PogoplugMedia Sharing Device - Remote Access to Your Media - Black

Bought this thinking I could use it as a Networked storage device that would allow me to access my files away from home. And while it can do it, it's not what it was designed for.Poor quality software and its insistence on slowly indexing every file make this product below acceptable quality.The PC/Mac software allows you to access the drives as networked drives, but the software's primary purpose is to back up media and documents from your computer. I didn't want to exactly have a backup (I keep a USB hard disk plugged in for that) and it doesn't do a Time Machine/Clone backup, just scans for file types and dumps them in its own organization scheme. If you have a Mac and use iPhoto or Aperture, it even backs up the thumbnails Apple generates, which causes you to have thousands of excess files.If you bypass the software and just use the drives as network attached storage, then you can get around this mess, but by default, Pogoplug indexes all your files which wreaks havoc with the drives and any manual backups you are trying to do.In short- if you feel like tweaking settings and not using their backup solution, then you've got a decent NAS that is accessible from any mobile device or computer.

I originally purchased a Pogoplug Pro with the intention of loading openWRT and running it as a test web server for various projects I'm working on. That was a very straight forward task, and I like the device so much so that I purchased two more of them within a few days, and a Pogoplug v. 4, which I just received earlier this week. I plan to use one for its originally intended purpose, which is to set up a personal cloud server-- one that can hold all the documents I always find I need but don't have on my pen drive when I need them. The device and pogoplug service makes doing this easy and convenient (and free once you own the device)-- no need to manually punch holes in my firewall-- something I can do myself, but not as easily as I can using pogoplug. I haven't had a chance to play with the pogoplug 4 device-- it appears to have a lot more potential, but if you just intend to do the personal cloud thing, I'm not certain you need all the power the device has. Assuming you can get a good price on a pogoplug pro, get it if it meets your requirement. If you want a platform for development, experimentation or play, pick up a pogoplug 4. Either way, the price of the device is worth it.

Be very careful. My device didn't work properly. The green light never came on indicating it was online, but it was. I registered it with them, the last step of which is to create your account. My account was created (I guess) because they have my email on an account, but I can't log in. When I ask for a password reset it never arrives, but it does recognize the email address. When I send a message to support I get an automated response that says to use their online forums, which pretty much say if the device is already registered there's nothing you can do but log in and remove the device from your account and re-add it. But obviously I can't log in. YOU WILL GET NO SUPPORT FROM POGOPLUG. Apparently their business model has shifted to their paid service so they just don't support this device anymore. A really sleazy way to do business.

I think this a great idea on it's own. Took a LONG time (48hrs+) in order to index my library of about a terabyte. Have had success streaming on an iphone. It seems a little temperamental at times. Also I noticed you need to have a good upload speed from your ISP or streaming video will be choppy at best or not work at all. It doesn't recognize my HP printer-but that is still a BETA feature...Overall I am happy with this product-especially for the price-and LOVE having my own unlimited cloud for free!!!

Good support via email not phone. drive mapping has to be done every 2 -3 days not sure why it drops off

Product claims to be wireless but you have to read very carefully. It is wireless BUT you need to have an internet connection. If you need to transfer files from an iPad 2 and do not want to be connected to the internet (which is very, very slow for this product), do not buy this product.Needs internet connection.Amazon.com was great in setting up the return of their product. On a scale of 1 to 10, I will always give Amazon.com 10.

i just got it and it really doesn't take long and it works good off wifi (cellphone). for my uses as a graphic designer and needing various files from all my drives this is great. i recommend it even if you just wanted to use it around the house for streaming.

Ok I bought the blue one thought this thing is cool. Then I see this pink one think this should be cool 2. But nope it is a pain to set up. Which I could not. Keep in Mind I just set up the blue one so I know what I'm doing already this should have been a breeze. I don't think it works.