Home 2019 January

Kwilt2 personal cloud hub device review


REVIEW – Early in 2018, I got the opportunity to test the first Kwilt cloud device called the Kwilt Shoebox Mini that is primarily designed for storage of photos from your mobile device or other devices and access anywhere in the world. I really enjoyed it and jumped at the chance I received to test and review the 2nd version, the Kwilt Shoebox Plus. Now I have found myself in the great position of being able to review a new version called the Kwilt2. So, let’s get started.

What is it?

The Kwilt2 allows you to transfer/backup your photos and videos from your phone or tablet, and to have access to them and any other media attached to the shoebox from anywhere in the world and at any time, as long as you have internet access.

What’s in the box


1 x Kwilt2
1 x 16GB Thumb Drive
1 x Ethernet Cable
1 x HDMI Cable
1 x AC Adapter
1 x Informational Guide

Design and features

Specifications

Processing power: 1.2 GHz Quad-core CPU; 600MHz Quad-core GPU;
Input ports: 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x SD/SDHC/SDXC;
Storage ports: 3 x USB 2.0;
Networking: 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4GHz + Ethernet 100Mbps;
Video out: 1 X HDMI 4K @60 fps;
Bonus storage: 16 GB USB 2.0 memory stick;
Software: Android 7.1, Open source components, Kwilt firmware;
Device size: 4.56” x 4.56” x 1.18”;
Device weight: 6.6 Oz.

Features

  • Offload and backup your phone’s photos and videos seamlessly on the go;
  • Enjoy unlimited mobile storage sitting safely at home;
  • Keep original full resolution photos and videos;
  • Access your photos and videos from anywhere, on any platform;
  • Upload photos and videos directly from SD card to the connected storage hard drive using the built-in SD card input port;
  • Free Android and iOS apps;
  • Store and access any file type;
  • Easy photo and video sharing;
  • Rich mobile photo editing;
  • Play your photos and videos on your TV (via Kwilt HDMI port);
  • Directly order custom photo prints from your phone;
  • Web, Windows and Mac compatibility;
  • Supports multiple Kwilt devices per account and multiple users per device.

The pictures below show the ports on the sides of the Kwilt2. On one side from left to right, the ports are USB, SPDIF, AV, HDMI, Ethernet, and Power.


On one other side of the Kwilt 2, there is an SD port and a USB port that are input ports and 2 storage USB ports.

Performance

This Kwilt2 is so easy to set up and to start using that I was amazed. To start using it, you plug in the ethernet cable, the included thumb drive (Or any USB hars drive), the power adapter, download the app and that is it. Once you open the app and select the + sign to add a device, it finds the device, and the setup is done (As long as you are on the same network. I mention this because I have more than one network at home). It is that simple. You can go from taking it out of the box, to copying /moving photos/videos from your mobile device to the attached storage in under 5 minutes. It also has input ports that you can plug in any USB drive and/or SD card and copy the files and photos to the attached storage. For example, if you attach 2 x 4TB USB drives, you then have 8TB of cloud storage. For additional operational informationwhich is basically the same for all of the Kwilt devices, you can read my previous reviews here:
The Kwilt Shoebox Mini review
The Kwilt Shoebox Plus review

App

The following are some of the screenshots from the Kwilt app:








What I like

  • Built quality
  • Compact size
  • Number of i/o ports
  • Ease of setup and use

What can be improved

  • It does exactly what it is designed to do. I do not have any suggestions for improvements

Final thoughts

The Kwilt2 offers performance and expansion improvements over the previous models and it works very well without any issues. I love these devices because they provide a really easy solution for my own personal and dedicated cloud storage for my photos, and I can show them to friends, family and clients anywhere and at any time as long as I have internet access. The setup is so darn easy, and their customer support is A+. After my review of their first model, several readers indicated that it was just a Pi Raspberry OS in a box. I have to say that for me, it does not matter when it is already designed and built for me in one package and works perfectly. And with this model, they also include a 16GB thumb drive all for a great price. There is a more powerful version to the Kwilt2 called the Kwilt3, and hopefully one day I will get my hands on that version too. I give Kwilt another well done and two thumbs way up!!

Price: $89
Where to buy: Kwilt website or Amazon
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Kwilt

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Kwilt2 personal cloud hub device review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 14, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Pad & Quill’s new TechFolios will tame your cable chaos

NEWS – When you love gadgets and gear as much as we do, you sometimes run into problems finding the cables needed to charge those gadgets. Throwing them in the bottom of your gear bag isn’t the best habit because it’s hard to see and find them, let alone the fact that they can become damaged by kinking or becoming tangled on other items in your bag. One way around this issue is to have a dedicated pouch just for all your cables and little gear bits. I’m actually working on a roundup video of several gear pouches, and that’s why the new TechFolios from Pad & Quill caught my eye. These folios are designed especially to hold cables and small items. They are made of full-grain leather and are available in three sizes and are priced from $59.95 up to $119.95 for the Pro size. The middle-sized Classic version is available now while the other versions are coming soon. Head over the P&Q for all the details.

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Pad & Quill’s new TechFolios will tame your cable chaos originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 14, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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All Passport Covers has you covered with several cool themes

NEWS – I travel outside the USA for work a few times per year, and though I typically just shove my passport into my pocket, I’ve found myself wishing I had some sort of cover for my passport to protect it.  They I stumbled upon All Passport Covers and decided to investigate further.  Turns out these folks are geeks after my own heart, and carry passport covers in lots of themes, including Star Wars (It’s an older passport sir, but it checks out), Lord of the Rings (maybe one does just walk into Mordor), Marvel, Dr. Who, Transformers, and several more.  On the technical side, the covers are made from high-quality polyurethane faux-leather with gold-leaf printing, include RFID shielding, and have slots for 4+ cards and other items in addition to your passport.  Typically selling for $50.00 each, they are currently on sale for $28.95 directly from allpassportcover.com.

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All Passport Covers has you covered with several cool themes originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 13, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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YubiKey 5 NFC security key review

REVIEW – In a previous YubiKey review, I mentioned how we now live in a world where many websites are being compromised. Along with mobile authenticator apps available, using a hardware device such as the YubiKey is great for extra login security. I had the opportunity to take a look at the newest of Yubico’s hardware keys; the YubiKey 5 NFC. Let’s take a look!

What is it?

The YubiKey 5 NFC is a hardware-based authentication device that provides extra authentication over NFC (Near Field Communications). It also supports FIDO2, allowing organizations to enable passwordless login on a computer that supports FIDO2 open authentication standards.

Hardware specs

  • Dimensions: 0.7 in x 1.8 in x 0.13 in
  • Weight: 0.04 oz

What’s in the box?

  • YubiKey 5 NFC along with paper documentation

Design and features

The YubiKey 5 NFC looks much like any traditional USB device, but is flat and with a gold disk in the center of the key. It also has a keyhole to keep it on a lanyard with your EDC gear. I find it useful to keep in my backpack since I have it with me every day and keep it separate to my cell phone that I carry in my pocket.

Setup

Just like with the YubiKey 4 and other series, you can add this hardware key to tons of online services that support two-factor authentication. You can look into account preferences for an option along the lines of “set up a hardware key”. Then insert your YubiKey into your computer’s USB port, follow instructions, and all is set. When logging in, you touch the gold plating on the YubiKey to activate log on.

With this YubiKey 5 NFC, you can simply touch the key to the back of your phone (if your supports NFC). I have the Google Pixel 2 XL, and was able to set up my second Google account easily. I touched the key to the back of my phone shown above. It buzzed and then logged me in. It’s a little bit easier than using my mobile authenticator app, copying the password, and then logging into the site directly.

The software and services that support two-factor authentication with YubiKey are listed on their website. You can also use the YubiKey Authenticator for desktop or Android to generate OATH credentials on your YubiKey. Note: Since I already use the Authy Authenticator app with all my online services, I didn’t test this out. It’s also possible to log onto Windows 10 and all Microsoft accounts using the YubiKey. (Windows 10 version 1809 update and Microsoft Edge need to be installed for this to work.)

What I like

  • Extra security for most online services such as Google, Dropbox, most social media sites etc.
  • Durable, waterproof, and crush resistant
  • Fits on a key chain for portability

What needs to be improved

  • If you lose your YubiKey, then you’ll need to reconfigure all of your apps to use another authentication method
  • Expensive for a small usb device

Final thoughts

Overall, as someone who appreciates an extra layer of security in her web apps, I really love using my YubiKey. It puts my mind a bit more at ease when logging onto my laptop, work machine, or phone. I think it’s very much worth grabbing one if you can!

Price: $45.00
Where to buy: You can purchase the YubiKey 5 NFC directly via their website or various online resellers including Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Yubico.

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YubiKey 5 NFC security key review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 13, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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OtterBox adds some pop to their iPhone cases

NEWS – If you’re a fan of PopSockets one-handed phone grips but don’t want to stick one to the back of your phone, OtterBox and PopSockets just announced a solution that combines a protective case with the popular popup grip. It’s the all-new Otter + Pop Symmetry Series for iPhone. The combo includes a one-piece iPhone case that protects against drops and bumps and has an integrated PopGrip that folds down flat against the back of the case when it’s not in use.

Each OtterBox case comes with a PopTop in a color that matches the case, but you’re not stuck with that one PopTop because the PopTops are removable and swappable so you can always change up the color and style to customize the case.

TheOtter + Pop Symmetry Series will be available this Spring for Phone Xs, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and will retail starting at $59.95. Individual swappable PopTops will be priced starting at $8.Head over to OtterBox for more details.

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OtterBox adds some pop to their iPhone cases originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 13, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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