I’ve been using Fujitsu ScanSnap scanners for the last several years. I started with their ScanSnap 300M, and then graduated to their S1300. Compared to my old flatbed scanners, the Fujitsu ScanSnaps were able to quickly scan any size document or business card and with the great software that Fujitsu included with the scanners, I [...]
I am about to start a three part interview with LaCie’s Mike Mahalik, Product Manager and Sr. Engineer. I’ve always been impressed with the quality and the styling that LaCie’s products have brought to computer users, especially Mac users for many years now. The first of the three segments will be on the LaCie family [...]
I get a lot of gadgets and gear that cross my desk, my side desk, my drawer cabinet, my office floor, well you get the idea. Anyway, a lot of the stuff is just that, stuff. Then there’s that one gadget that you keep picking up and looking at it and looking at it and [...]
There is usually one underlying reason why computer users do not backup their systems, and that’s because it can be a confusing and time consuming process. After all, backing up your system normally consists of two separate functions, the media to back up on and the software that sends your files to the media. Then there is the long and tedious process of having every file backed up while you patiently wait.
Apple has tried to overcome this natural aversion to backup by introducing Time Capsule, a combination of their Time Machine software and built-in media on their Airport Base Station. The idea was solid, wireless backup for any Mac on your network. Unfortunately the implementation has had it’s share of speed bumps along the way.
Enter the Clickfree Automatic Backup solution. Specifically, the C2 Portable Backup Drive. This is hands-down the most simple and fastest backup solution, especially for laptops, that I’ve ever used. Here’s why. Simply connect the Clickfree C2 to your computer, and Clickfree’s smart backup will automatically find, organize and store hundreds of file types, and will backup only what has changed each time you connect. There is no need to copy and paste files or install software. You can backup multiple computers, Mac or PC, and backup files will be organized by the computer name all on the same drive.
Let’s start at the beginning. The C2 Automatic backup drive comes with a built-in USB 2.0 cable attached and hidden away in the back of the small, and lightweight drive. You can plug the drive directly into the computer with that USB plug or use a convenient docking bay with a longer USB cable that will sit on your desk and hold the drive for a more permanent solution. (The Dock is optional). You simply plug the drive into your computer and the Smart Backup Clickfree software walks you though the process of naming your computer and deciding what you would like to backup.
One of the big differences between the Clickfree backup system and other backup software is that you can easily and very simply choose to backup just your documents, music, photos, or specific folder. You do not need to backup the whole operating system or clone the hard drive. You just backup the files you need to backup. Then each time you plug the C2 back into your computer it remembers the choices you made and it backs up your drive automatically. You can also leave the drive plugged into the computer and it will keep you backed up as you go. With C2 connected, plug any iPod or iPhone into another USB port, and the C2 allows you to import music and playlists directly into iTunes.
Another feature in the Clickfree software is the Smart Viewer. You can easily transfer photos to
another computer. You can email or print your photos directly from the backup drive, and share photos to Facebook, Myspace, and Flickr.
Secure data with powerful encryption by simply entering a password. C2 uses 256-bit hardware encryption that won’t slow down the backup. Then when you have to have the information in your backup, Smart Restore is what you need. Smart Restore helps you to migrate files to a new
computer, or when moving from older Mac versions to SnowLeopard. You can also move files
from PC to a Mac. Then you can create DVD or CD backups using the burner on your computer without having to install or learn complex archiving software. Restoring is as simple and easy as backing up your files.
The C2 Backup drive from Clickfree comes in 250 GB and 500 GB sizes. The prices are $139.99 and $189.99 retail. These drives are light as a feather and come in High-Gloss Black and High-Gloss White. It’s a combination that any computer user will say is a simple and easy method for backing up their system and simple and easy means they’ll back it up more often.
If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you’ll know that I love the Flip Ultra Video camera. A pocket size, hand held video camera that gives you surprisingly sharp images and a nice audio output. How could you improve on a camera like this? Easy, you make it smaller and easier to use. Welcome the Flip Mino.
On first glance, the Mino is much smaller then the Ultra and rather then buttons, it has touch-pad controls, similar to the iPod. It has a few other changes that may excite you or may not, depending on how you use your Flip. Let’s take a closer look at the specifications.
As we mentioned, the first thing you’ll notice is the size. It’s half the depth of the Ultra with a slightly smaller height and width too. You will also be happy to hear that the weight has dropped to 3.3 oz. from the previous 5.2 oz. Some of the weight difference will be attributed to the next big change in the Mino. No longer will you have two AA size batteries to replace in the Flip, the Mino has an internal Lithium-Ion battery that should give you up to 4 hours of use between charges. This seems to be the most controversial change that the new Flip has received.
As of this article, the Mino comes in just the 2 gig model for 60 minutes of recording time and will retail for $179.00, slightly higher then it’s previous model. The colors are black or white only. The LCD screen stays at 1.5 inches and with a resolution of 528 x 132. It shoots 640×480 at 30 fps with a similar fixed focus lens. The only other change can be found in the pause, fast forward and rewind functions added to the Mino.
Using Mino’s built-in software, consumers are able to edit and share videos instantly from a PC or Mac. In addition to quickly posting videos on social networking sites, they can email videos and video greeting cards, create custom movies with their own music, capture still photos from video, save and organize videos on the computer, and new to the Mino, seamlessly order and send DVDs anywhere in the world.
I’ve been using it the last two weeks while I traveled to Michigan and then Seattle on business and I can tell you that the smaller size and weight made a huge difference in carrying it along in a shirt pocket or jacket. It’s so easy to pull it from your pocket and start shooting, I loved the portability. The results were what I expected, similar to the Flip Ultra and the sound seemed to be a little sharper then before. I’ll put some video I shot up on my Smugmug account for your perusal.
I am certain you’ll be able to find the new Flip Mino online at a better price then the MSRP of $179, but even still, I would like to have seen the Mino introduced at a price closer to the $149 price of the Ultra. Other then that little gripe, I see no reason for anyone with a computer, Mac or PC to not have a Flip Mino in their gadget bag. For most of your video needs, the Flip is perfect. It’s my only video camera, and I feel like I’m not missing a thing.
Technorati Tags: mac, video, camera, flip, ultra, mino, portable
Continue reading about You’ll Keep Flipping for the New Mino
On long trips, pre-iPod, pre-Sega Game Gear, etc., I used to bring along this handheld electronic Nintendo game – part of the Game and Watch series – called FIRE (youtube clip) . The objective was to rescue victims jumping out of a burning building by moving a stretcher back and forth to bounce the jumpers into an ambulance. Like other small potable games, this could easily fit in a pocket as well. It took two LR-43 or SR-43 batteries, was the size of a playing card, like the iPod Classic, but half the thickness. It had an “old skool” LCD screen and basically sported one game and a clock with an alarm. I played that game for hours during several long-haul road trips through the states, and a couple of times on flights overseas. I carried it right up until I got my first video iPod, and though I don’t take it with me everywhere now, I still have it because it’s completely addictive and wonderfully portable.
Continue reading about The MacReviewCast Lounge: Portable Games
