LogMeIn Cubby–is it worth waiting for?

While still available by invite only this product might have some interesting uses. So if it isn’t available to the general public why the big hubbub? They have increased the referral reward program to 1GB, twice that of Dropbox’s and they give you unlimited space for the files that you are sharing between computers. Dropbox limits your storage capacity to initially 2gb’s for the free with a maximum of 16gb’s for your referral rewards. Your initial allotment for cloud storage with Cubby is 5gb’s more than double that of Dropbox and with the sharing of the data between computers, the data that is shared is not included in your cloud capacity. I was thinking to my self that this might be competition for Citrix’s ShareFile product. One nice feature of the Cubby system is that there isn’t an ongoing cost. Citrix is based on bandwidth usage and starts at a cost of $29.95 per month. While this is essentially similar to an FTP service with storage in the cloud it provides a much needed capability of sharing files with others that are larger than what your email transporter service allows. This is something that we run into all of the time. For years I have been telling people about Dropbox for this purpose but this might be and interesting alternative as well.

For more details about this product read the Press Release below.

Press Release:

Since the beta launch of Cubby earlier this year LogMeIn has taken on board a ton of great feedback from fellow Cubbsters and made the cloud service even better. Cubby is the cloud data service to simply and securely share information across PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Android devices, or with other people.

Cubby is the first service built on LogMeIn's very own cloud data sync and storage platform letting people turn any number of PC or Mac folders into 'cubbies' that can be accessed from other devices, stored in the cloud, and shared with colleagues and friends. Cubby also gives people the option to simply share or sync an unlimited amount of information across their devices for free, and without ever counting against cloud storage limits.

So, to celebrate the next phase of the beta LogMeIn's Cubby now offer users:

• New referral reward program – offering at least 2 x the additional free space (twice as much as Dropbox) per referral of any of the cloud sync and store offerings on the market. Cubbsters are given 1GB of additional space every time they refer a friend into Cubby. Simply invite 5 friends and it'll double the free storage you already have (from 5GB to 10GB)
• Unlimited sharing of cubbies – sharing cubbies is half the fun of using Cubby and now LogMeIn allows users to share cubbies with everyone. Share your stuff with friends, family and colleagues alike for everyone to get the full Cubby experience and for easy and remote communication at all times
• Updated iOS app – the improved app is now available from the Apple app store allowing users to open and upload any file on the iPhone or iPad into Cubby. Also, open any Cubby file in other apps, like QuickOffice, Pages, Keynote, Evernote and even Dropbox
• Cubbies noted on desktop, explorer – now any folder that has been turned into a Cubby is marked with a Cubby icon when viewed on the desktop or via explorer to clearly mark cubbified folders

Looking for Cheap Phone Service–Try an Obihai Gateway

If you are looking for a effective method of adding phone service to your home, try the Obi100 Phone Gateway. The Obi Gateways all will work with Google Voice to give you free nationwide calling. You will need an Internet port on your router, power, and a Google Voice account and an analog phone. Starting at $59.99 for the OBi100, 69.99 for the OBi110 and $99.99 for the OBi202 it is a low cost gateway using internet technology.

OBi Technology

Do More with Your Phone - Do More with the Internet

By using the Internet, coupled with Obihai's state-aware, intelligent, secure, managed, application network called OBiTALK and our advanced OBi VoIP endpoints & applications, OBi users can aggregate and bridge services without the need for a service provider's intervention. With the OBi, you have the freedom to control almost every aspect and cost of your analog and digital communication life.

Stay In-Touch on Your Terms, Without Breaking the Bank

Given the multitude of ways and means by which we communicate with each other using the Internet, telephones and computers for conversations, instant messaging, e-mail and social networking it is clear that the currently available carrier services artificially restrict our ability and hinder us in our desire to stay in-touch with friends, family and work colleagues.

With the OBi, you can combine multiple services so that users can stay connected easily, without worrying about receiving a shockingly large bill from a telco or needing to cut conversations short, and potentially missing hearing an important piece of information or collaborating more effectively.

For more information take a look here.

Lenovo IdeaPad U310

Intel is pushing for the OEM partners to produce an Ultrabook at a lower starting point and here is one of the first with this lower price model in mind. A great machine for back-to-school purchasers this is a hybrid drive machine with both an SSD for the operating system and boot up as well as regular spinning drive for your data storage. With a 13.3 inch screen and 3.7 lbs weight and 7-8 hour battery life this is a perfect machine to be carrying around from class to class all day long.

When initially looking at this ultrabook you will see that it has more plastic involved in its build then most other ultrabooks, of course those units in the higher price range have more metal involved in their design. If you are on a limited budget and still want some of what this style product brings to the table then the Lenovo U310 series might be a good choice for you.

See the article by Dana Wollman of Engadget for up close review.

Nexus 7 Accessories

Engadget has posted we can expect two accessories for the Nexus 7 tablet that include a docking station and a smart cover. On the heals of the the Nexus 7 16GB version becoming available again on Google’s Play site we can start expecting a  docking station and two styles of covers being release in August. Already showing the case on Google Play Store the entry level case is just $19.99 and a leather one will be available for around $40.

ASUS is showing the cases in many different colors so you can let your imagination go wild and get the color you like best!

No prices are shown on Asus’s site but you can see the six different colors that are available to choose from. Of course I am so bland I will probably consider staying with the ugly grey one but who knows?

The Nexus 7 dock is a simple wedge design with standard 3.5mm jack plugs that you can plug into active speakers for sound. It has a micro USB connector for charging your Nexus 7 by laying it into the holder. It appears that the four prong connector may have a use after all. There isn’t any video output connector so we don’t have that available in this version, it will be interesting to see if that will ever be an option. Probably not because it doesn’t appear to have the circuitry to support that.