Cloud Engines announced a new version of its Pogoplug that lets users stream media to their iOS or Android phones, or back up mobile data to the device. The $80 Pogoplug Mobile lets users attach USB drives or SD cards to the device and stream the media via the pogoplug.com cloud service to phones equipped with free Pogoplug Android and iOS apps.

Pogoplug Mobile is a dedicated, mobile-specific version of the Pogoplug Pro, the network attached storage (NAS) and media streaming device that incorporates Marvell's Linux-based Plug Computer design.

Pogoplug already offers iOS and Android apps for accessing Pogoplug media via its pogoplug.com cloud service. However, the new Pogoplug Mobile device is dedicated to mobile streaming, and offers advanced features including background backups.

PogoPlug Mobile

With Pogoplug Mobile, users don't need to spend money on expensive local smartphone storage, says Cloud Engines. In addition, with the built-in sharing features, they'll avoid wasting time and battery life sending media files to others, says the company.

Unlike the Pogoplug Pro, the smaller Pogoplug Mobile lacks NAS functionality or Wi-Fi. The device connects directly to a router via a gigabit Ethernet port; it then streams media from storage devices attached to its single USB port or inserted into its SD slot, a new addition compared to earlier Pogoplug devices.

Users who load up an updated version of the free Pogoplug iOS or Android apps can then instantly view and stream all the media stored on the Pogoplug Mobile, says Cloud Engines. Media streaming is also available via the Pogoplug's Mac OS X or Windows desktop applications, says the company.

In addition, users can share access to Pogoplug Mobile media with friends and family who have the same apps. The cloud service is said to format multiple versions of the media based on available bandwidth, and offer unlimited storage and streaming with no monthly fees.

Finally, the device lets mobile users drag and drop media to the app for backup to their Pogoplug Mobile via the cloud service, says the company. The backup is said to occur in the background.

PogoPlug Mobile with SD card attached
Source: SlashGear

According to a SlashGear hands-on overview and video posted from the IFA show this week in Berlin, the device is aimed squarely at Amazon's Cloud Drive and Apple's upcoming iCloud services.

Stated Daniel Putterman, CEO and Founder of Cloud Engines, "Mobile storage remains too expensive. Pogoplug Mobile solves this problem by providing an incredible streaming and at-home backup solution that turns any mobile device into a limitless media library. If you're an iOS user, Pogoplug Mobile will be a perfect at-home iCloud companion. For Android users, it's at-home iCloud for Android."

Availability

Pogoplug Mobile will be available in October for a suggested retail price of $80. Pre-orders and more information are available now at Cloud Engines' Pogoplug Mobile site.

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