AirStash works on webOS 30
One of the biggest complaints about the Palm Pre when it was first announced, was the lack of an SD card slot. Thanks to an interesting device called the AirStash, we may have a solution for the webOS. According the company's latest tweet, it works fully with the Palm Pre and and Palm Pixi.
If you can make it through the above video's strong iPhone content, you'll be able to see how the device works. Think of it like a wireless thumb drive, using a media server. Basically, the AirStash creates a wifi access point that you can connect your device to, and stream files from it. And rather than having a predefined flash memory size, it has an SD/SDHC slot supporting up to 32GB.
The beauty of the AirStash is that once you're connected to it from your device, all you need to do is go to a particular URL in the web browser and you'll be able to use an HTML5-enchanced web file viewer interface. In it, you can stream and download any files from the SD/SDHC card.
The AirStash is still quite a new product and as such, is only currently available in Canada and the USA. According to the company's FAQs page, the battery life can last up to 5 hours of video streaming, which isn't too bad.
There a few catches though. For one, file uploads must be done via the usb adapter (or via a SD/SDHC card reader), though a future firmware is planned to allow file uploading via wifi. In addition, it doesn't seem as though the wifi access point offers any sort of security, so other people could possibly connect to to access point and view your files.
If that doesn't bother you, the AirStash is available on their website for $99 USD.
30 Comments
LOL $99
Hhhmmm, early first post seem nice. Well, it seem cool to have one.
Sound cool but no thanks
Don't agree on the security issue.
From the AirStash website on security:
Safe & Secure
It's your stash of files and you want to maintain control! Keep all your files securely in your pocket and away from internet hackers looking to bring down the cloud. Wireless password access and streaming encryption (WPA2) keeps your stash private. When you want to share, it's your choice.
don't think so lol I can do that by using ma pc n is free n this dudes requesting $99 for just 32GB.
What do you use on your PC and on the Pre to do the same thing?
Actually,
this dude is requesting $99 just for the tech. You have to spend another 100+ to actually get the 32 GB card, which is not included.
Convinced to get one yet?
I think the AirStash is a wee bit smaller than your PC.
Cool idea but not for me. There is plenty of storage available for what i need.
early tech i'll wait until it is cheaper like the idea but dam high
This is kind of compelling. I don't know that I'll make the leap, especially since this iPad has 32GB (and, I'm considering exchanging it for the 64GB model).
We'll see. Hopefully, I won't forget all about it in the interim.
Contrary to this article, the AirStash does NOT work on the Palm Pixi, which lacks wifi capability. The linked tweet is correct when it says it works with the Palm Pre, Pre Plus & Pixi Plus.
That needs to be corected.
looks the same as zumo drive
My concern with this thing is that when I'm connected via wifi to it's access point, won't I lose access to the rest of the internet? So while I'm listening to music on the airstash, I lose access to email.
Pretty sure this thing won't work for me.
Why is that? I can listen to Pandora streaming on wifi and still check email
You can only be connected to one access point at a time. While you can be connected to your local WiFi and stream pandora, make calls, data, etc, when you connect to this device, you effectively have no internet connection as you are connected solely to the devices wifi.
That depends if the EVDO/GSM connection is still active to use or not.
Awesome! So it's just like having an SD slot on your Pre!
Oh wait... It can't write info (save pictures/videos taken on device to a card), only read. That sucks.
Oh wait... I can't use the internet while I stream media/files through this thing. That sucks.
Oh wait... I have to spend $100 to get a WiFi access point with an SD slot, and then another $100+ to actually get a decent sized SD card.
No. Thanks.
This is why things like Zumo Drive and Orb exist. Those are a lot easier to use and free (I know orb is, not sure about Zumo).
I think this is a pretty pathetic scam.
well I wouldn't call it a scam. I think it would be worth it if it was more compact and you could upload to it wirelessly. Say I'm taking a bunch of videos or pictures it would be really cool to have an option to save it in the device.
double post
Maybe Palm's next device will actually have an SD card slot.
We don't even know if it will have Flash.
I would rather use zumo drive.
Why would I pay for this when I have Zumo Drive!! Seriously!
It really sucks not having a MicroSD slot! Next Palm devices MUST have a MicroSD slot!!!!!
Every devices (except Apple's) has one!!! It will also help increasing sales. I don't understand how Palm can sell 8 GB only devices (the Pre Plus is only on Verizon) in a world where there are plenty of 16-32 GB smartphone like the iPhone 3GS, the Droid with MicroSD etc.
Palm, are you listening?????????
It's always good to have options, but as it seems we'd lose internet access it's too high a price to pay.
Also, a dedicated webOS app would be much preferred over the web browser and would be trivial to develop.
If someone already has a high capacity SD card (I have a couple 16gb) the $99 is not overly ridiculous.
If it doesn't have an SD or mini SD slot (for aesthetics, room, etc.) how 'bout just letting the Pre transfer data via the micro USB port?
You could stick an SD adopter into the microport and read the SD chip. Mostly I want the SD chip to watch videos or to expand my audiobook collection (since (*&(^^%&^% Audible doesn't have an app yet).
Being able to transfer data via the micro USB port would also solve the problem of being able to sync with Palm desktop on DESKTOP PC THAT DOESN'T HAVE WIRELESS ACCESS. I can use Echo to sync to my laptop via wireless. But it won't work with my desktop because it doesn't have wireless or bluetooth.
Not my flavor...
This would probably work really well for me: My camera uses SD cards. I'm away from the pc and I want to email someone a photo I took. I grab the photo using this thing, save it to the Pre and away it goes.