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The photo and video sharing trend, coupled with the growing use of high-definition video and higher megapixel cameras, means big files and longer upload times for users.
One way to avoid time-consuming transfers is to allow others to view files securely on a local hard-drive at home.
Opera’s Unite, incorporated in its latest browser release last month, turns a home PC into a media server, providing one option. Another is the latest version of San Francisco-based Cloud Engines’ Pogoplug, unveiled today.
The original Pogoplug, reviewed by Paul Taylor, looked very like a large wall plug, and consisted of just a regular plug and ports for an ethernet and a USB connection. Connect it to a power supply, make an ethernet cable connection to a router and a USB connection to a storage device and the Pogoplug is set up to serve whatever content is available over the internet.
To share a drive or folder with someone, supply their email address and Pogoplug sends an invite with a link to view the content through a browser on its website.
The new version has improved video playback - large files are transcoded and played in the H.264 format, plus photo slideshows with music can now be easily created and viewed.
The second-generation hardware is more stylish, with a sweeping pink cable holder, and there are four USB ports rather than one. The package costs $30 more at $129 and there are no subscription fees for using the service.
Some may still prefer the smaller-format original - it takes up less room - and Cloud Engines may have missed a trick by not providing an internal drive bay - there is certainly space enough in the unit.
There is another option - the Seagate Dockstar, reviewed earlier, which incorporates Pogoplug’s software and costs $50 less on Amazon currently. However, that is more suited to owners of Seagate FreeAgent external drives and the Pogoplug service costs $30 a year, after being free for the first 12 months.
Tags: Opera, Pogoplug, Seagate Technology
David Gelles, Joseph Menn, Chris Nuttall and Richard Waters in the FT's San Francisco bureau upload their views - plus tech insights from writers in New York, London, Tokyo and Taipei. The blog includes a separate section on personal technology.
The latest gadgets and gizmos, reviewed by Jonathan Margolis in How To Spend It.