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Google's new PhotoScan app makes it easy to digitize old prints
On the surface, Google Photos has a simple mission: to store all your pictures. Specifically, Google says it wants the service to be a home for all of your photos, and today that mission expanded to encompass the old photos you took on a point-and-shoot back in the '90s. The company just released an app called PhotoScan for iOS and Android, and it promises to make preserving the memories in your old printed photos much easier. Additionally, while Google was at it, it also issued several updates to its core Photos app.
Google Photos saves space by deleting images you've already backed up
Google Photos is a handy way to backup and organize images, and starting today, Android users are getting new features to help with the task. First, a "Free Up Space" option in the Settings menu will automatically delete photos stored on your mobile device that have already been backed up in the cloud. To make sure that you don't delete any copies that you might need on your phone or tablet, you'll have to confirm the action before it happens. You'll also be able to nix any photos stored on your device's SD card from inside the app so they won't continue to be visible there. On the web, you can opt for the smaller "High quality" setting after photos have been uploaded in "Original quality." Doing so not only saves space with smaller files, but those files won't count against the storage cap like the full resolution images do. The new features are hitting the app today on Android devices, so you should see the changes soon.
Picasa's Web Albums work again for some reason
Back in 2013, Picasa users suddenly found themselves being automatically redirected to Google+'s web albums rather than the site they were familiar with. Of course, in light of Google's subsequent announcement that Google+ Photos would be supplanting the Picasa service as the company's go-to picture-storage platform, nixing the older Web Albums made sense. Of course, Google once again switched its photo hosting app to just Photos (which doesn't require a Google+ account) late last month. Now however, fansite Google Operating System reports that the Web Albums page no longer redirects to Google+. What's more, its search feature appears to work as well (albeit only for your own pictures and videos). So, for now, you can totally go back to using Web Albums if you want. Though given Google's historically scattershot approach to its photo management sites, who knows how long it'll stay online this time.
Dropbox bolsters Carousel, eyes collaborative docs with startup purchases
Dropbox just debuted its Carousel photo management app last week, and it's already making strides to boost the software's storage chops. Today, the cloud-minded outfit acquired Loom: a photo storage service that became a popular alternative to Everpix and Apple's iCloud Photo Stream. The snapshot organizer provides users with the ability to automatically upload images from multiple sources (or folders) to a single repository, accessible from both mobile devices and a desktop browser. Of course, it synced over cellular and not just WiFi as well. Loom allows better organization and sharing than the first iteration of Carousel does, too. Dropbox's increased emphasis on captured imagery is already quite clear, but the company has other plans too.
Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums
Adobe's cloud-based photo storage and editing app has been enjoying its new name since it hopped off the Carousel, and now it's appreciating a feature bump too. Version 1.5 has just hit the virtual shelves of the Mac and iTunes stores, complete with a new UI and the option to log in using Facebook or Google accounts. Functionality wise, the update adds text captioning for your snaps and the ability to create albums which auto-sync across your devices and can be shared with others via the web. Alright, so the update isn't revolutionizing the service, but we're sure those that currently subscribe are reveling in it.
Sanho crams 640GB of memories into your pocket with HyperDrive Album photo viewer
Photo viewers have been around for centuries (give or take a few score), but few have offered the capacity and speed found on the HyperDrive Album. Produced by none other than Sanho -- the same dudes and dudettes responsible for those spectacular HyperMac batteries -- this here device is essentially a 640GB pocket hard drive meant to suck down photos from your SD or CF card (it plays nice with both formats) as you shoot; it can either lighten the load on your memory card or act as on-site backup, and it's reportedly capable of downloading 2GB per minute with full data verification. Better still, it's capable of decoding and displaying RAW images on the 4.8-inch display (800 x 480 resolution), and the internal battery will last through 200GB worth of transfers. It's available now for $599.99 (or less if you opt for a smaller / empty model), but don't even bother if you're looking for SDXC compatibility.
Ask Engadget: Best portable photo backup / storage device?
Coming to you live from left field, it's this week's edition of Ask Engadget. Once your done reading and replying (in comments below, naturally) to the question here, feel free to send us your own to ask at engadget dawt com. "I am looking for a portable hard drive with memory card slots so that I can save my photos onto it, straight from the memory card. It needs to function without the use of a computer. I have seen a few of these, but nothing name brand, and I was looking for some recommendations. A color screen to view photos would be nice, but not necessary. It doesn't need to be very large, 100GB should be more than enough." You're right Seth, most of these things do indeed come from relative unknowns. That said, we're sure a few of our readers have taken the plunge, so hopefully you'll find out who likes and dislikes the one they chose. Right, folks?
Nexto's NVS2500 archives your photos, dreams, and memories
What, you're still looking for the perfect place to archive your photos between candid, booze-fueled wedding reception moments? If JOBO's GIGA didn't do it, nor Digital Foci's Photo Safe, maybe Nexto's half-terabyte NVS2500 is the one you've been waiting for. It packs a 2.5-inch drive that can be as small as 160GB if you're so inclined, a 2.4-inch LCD, and of course integrated readers for just about every memory card format known to man. It can even write simultaneously to an external USB device, ensuring you never lose that precious photo of Uncle Saul scaring the flower girl with his dentures. No word on availability or price, but perhaps by the time the Smith-Fitzimmons party pays off its album you'll be able to pick one up.
Jobo unveils two new GIGA photo storage devices
Just in case you really needed yet another alternative in the portable photo storage drive department, Jobo is doing you one better -- introducing not one but two new devices. Both the GIGA Vu Sonic and GIGA One Sonic will download up to 1GB in 30 seconds, and both feature RAW decoding, up to 250GB storage, and a 3.2-inch color display. In addition, these guys accommodate all the standard media card formats, including CompactFlash, Microdrive, SecureDigital (SD), SDHC, (Memory Stick) MS, MS Pro, MS Duo, and MultiMediaCard (MMC). Prices start at €329 ($417) for the GIGA Vu Sonic, and €240 ($305) for the GIGA One Sonic. Available worldwide next month. Full PR and specs after the break.
Sanho introduces HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA photo backup drive
It has been some time since we've seen a new competitor in the photo backup realm, so it's with a great sigh of relief that we pass along word of Sanho's HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA photo backup device. The unit is capable of sucking down 2GB of data per minute and claims to be "the only storage device in the market that can decode and display true RAW images from any camera on its 3.2-inch (QVGA) color LCD screen." Furthermore, it orientates images automatically depending on how it's held, and the included data synchronization functionality enables the drive to sync information with another external HDD or your main rig. Oh, and it can understand 14 different types of memory card, so you're probably fine on that front. Check it out next month for between $339 (80GB) and $599 (500GB), depending on capacity.
Digital Foci's Photo Safe II takes the load off of your flash card
Digital Foci didn't go out of its way to drastically redesign the original Photo Safe, but we 'spose that's alright in the grand scheme of things. Essentially, the Photo Safe II picks up where its predecessor left off by including a multicard reader (now with 100% more MS Duo and miniSD support) which automatically transfers photos from your flash card onto the built-in 80GB / 160GB hard drive. The integrated display tells you at a glance how much space is remaining and how much battery life is left, though it won't show your stored photos in slideshow (or any other) fashion. A touch steep at $139 (80GB) / $189 (160GB), but that's convenience for you.[Via jkOnTheRun]
Sony intros the HDMS-S1D digital photo album
Have you been hankering for a central spot to store your thrilling, heart-warming family photos? Some easy-to-reach locale where you can pick up a remote, flip on the tube, and travel through a mind-blowing tunnel of memories? Well, let us introduce you to Sony's latest and greatest, the HDMS-S1D "Digital Photo Album." Coming off as a glorified DVD player with an 80GB hard drive and HDMI outs, the new device lets you store and view your precious memories, replete with a soundtrack of your choosing, and slow, dreamy fades between photos (thanks to Sony's x-Pict Story HD -- with face recognition!). How much would you expect to pay for such a device? How does about $400 sound? No good? well, you can't put a price on memories... can you? The whole kit and caboodle is available this month for your purchasing pleasure.
Jobo unveils GIGA One Ultra photo storage device
Just in case you really needed another alternative in the portable photo storage drive department, Jobo is introducing its GIGA One Ultra, which is available with a varying level of internal storage and a plethora of onboard card slots. The USB 2.0 unit promises transfer speeds "of up to 5.47MB/second" and is available with 40, 80, 120 and 200GB internal hard drives. Furthermore, each one is equipped with support for CompactFlash, Microdrive, SD, SDHC, MS, MSPro, MS Duo and MMC cards, and it even allows users to delete the data from one's card once the transfer is complete. You'll also find a two-inch LCD, battery status / remaining HDD space indicators, an aluminum casing and covered ports to fend off dust and debris. The new GIGA One Ultra is slated to hit shelves later this month and will run you €149 ($211), €199 ($282), €229 ($325) and €329 ($467) from least capacious to most.
Aska intros Tripper V photo viewer / PMP
Japanese manufacturer Aska is beefing up its line of Tripper portable storage aimed at photographers, increasing the size and screen real estate with its new Tripper V model. Available in 40, 80, 120, and 160GB varieties, each comes equipped with SD and CompactFlash card slots for transfers direct from your digital camera, and a pack a sizable 4.3-inch 800 x 480 LCD to view all those photos on. Of course, you don't have to save all that space for photos if you don't want to, with the device also able to function as a PMP, supporting MPEG-4 video and MP3 and AAC audio. Look for the 80, 120 and 160GB models to be available first on March 12th, with the 40GB unit following in April, retailing for between $340 and $680 depending on the model -- all available in Japan only, of course.[Via Akihabara News]
Wolverine's ESP 5160 PMP hits 160GB, stays bulked up
X-Men fans wouldn't want their Wolverine any other way than pumped up and ready to dominate, but PMP fans aren't exactly looking for the most inflated device on the block. Still, Wolverine's multifaceted ESP 5160 retains the rather bulky 5.3- x 2.8- x 0.9-inch enclosure of the previous (and less capacious) models, but bumps the internal storage capacity up to 160GB. Photographers will still be gawking at their offloaded JPEG, RAW, BMP, or TIFF files on the 3.6-inch 320 x 240 display, and users can also zoom, rotate, and view EXIF data in slideshow mode with tunes jamming in the background. Aside from offering up on-the-go slideshows, this hero also maintains its solid media playing functionality, handling MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC, WAV, and CDA on the audio front while tackling Motion JPEG, MPEG1/4, XviD, and WMV9 on the video side. Furthermore, you'll find a built-in speaker, NTSC / PAL video out, USB 2.0 connectivity, FM radio, a 7-in-1 flash card reader, integrated microphone, audio line-in, and the ability to record directly from a TV or camcorder if utilizing the optional docking cradle. So if you're looking for just about everything a non-internet-enabled PMP / photo storage device could offer, the 5160 isn't a bad option save for the size, but (literally) deep-pocketed consumers can snap this one up now for $549.99.
Jobo intros new photo storage, GPS devices
Jobo looks to be branching out from its trademark Giga Vu line of photo viewer/storage devices, today announcing the Spectator mobile storage device and photoGPS accessory for digital cameras. While the company seems to holding out on most of the details until the official debut at the PMA 07 trade show in Vegas next month, the Spectator appears to be slightly less of an all-purpose device than the company's various Giga Vu offerings, with no mention of PMP features and a considerably smaller screen. It will, however, hold plenty of photos -- available in 40, 80, and 120GB versions for €249, €299, and €379, respectively (or about $330, $390, and $500). Taking a cue from some earlier, less discreet devices, the photoGPS promises to let you tag all your photos with GPS data as you take 'em, conveniently adding the location information to the photo's EXIF file. From the sound of it, the device (pictured after the break) will also apparently work with any digital camera, although that'll undoubtedly be cleared up at PMA 07 as well. What is clear now is the price, with the photoGPS set to demand €149 (or just under $200) when it's released this summer.
Polaroid's CGA-02540 provides ClickFree backup for photos
For those aclimated just enough with technology to understand the basic functions of a point-and-shoot, but not intelligent enough to utilize a "My Pictures" folder or understand the concept of "one-touch backup," Polaroid's CGA-02540 is coming to the rescue. Designed for those who basically have a self-induced BSOD whenever they touch a mouse or keyboard, this 2.5-inch 40GB backup drive is programmed to work specifically (read: only) with photo files, and requires absolutely zero clicks to sniff around one's HDD, locate newly uploaded files, and backup only the latest pictures while leaving the originals in tact and in place. The ClickFree unit is so simple, in fact, that there's not even a single button on the enclosure, and if your PC sports a powered USB port, you won't even need to figure out how to utilize an AC adapter. Of course, clueless Mac users will certainly be in a quandary when trying to figure out why their machine isn't running "Windows XP or 2000," and we highly doubt 40GB is enough "for a lifetime of photographs," but nevertheless, the CGA-02540 should be available for purchase sometime this quarter for a currently undisclosed price.[Via EverythingUSB]
