Seagate Wireless Plus 1TB Review

The Seagate Wireless Plus promises you offline access to your important files and media content even without wires or Internet.

The Seagate Wireless Plus is a battery-powered portable hard drive that creates its own Wi-Fi network where you can access and stream content in real-time whether in your PC, mobile phone or tablet.

This is perfect for those who have limited space on their mobile devices (like my paltry 5GB usable space on the Nexus 4) to be able to have access to hundreds of hours worth of video or even thousands of photos on-demand, wirelessly.

What is it?

The Seagate Wireless Plus looks like any simple portable hard drive. The build of the drive feels nice and durable and could probably withstand normal usage even without a case. It also looks very professional too.

The 1TB space allows for at least 500 videos, 160,000 mp3s, or 190,000 photos all available in a secured and portable device. While connected to the internet, it can also be used as a wireless hotspot to share an internet connection.

Notable Features of the Seagate Wireless Plus

• Wireless Plus has its own Wi-Fi network, so you can wirelessly stream your media and files to your tablet or smartphone on-the-go and off-the-grid
• The free Seagate Media app for iOS and Android makes it easy to navigate and enjoy content wherever you go
• 1TB of built-in storage, which means you can load up to 500 movies or thousands of songs, photos and documents
• Allows up to eight tablets and smartphones to access and store content at the same time
• Wireless Plus creates its own Wi-Fi network, so there is no need for an Internet connection and you don't have to use your data plan
• Download movies and other media to your device, so you can enjoy your content later, when not connected to Wireless Plus
• Game consoles, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray players and other DLNA devices can access the content on Wireless Plus whenever you have it connected to your home network via Wi-Fi

The Seagate Wireless plus charges via standard USB and AC adapter which is included in the box. The battery life is advertised at 10 hours but I found it quite to be longer than that on mine (note: haven’t been able to use this aggressively as I would have wanted)

 

There is a battery light indicator on the front so you’ll know when you’ll run out of power. It also has a wireless indicator that will continuously blink until it has a stable wireless signal, only until then can you connect your device to the drive. Expect to see a network named “Seagate Wireless” on your wireless settings.

Mobile Apps

Seagate also provided the Seagate Media app on iTunes (iOS) and Google Play (Android). While both apps could still be improved, basic functions like streaming and file access is working as it should. You can also upload (backup) and download files for offline use (or when the drive is turned off).

I liked the version of iOS more as it feels and operates more stable than the Android one. I still think they could have made the apps better, feature and interface wise.

Stream simultaneously

Another great feature of the Seagate Wireless Plus is simultaneous streaming. It allows up to a maximum of 8 devices to access the drive to watch movies, read documents, browse photos all at the same time. The transfer rate of 8mbps is not that bad and even though when it lagged at times, it wasn’t too bothersome as it only happens once and after that video playback (HD) was smooth.

This is perfect for road trips where each member of the family can watch what they want on their own devices or meetings where members can access different files on the drive at the same time.

Supported Files are: H.264 video, MPEG-4, Motion-JPEG, Audio: AAC, MP3, M4a, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV, Documents: Microsoft Office, iWork, Adobe Acrobat (PDF)

 

The previous user of this review unit must have forgotten to erase and reset his/her password settings on this drive that I initially thought something was wrong with the device. Upon doing some search, I found out that a quick reset on the small hole behind the drive would do the trick. Be sure to have a safety pin or paper clip for this.

Conclusion

I generally like the Seagate Wireless Plus. It’s a simple, easy to use, portable wireless drive that functions as advertised. For people in need of extra storage space and doesn’t mind carrying another device in their bag, this might be a great option to consider.

iOS 7: Not the Apple-quality design that I used to know and like

I was actually hyped up and expectant to the iOS7 refresh interface after watching this video. I didn’t know I was about to get disappointed with what I was going to see.

Apple clearly left their glossy, skeuomorphic tendencies on iOS6. iOS7 was supposed to be a ‘new, fresh, redesign of iOS since the introduction of the iPhone’ back in 2006. It was supposed to take iOS into the next decade, much like what was touted for OSX Mavericks. Unfortunately it was not all ‘revolutionary’ or even ‘beautiful’ at all on Ive’s watch.

Icons could have obviously been ‘are you blind?’ better

iOS7 icons look like a huge pile of mess. If they wanted to move away from real-life representational icons, why the use of an actual camera? Would’ve the original iOS6 lens icon suffice and fit for just some minor improvements?

What about the colors? Why are gradients in different shades on some apps like Mail and Safari? The light to dark gradient on Safari is inverted on the Mail app.

Take a look at this concept design by Dribbble user Leo Drapeau. To the right is what Apple’s iOS7 icons looked like when it was shown yesterday at WWDC. The left one (click to enlarge) are Leo’s own quick take on what the icons could have looked liked. I personally think his are A LOT better than what Ive’s team did.

So, I kept the same design direction, the overall look and fresh feel to it, but trying to make it look more detailed, coordinated and just cleaner. Also, I kept the old iOS border radius for the icons (the new standard doesn't feel right to me), and also the old items on the right of the status bar. - Leo Drapeau via Dribbble

Helvetica Neue Ultra Light – Now we made Helvetica even 40% thinner

 

Thin typography screams breathes a feeling of lightness and simplicity. It’s obvious that Jony Ive likes thin stuffs but considering the mix users of iOS, (from iPhones, iPods and iPads) thin fonts, while looking good, present a visual challenge for small bits of information on screen and for the people looking at them, specifically the older demographic.

I personally prefer the way Google Now’s typography is helping break the flow of information into digestible pieces with varying sizes, thickness, and flow (italicized)

Glass transparencies and neon colors

 

Microsoft already did away with Windows Vista’s Aero effect on Windows 8. I have no idea why Apple thought blurred transparencies was the way to go for iOS7. Maybe just so they wouldn’t have to say that they went flat because everybody said so.. “Flat? We’ve got transparency and parallax baby”

Control Center (on the left) looks like a mashup of Windows Phone 8 icons and Android’s notification center gone bad. Is the Wifi turned on or off? What is that fat down arrow doing on top? It goes on..

Still in beta technically.

iOS7 is still in beta actually and is currently being seeded to developers. Things might change when it is released this fall but what they presented on WWDC was something that I didn’t expect from Apple. I even laughed at the crazy article that 9to5mac posted before the official announcement because I could not, for the life of me, ever believe that Apple would do something like that.

OF course, I would still need to hold and use the actual OS itself. Will reserve my final judgment till then.

Flashback: The time when Timex still made computers

This is Techolo’s new series called Flashback. It will feature old, nostalgic items from tech magazines, catalogs, wrappers… anything from the pop culture past. If you’d also like to share yours, feel free to email techoloph@gmail.com.

“72,000 color sound and under $200” – Timex Sinclair 2068

Timex Corp. known for its watches, actually made home computers back then when personal computing was rapidly growing in the early 80’s. Unfortunately, they were not successful with the Sinclair line and had to close their USA company in 1984.

Come to think of it, early computers were calculators. HP and Texas Instruments were known also for their portable computing devices at that time. Computers -they really actually computed back then.

Asus Computex 2013: Specs and Pricing

Asus announced a slew of new and hot devices at this month’s Computex 2013. In their “We Transform” press event, Asus Chairman Jonney Shih revealed an new line of devices namely the Asus Transformer Book Trio, Transformer Pad Infinity, Fonepad Note and VivoPC. Windows 8 powered laptops were also introduced like the TAICHI, VivoBook, VivoTab and Zenbook Touch.

ASUS Fonepad Note
Part 3G smartphone, part tablet, ASUS Fonepad Note FHD 6 comes with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 dual-core processor and 1920 x 1080 Full HD Super IPS+ display. With a display brightness of 450 nits, ASUS Fonepad Note FHD 6 can be used outdoors in bright sunshine, while front-facing stereo speakers with ASUS SonicMaster technology ensure high-quality high-definition audio. ASUS Fonepad  Note FHD 6 also includes a stylus for quick and accurate handwritten input.

ASUS VivoPC
ASUS VivoPC is a wireless media center designed to provide HD Wi-Fi audio and video streaming through a high-speed 802.11ac connection. Its compact design sports a spun-metal finish, ASUS SonicMaster audio technology and two USB 3.0 ports. ASUS VivoPC also features SATA 6GB/s and easy internal access for upgrades.

ASUS MeMO Pad HD 7
ASUS MeMO Pad HD 7 is an incredible value 7-inch tablet with an MSRP of US$129 for 8GB capacity and US$149 for 16GB. MeMO Pad HD 7 weighs just 302g and has a quad-core processor, plus a 10-point multi-touch 1280 x 800 IPS display with 170-degree wide viewing angles. MeMO Pad HD 7 also features ASUS SonicMaster audio technology, and a front 1.2-megapixel camera and optional 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. It’s available in dark blue, white, pink and green colors.

Read more new Asus products after the break

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Flashback: Commodore 64 cheaper than the iPad Mini

This is a first post of a Techolo’s new series called Flashback. It will feature old, nostalgic items from tech magazines, catalogs, wrappers… anything from the pop culture past. If you’d also like to share yours, feel free to email techoloph@gmail.com.

“If personal computers are for everybody, how come they’re priced for nobody?”

A lot has been done to make the personal computer cheaper and more affordable to everyone. I think the time has come for that in the form of smartphones. Even so, I think the top and leading smartphone price points are still a lot expensive specially for emerging markets.

Xbox One Revealed

So Microsoft just revealed the All-new Xbox One. The console, controller, Kinect and Xbox Live services was overhauled into a new design language with sharp corners and a boxy figure.

The biggest change for this next-generation Xbox is that it will integrate into your existing TV and can interact with how you use your television. Whether it be for watching sports, cable TV, gaming, etc. The included Kinect will respond to any voice commands such as “Show TV Guide”, “Go Home” and many more.

Xbox One Tech Specs

• 8-core x86 AMD CPU
• 8GB RAM
• 500GB built-in storage (non-removable)
• Blu-ray drive
• 802.11n wireless with wi-fi direct
• HDMI In/Out
• USB 3.0 (supports external storage)

• The new Xbox now supports Skype and improved voice recognition overall.
• The new UI also supports Windows 8’s Snap feature.
• The new controller has Impulse Triggers that deliver precise fingertip feedback for more realistic experiences.

More will be unveiled on next months E3.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xboxone/meet-xbox-one

Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 Review

Options for small compact wireless keyboards in the market right now are quite limited. When it comes to full-featured keyboards for desktop use, you only have three contenders; the Apple Wireless Keyboard, Microsoft’s Arc Keyboard and Logitech’s new K810 Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard to choose from. (see K800, Logitech full-sized keyboard)

Logitech Keyboard K810 Tech Specs:

• Compact and ultra-thin with a real brushed aluminum finish
• 3 dedicated easy-switch Bluetooth buttons that can sync 3 devices.
• Sharp, backlit chiclet-style keys.
• Rechargeable with supplied cable. No battery hassles.
• Works with Bluetooth capable PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone (with keyboard profile HID)
• Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows RT
• Supports iPhones, or iPads with iOS 4.0 or later and Android devices with v3.0 or later

Initial impressions

The built of the K810 is composed on part plastic and aluminum. Actually the aluminum part is just a slice of layer that is seen below the typing keys. (see image below) Beyond that, the construction is mostly made of plastic so it feels lighter compared to Apple’s full unibody Wireless keyboard.

The keyboard doesn’t take any batteries like AAA or AA. It uses proprietary built-in battery powered/charged by the included USB cable. It’s an advantage in a way because you don’t need to find a set of batteries to use it, a disadvantage is replacing the battery when it becomes dead in a few years.

Read the full review after the break

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