By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman
There is what seems like an endless number of cloud storage solutions for storing and sharing digital files but it’s often confusing, so most just keep their digital data on home storage devices.
Simply put, cloud storage has nothing to do with the weather. Instead, it involves moving digital files to an off-site storage location.
Typically, after you move files to the storage site you can view, share or edit the data on any computer, smartphone or tablet from anywhere.
After going to a demonstration recently by executives from WD (a Western Digital company) of the new My Cloud storage solution, I came away thinking ”this is a company that finally understands the consumer cloud confusion and has a simple, user-friendly solution.”
The hardware system makes it simple for professional photographers down to beginners to store digital images, videos or documents to the My Cloud personal drive.
Simply put, the My Cloud is hard drive device (available 2, 3 and 4 TB capacities) and is simple to set up. After your done, connect it to the Internet and you can access the files you store on it from anywhere in the world, all with no monthly fees.
My Cloud has a Gigabit Ethernet connection, along with a Dual-Core processor, which results in blazing fast speeds to transfer files.
There was a statement WD had in a recent press release, which I couldn’t agree with more: “Everyone is inundated with thousands of digital files scattered across multiple computers and mobile devices and controlling that chaos is a challenge.”
WD also supplied research saying that the average household will own approximately 3.3 terabytes (TB) of digital content by 2016, which is a large amount to control.
After you’re done with the simple setup using the WD web-based interface on a Mac or PC, the software will automatically detect the drive, enabling you to connect to it via the web from any remote location.
Using the remote My Cloud storage allows your devices to free up storage space, while still be able to access the files at any time.
I’ve had many people tell me a lot of the insecurity with cloud storage is you don’t know where the files actually are. In this case with the WD My Cloud, the files are sitting on your desk.
The system can also be used as a computer backup with Apple Time Machine or WD SmartWare Pro software on a PC.
Accessing files on mobile devices (iOS and Android) is a breeze using the WD My Cloud mobile app available for free in the App Store and Google Play.
www.WDStore.com 2TB $149.99, 3TB $179.99, which are both available now. The 4 TB will be available in November with an MSRP of $249.99
Logitech’s Z600 Bluetooth speakers ($149.99) are designed to be desktop space saving with a curved, vertical design looking like a pair of cool white vases.
Once you connect them to a computer or any of Bluetooth media source, crank them up – you’ll hear great room-filling sound.
The Z600 speakers can be simultaneously paired with up to three devices and if wireless isn’t your device’s thing, there is a 3.5mm port for a direct wired connection.
A USB Bluetooth transceiver also included if your computer doesn’t stream audio or support Bluetooth.
To switch between devices just press pause on the one playing and then hit the play button on the other and the speaker will know to switch over.
Setting the volume up or down is done on a touch panel on the top of one of the speakers, which is very responsive.
They are powered with the included AC adapter.
www.Logitech.com
The CardNinja is simple solution to rid yourself of a bulky wallet.
It attaches to the back of a smartphone and stores up to eight credit or ID cards.
Installation takes seconds: just peel off the backing and stick it to the back of your device. It can be removed easily if needed.
After it’s attached, load it with your cash, driver’s license and credit cards. In some case you can even use a smartphone cover to hide the CardNinja and your credit cards or whatever you store in it.
It’s made with a flexible spandex material and is available in black, purple eggplant or steel gray.
www.grandst.com $19.95
Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman.
2013, Gregg Ellman.
Brochures are ubiquitous in the financial world. They advise, inform, or drive sales. Most brochures are simply words on paper with some pictures and graphics thrown in to enliven a page or make a point. LPL Financial created one brochure that clearly stands out among the rest. LPL is a company with 3,000 employees, spread among three different cities. LPL advises the advisors, both independent and institutional. LPL recently created a thematic brochure looking ahead to mid year 2013, which takes advisors hiking over a meandering trail through the woods. The graphics play off the theme laying out important information in a highly stylized fashion. This is one of those brochures that even a layman can understand.
