on getting this :)

[Joey Schenning @ Jan 7th 2008 12:37AM]

Well, I agree with your initial comment, but think about it. Say you've got someone who has to copy a bunch of files using a flash drive that's only 1 GB. If they have several GB of stuff, they have to keep flipping back and forth and deleting and moving stuff. Many people who just are average users don't really know how to cook up a network connection just to move a couple large files, but this product would (assumably) help those who don't understand networking or don't have the patience. It is not really marketed for those of us who know how to do this, rather, for those of us who can't do it without help.

[Temmink @ Jan 7th 2008 12:54AM]

What about if you are working in a largely pc environment or largely mac environment and you just need an easy way to transfer some data from one of the installed pc's to a macbook or the other way round. This seems like a pretty handy solution, saves any messing about and is accessible to even the most feeble of technical minds. Just because you can achieve the same result doesn't mean that having an easy and elegant solution isn't worth while.

[Juaquin @ Jan 7th 2008 3:44AM]

I have some no-name brand USB cable I bought a couple years ago that does the same thing, but ok.

[Peter @ Jan 7th 2008 7:59AM]

already available, go to your nearest staples. my store got them in over a month ago

[blade417 @ Jan 7th 2008 8:50AM]

now if i could only get my girl to go bi-directional..

[nd @ Jan 7th 2008 10:44AM]

huh. i use macs and pcs together all day long and dont have issues with transferring data between them? i think that this is a product taking advantage of people who dont know what they are doing. files transfer just fine between macs and pcs without something like this. i literally do it all day long without the "aid" of any device such as this. i get the point of this being for techy noobs and an easy solution, but it is in no way necessary as far as i can see, and really will just serve to confuse the noobs.

someone enlighten me if i'm missing something here!