ConnectedData
Latest
Transporter Sync: Making the cloud personal and affordable
Earlier this year, Erica Sadun and I tested a new idea for creating a personal cloud -- the Transporter from Connected Data. At the time, we weren't all that impressed with the device or its user interface. Our big complaint was that the software was quite confusing, requiring access to both a local app and a web interface to accomplish certain tasks. When compared to the ease of use of Dropbox, Transporter seemed like a total hassle to use. Well, Connected Data went back to the drawing board and today announced both a new device -- Transporter Sync (US$99) -- and a much more Dropbox-oriented solution to a personal cloud. The idea of Transporter is that you can create your own "cloud" by taking network-attached storage and syncing it with similar units at the office, at a relative's home, or basically anywhere else offsite. The files are available from any connected device, whether it's an iPhone, a Mac or a PC, and the syncing capability provides offsite storage. The original Transporter unit included a built-in 1 TB or 2 TB drive, while the new Transporter Sync unit lets you use any external drive. Considering that new 4 TB bare drives are available for as little as $150, this means that for $249 you can have a good amount of cloud storage with no monthly or annual fee. By comparison, if you want just 500 GB of Dropbox storage, you're going to be billed $499 annually. The Transporter Sync is a tiny little device, but with the availability of inexpensive external disk drives, it can provide a mountain of storage in the cloud. The device is a small, truncated cone with a power connection, a USB 2.0 connector and an Ethernet connector. Plug it into power, connect it to your USB 3.0 or 2.0 external disk drive, and then connect it to your router, and you're ready to share your data securely while you're on the road and sync with another Transporter Sync remotely for cloud backup. I'm wondering why Connected Data chose to go with the slower USB 2.0 port, but it could be that the network connection is the real bottleneck to throughput, not the connection to the drive. Connected Data, which recently merged with big storage provider Drobo, sees a big future for this small device. The company notes that the average household now has about 2.2 TB of content -- music, videos, apps, documents, etc. -- and surveys show that most would be happy to spend about $200 per year to protect that data. For Dropbox users, you'll be happy to know that you can use Dropbox and the Transporter Sync simultaneously and that the user interface on the Mac is almost identical to what you see with Dropbox: On an iPad or Android tablet, you'll see a simple representation of the files that are being shared in the cloud: All in all, it appears that Connected Data really listened to the feedback that they received from both the tech press and from early adopters who backed the company's Kickstarter funding project. We look forward to testing the Transporter Sync soon, and will provide readers with our assessment of how the new device and software work. Show full PR text New Transporter Sync Delivers Convenience of Dropbox for All Your Data, With Total Privacy And No Monthly Fees – For Only $99 Transporter Delivers First Unlimited, Private Cloud Storage Device for All of Your Photos, Music, Movies and Documents SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Oct. 29, 2013 – When it comes to digital data, nothing is more important to consumers than their photos, videos and personal documents. Keeping them safe, easily accessible from every device, or sharing them with family and friends has always been an expensive and complicated proposition. Until now. Just in time for the holidays comes Transporter Sync, a new and simple way to sync, access, protect and share everything important. The latest addition to the award-winning Transporter family of private cloud storage products, Transporter Sync automatically synchronizes data across your phones, tablets and computers. Now photos, videos, documents, music and more can live in your own protected, completely private cloud for a one time cost of $99 USD – with none of the recurring fees associated with expensive, subscriber-based services. Free iPhone, iPad and Android apps make on-the-go access easier than ever. "Families and businesses are finding it more and more difficult to synchronize data across all of their computers and mobile devices," said Geoff Barrall, CEO and Founder of Connected Data. "With Transporter Sync, we provide an affordable and simple way for them to protect, share and access what matters most, with total privacy, a low one-time price and no hidden monthly fees." Transporter Sync allows users to access their data from all their devices without moving it to the public cloud. This ensures that everything on Transporter Sync is protected and private giving them full control over who has access to family photos and personal videos. It can be used as a stand-alone device, or together with other Transporters to form a powerful private network. "Millions of consumers enjoy the conveniences of the cloud, but stop short of using it for everything, because of factors such as cost and privacy," said Tom Coughlin, President of Analyst and Consulting firm, Coughlin Associates. "Transporter Sync creates a new model to deliver the promise of 'everything, everywhere' cloud storage without monthly fees, while providing this universal access in a private and secure environment." Retailing for $99 USD and without monthly fees, Transporter Sync works with any standard USB external hard drive. Available from Connected Data, Amazon, B&H Photo and Newegg in time for the upcoming holiday season, Sync is the perfect gift for everyone on your list. About Connected Data Connected Data is focused on providing elegantly designed solutions for consumers, professionals, and small businesses to privately share, access, and protect their data. The Connected Data team consists of the same professionals responsible for the popular Drobo storage array and the creation of the high performance BlueArc Silicon Server. Connected Data is privately funded and based in San Jose, California. For more information, visit www.connecteddata.com.
Transporter Sync turns your external hard drive into a personal, secure cloud locker
The folks at Connected Data made a splash back in May with Transporter v2.0, and they've just announced their second foray into the wonderful world of cloud storage with the Transporter Sync. Like its slightly larger predecessor, Sync offers Dropbox-like functionality without users having to shackle themselves to costly subscription fees. However, unlike its elder, which has a 2.5-inch drive inside, the Sync lets you use whatever external HDD you like, as long as it's no larger than 4TB and connects via USB. This new Transporter option comes courtesy of consumer feedback: folks wanted to pay less, have more storage and be able to use their existing HDDs in their Transporter network. So, Connected Data set to work, swapping in a new chipset to facilitate connecting drives via USB, lopping off all the extraneous bits formerly needed to mount a drive in the device, and making the necessary firmware tweaks to make it work As its name indicates, this compact storage unit synchronizes with a variety of devices, so you can transition between working on your computer, smartphone or tablet with the aid of the Transporter iOS and Android apps. What makes Transporter, old and new, stand out is an emphasis on privacy, a word that's become all the rage in an increasingly wary consumer market. All of your data is saved locally, and by circumventing the need for a public cloud, the company claims that your precious files are as safe as houses. Sync will be available for $99 in the US or £89 in the UK in the next few weeks.
Connected Data announces Transporter v2.0, focuses on user experience and mobile apps
It's been an exciting couple days for the folks at Connected Data. After entering into a merger agreement with Drobo yesterday, the company's just announced Transporter v2.0 -- the latest software for its cloud-aware NAS. To jog your memory, Transporter is a device that lets you share data online, Dropbox-style, without a subscription fee. It was launched on Kickstarter last year and priced at $199 for the basic hardware (BYO hard drive), $299 for 1TB and $399 for 2TB. Version 2.0 brings major user experience improvements on Mac and PC thanks to better integration with Finder and Windows Explorer, including right-click and drag-and-drop functionality. Users can now easily share links to their files and choose how their folders are synced (locally or remotely). The update includes new mobile apps which provide remote Transporter access and management from any iOS or Android device. Connected Data also made firewall support more robust for users regardless of their network environment. Transporter v2.0 will launch sometime in June -- hit the break for the full PR.
Connected Data to merge with Drobo, bring Transporter features to Drobo products
Connected Data, maker of Transporter, just announced that it's entered into a merger agreement with Drobo. As a refresher, Transporter is a cloud-synced file sharing appliance that provides Dropbox-like functionality without the recurring subscription costs. Drobo's best known for its Ethernet, Thunderbolt, FireWire and USB-based multi-drive storage devices which offer seamless expandability. Presumably we'll start seeing some of Connected Data's file sharing features in upcoming Drobo products. The two companies have 30 days to finalize the merger process and perhaps even come up with a clever new brand -- we vote for DroboPorter ourselves. PR after the break.
Transporter now shipping to Kickstarters, on pre-sale from retailers
Late last year Connected Data's Transporter, a private peer-to-peer storage solution, was revealed to the world through a Kickstarter campaign. Shortly thereafter we got to see the thing in person, and today those who funded Transporter will be happy to know that the company has begun fulfilling those orders. Not only that, folks who didn't go the Kickstarter route can pre-order a Transporter (or two) from Adorama and Datavision currently, an you'll be able to get one from Amazon, B&H Photo, J&R or PC Mall in the very near future. Interested? Prices start at $199 should you wish to supply your own 2.5-inch HDD, but those who don't want to go the BYOD route can get a 1TB drive thrown in for 100 bucks more, and a 2TB version can be had for $399.
