Infinitec details Infinite USB Memory Device functionality ahead of launch
By Darren Murph 
posted February 18th 2010 10:20AM
posted February 18th 2010 10:20AM
Features:
The Next Generation Flash Drive is Finally Here
Simply put, the IUM is the next generation of USB flash drives. Why? Because it provides you with a more efficient, practical and comprehensive solution for transferring your files than traditional USB flash drives. You no longer need to run back and forth between laptops to share files, you don't need to worry about what previous content may still be on your flash drive before you give it to a friend or colleague, and you don't need to try to figure out if you have enough capacity available to share all you content. Oh, and by the way, have we told you about its media streaming capabilities? Here are some of the things it can do.
Unlimited File Sharing
Because the IUM allows you to share your entire hard drive as well as any servers, external hard drives or other storage space that your laptop has access to, you can never run out of storage space.
Complete Freedom
The IUM gives you the complete freedom of choosing whether to share one single file or your entire hard drive. You are in control. You decide what to share, when and with whom.
Completely Secure
Because the IUM uses your laptop's hard drive for storage, if your IUM is lost or stolen, none of your files will be gone with it. Unlike in traditional flash drives, the IUM doesn't store any content in it and therefore your data is always protected because it never leaves your laptop.
Compatible with all File Formats
The IUM supports all types of files and folders regardless of the functionality or the extension of the file. All you have to do is mark the file for sharing using the IUM software and your files will immediately appear on the IUM.
Stream Your Media
Because files never leave your laptop, you can stream all your movies, music and pictures directly to your TV, DVD player, Blu-ray player, HiFi system, etc. All you need is a USB port and off you go! (Note: Infinitec only endorses the download of legally acquired content)
Supports Full HD
Because we understand that the world is moving to HD, we want to you to enjoy that freedom too. The IUM gives you the ability to streaming your movies in full HD (1080p support) so that you can enjoy a better image quality.
Uninterrupted Playback
We understand wireless technology and how unreliable it can be. That's why we've installed measures to protect you from any interference or drop in the wireless signal. So you can enjoy your movies and music with uninterrupted playback.
Compatible with all Operating Systems
It doesn't matter if your friends or colleagues are using a PC, Mac or Linux computer. The IUM is plug-and-play device that's recognised by all operating systems so that you can share your files with anyone you choose.
Compatible with Gaming Consoles
We understand that you like to use your flash drives on your video consoles so we've made sure you can do the same with your IUM. The IUM is compatible with all major gaming consoles such as PlaysStation3, Xbox360, Wii, etc.
Plug and Play
Since the IUM is the next generation of USB flash drives, it's compatible with any device that currently accepts the use of traditional flash drives. Everything from printers to digital photo frames. You don't need to install software or download drivers. It truly is a plug and play device.
Future Proof
Because the IUM is a plug and play device, this means that it will be compatible with all future devices that support USB flash drives. So if one day they make microwaves that have a USB port in them, you'll be able to use your IUM to make your popcorn as well!
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How it Works
Intro
Why is the IUM is the next generation of USB flash drives? Because it looks and feels like a traditional USB memory drive, but has none of the limitations of these devices. This is because the IUM does not actually store any memory on the drive itself. Instead, it uses your laptop's WiFi signal to connect to it and then leverages your laptop's storage capabilities as its own. This means that you get to decide what is the storage capabilities of your IUM instead of having to buy a larger capacity flash drive every year.
The IUM's storage can be as large as the entire hard disk of your laptop or even larger. This is because you can share all the external hard drives and servers that your laptop has access to. Ultimately the more storage space that your laptop has access to, the larger the memory of the IUM will appear to be. And because a laptop can always find access to additional servers or hard drives, these can all be combined to create the IUM's infinite capacity.
In addition, the IUM is a Plug-and-Play drive: when it's connected to any USB equipped device, it will always appear as a standard off-the-shelve flash drive. This means that you'll never need to install any drivers or software on any of the devices you want to use it with.
Pairing Process
So what happens after you get back from the store, excited about purchasing your first IUM? Well the first thing you need to do is pair it with your laptop. The IUM pairs uniquely to a single laptop and this laptop becomes the host or "brains" of the IUM. This is a very simple process; all you need to do is move the IUM's selector switch to 'pair' mode and then plug it into your laptop's USB port. This will automatically install the Infinite Portal software on your laptop which will then pair the IUM to your laptop.
The pairing process is designed to uniquely identify your IUM from others that may be around. Your IUM will only work with your laptop while other IUMs will only work with their owners' laptops. By pairing each IUM with a unique host laptop, you and your colleagues can all use your IUMs simultaneously without having any incompatibility or interconnection issues.
Once the IUM is paired to your laptop, you simply unplug it, shift the switch back into 'infinite' mode and you're ready to go!
Infinite Portal
So how do you use and control your IUM? Well it's simple really; the Infinite Portal provides you with all the tools you will need to do that. This user-friendly application is extremely intuitive and allows you to fully control the behaviour of your IUM. You can use it to set the maximum storage size of the IUM, to decide what file system should be used and to easily mark or unmark the files and folders that you want to make visible on the IUM. It even comes with a set of organisation tools to help you keep your shared content into an easy to use directory structure.
In addition, the Infinite Portal comes equipped with a full set of performance monitoring tools. These allow you to constantly check the connectivity status of the IUM, the transfer speed and throughput. That way you always know what's happening on your IUM no matter who is using it or for what purpose.
Ultimately, the Infinite Portal is a very powerful tool that gives you full control over your IUM so that you can decide how and for what it's used.
Product Uses
So, what can you use your IUM for? So many things! Think of the uses of a flash memory drive and now multiply them by infinity! Here are some of the most common uses but we're sure you've already thought of many more:
1. Next Generation USB Memory Drive
How many times have you been in the situation where you want to give your friend or colleague a bunch of files but just couldn't get your hands on the right flash drive to do it? Either your existing flash drive wasn't large enough, it was already reaching its storage limit or you had confidential information on it that you didn't want anyone else to see. In the end, you either had to sort through your flash drive contents deciding what to delete or you had to use the drive back-and-forth several times to transfer all the files. With the IUM these issues are over. You simply lend your IUM to your friend or colleague and use the Infinite Portal to give them access to whatever files you want them to copy. Whether it's 1 kilobyte of data or 1 terabyte, the IUM will never run out of space or give you any hassle.
2. DVD Players, Media Players, Blu-ray Players and LCD Screens
We all love downloading movies, trailers and TV shows but we all hate having to watch them on our laptops screens when we have a larger TV at home. The IUM solves that problem. Simply plug your IUM into the USB port of your DVD player, media player, Blu-ray player or new generation TV and you can steam all your movies directly to it. All you need to do is use the Infinite Portal to share your video collection on your IUM and you're ready to go. Just don't forget the popcorn!
3. HiFi Stereo Systems & Amplifiers
Our music must go with us at all times. That's why we have MP3 players in all shapes and sizes. But sometimes we want to blast those tunes on our HiFi systems without having to burn songs on DVDs or wrestle with connectivity cables. And since most new HiFi systems come with USB support, your problems are solved. Connect the IUM to your HiFi, share the three million songs that are on your laptop and they can all be played on your large stereo system. Just don't forget to keep the volume down so the neighbours don't call the police!
4. Video Gaming Consoles
Gaming consoles are rapidly becoming the norm for multimedia. Whether you want to watch a movie, play some music or play through your album of pictures. These devices are becoming extremely popular for more than just their video gaming features. The only problem is that they're limited by having to use media servers with them when you have a large amount of content. But what happens if you don't want to spend a fortune on media servers? The answer is simple, use your IUM. It will allow you to stream all your media files from your laptop straight onto the console. No wires, no hassle, no running back and forth.
5. Digital Photo frames
So you're back from your holidays and you have five thousand photos that you took while you were there. Now how do you transfer them all to your digital photo frame quickly and without hassle? Use your IUM. Plug it into your photo frame, choose your pictures, mark them as shared and they are immediately on display.
6. Printers
Most new printers have USB ports for printing from memory sticks. For those printers, the IUM can be connected to allow you to print your documents wirelessly. Just connect your IUM, share the documents you want to print and you're set to go while you're still relaxing on the couch.
7. Projectors
New projectors are slowly coming out with USB ports. Can you imagine being able to go into a meeting and not have to wrestle with cables and the screen capabilities of your laptop? Well that's what we do for you. Simply connect the IUM into the projector, choose the presentation you want to display and it instantly appears on the screen. How impressed will your boss be when you pull that one off?
Don't the 360 and PS3 already do this?
@tcc3 yea, they do a pretty good job of it, but i think it's a smart idea, and could work well for tv's and dvd players that aren't hooked up to your network, but let you play files off a usb attached device
@tcc3
Yes, they can stream content, but you are limited by DLNA/UPnP and what they can do. This just shows up as a regular drive to the console, even though the files are elsewhere.
@tcc3
Will it work with subtitled MKVs, now that's the question, or do the consoles od that already, now? I doubt it. Perhaps this USB device is better and faster than the console, for this purpose, anyways.
@excelsium the ps3, nor the 360 can play MKV's, it would allow you to play any other compatible format with those consoles though.
sidenote: if you wanna watch mkv video with sub's MKV2vob works rather well for ps3, and 360
@Keni no need for mkv2vob... just use ps3MediaServer, i like it much better than TVersity
@irfan ps3MediaServe lags awfully when forwarding using the ps3. Its still a lifesaver though.
The press release keeps saying that you pair it with your *laptop* and that it uses your *laptop's* wifi... I assume this would really work with any network connected system as long as it's accessible through a wifi network, right?
@adammhaile
It means that the data on your Laptop's HDD is being shared with the other devices. The software on the laptop handles the server end and the dongle makes it look like the data on your laptop is actually on a usb dongle.
I think :o)
@aamp
Yeah... I totally get that point. I was getting at the fact that they chose to use the word laptop, exclusively instead of just computer.
@adammhaile
Thats PR speak for dummies. Read: any pc with wifi.
it looks like they're all smoking.....
@skyblaze
Well then I am IN!
@skyblaze
From where I'm standing, it looks like they all got an erection...
@skyblaze
If that was a RRoD joke it wasn't funny... actually it was.
@alex7575 Red Rocket! Red Rocket!
Wow, I just realized it would amazing if the Roku HD-XR supported it using that random usb port in the back.
@mr703 although i guess they wouldn't even need the usb stick since it is connected to your network . . . blast
If this thing can support iSCSI it would really kick ass (especially if bootable)! Otherwise, let's at least hope that "from any Windows-based PC" doesn't mean "Windows" too literally...
@Tuxie
I see where you're coming from -- but think about it...iSCSI over WiFi?
You would probably get 20 MB\sec throughput at best...and I doubt they would make it bootable...and having a boot drive that can only do 20MB\sec and has horrible latency as well..? Not good :P
The question is, "Can everything else handle it?".
So what is this...This is basically a USB stick that is also a WiFi adapter and will connect to a share somewhere and then mount that as a local volume to the USB host? What protocols are supported?
Most TVs \ consoles \ whatever media devices _already_ support UPNP and even connecting to SMB shares, but -- like someone mentioned it's limited to certain containers and codecs...This is kind of cool, I guess...I don't like the name though "Infinite USB Memory" it's so misleading..
So your laptop has to actually be within Wifi range for this to be used, right? If that's the case then I'll just stick with my regular USB stick and my wireless router. Interesting idea though.
Any chance of some OS X love?
@martynmcfarquhar Hopefully not.
@John Doe
Why? What difference would it make to you?
I dont know a huge ammount about what use this might have for TV's Hi-Fi's and whatever, i guess it could be quite cool for those things.
However if my PS3 can play the media on the memory stick it can be played over the network too, without the use of this ugly USB device.
Seems like a device for people who cant setup media sharing to their PS3/Xbox. Remind me when it does something truely awesome.
Lol good pun guys, "your memory". It is those litle jokes that make me enjoy reading Engadget :D
Finally, a consumer grade version of the little dongles spies have been using for decades!
Finally. I can stream my wii games from my computer instead of running them off an external hard drive. :P
Can I plug it into my wife? She seems to have a bad memory of late.
Wouldn't this guy run afoul of Microsoft just like some other "unsanctioned" device manufacturers recently found out?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/18/forthcoming-xbox-360-update-locks-out-unauthorized-memory-unit/
@ArhcAngel: Nope. Microsoft already allows generic USB sticks, it's not like this somehow dramatically alters that paradigm.
Now, memory cards... those are a cash cow, and proprietary. That's why they locked out third party manufacturers from those.
The PS3 deals with network streaming devices and locally-accessible devices very differently (using completely different player, I believe). This could open up some new possibilities for the system to be used as a media center. For instance, if you have an AVCHD folder on your DLNA-compatible network store, you would only be able to stream and view the individual .m2ts, not the entire folder structure. If you have an AVCHD folder on a hard drive plugged into your PS3 via USB, the folder shows up as one movie file and it will play the entire folder as a movie (reading the playlist files, sub-titles, etc.). Perhaps this USB device can allow the PS3 to think that all of your network files/folders are on a local drive and utilize the different set of capabilities that that gives you.
As for streaming media, its not gonna make the 360 be able to play any more files than it could before, which is limited. I also got screwed with this because certain ISP modems dont let the 360 connect to home networks, so I gave up on it and got a Popcorn Hour media tank..it can play freekin ANYTHING all you need is a HD. Movie problem solved. Xbox is off all the time now..
Just read the whole press release, all the comments, and I'm STILL confused. What's going to happen when this is sitting on a BestBuy shelf and customers are turning to the average BestBuy employee for an explanation?
"Yes, mam. That's right. You put it in your laptop, and instead of storing the files on the stick, it routes them back onto your laptop" "I put files on it, and it puts them back on my laptop? Am I missing something?" "Well then you can stream those files to your media devices." "My what?" "You know what? Nevermind, check out these great deals we have on SanDisk flash drives today"
@sonicfury. Bingo
If it uses laptop's wifi, can i connect to internet simultaneously?
So how is this different than, say, any standard wifi network? Besides the fact that you now have some more USB dongles to keep up with?
Will the server software have built-in transcoding presets? would be an interesting AV installer product- all you need to do is install the server and plug in sticks to each client device.
Also, can you add files from the client? Example: rip source DVD on main PC to destination movie folder on server.
Would be nice to not have to deal with SMB.
Hmm, my 360 works through my network. sometimes i have to convert files so the 360 will play them but thats no biggie so this interesting device would be of no use to me unless i wanted to use a PC thats not part of my network.
But can it play crysis?
ehehh
@yode But will it blend?
@yode only at 800x600
@yode but will it run bittorrent?
I can find some uses for this, especially for work, hand these out for adhoc wireless printing. Good for the tv usb port too.
I'm not sure I understand how this would work with DVD/Blu-Ray players. You can stream files to them, but how will DVD/Blu-Ray players know to play them?
@Xax They would have to support USB playback
If it is inexpensive enough, then I would be interested.
However if it is $50 or more, then I will pass.
I wonder if it'll work w/ my desktop w/ wifi.