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Sony Combines Pocket Drive with 802.11
Ernest writes "They presented this at Net&Com 2003 in Tokyo. I've found this announcement in German at ComputerWoche
Sony selected Linux as the file server's operating system. They'll start selling this little 390 gram thing on the japanese market at the end of March for 585$. Inside is a 20GB 2.5" disk of which (only) 17GB will be available for files."
Here's the babelfish translation
Sony announces WiFi Fileserver in the milling one format 05.02.2003 at 11:00 o'clock MUNICH (COMPUTER WEEK) - Japanese electronics company Sony has a portable file server presented which, which kommunziert over Wireless LAN with PCS and PDAs. The "Fsv-pg1" works with a Linux based operating system and contains a 20-GB-Festplatte in the 2,5-Zoll-Format, 17 GB of it is available for user data. The equipment fits with masses of 83 x 155 x of 31 millimeters loosely into a hand and weighs 390 gram. For the enterprise all thing a power pack is necessary, the internal Akku serves only for baking UP purposes. The inserted ACCESS POINT (IEEE 802.11b) can serve according to manufacturer up to 250 users at the same time. Access to the stored files is possible over ftp, CIFS (Common InterNet file system) or NFS. By a Ethernet Cradle available as accessories the equipment can connect accessing Clients by WLAN in addition with the InterNet. As safety functions the Fsv-pg1 incoming inspection coding with alternatively 64 or 128 bits offers, stored files can by password be protected. On the Net & Com 2003 in Tokyo the equipment is presented today to the public for the first time. It is to come at the end of March for converted 585 dollar on the Japanese market, the Cradle costs again scarcely 60 dollar. Whether and when the equipment appears also in this country, is not well-known. (tc)
Hack = Sony iPod?
R4NT.com - A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.
Is that 17 gig's of porn on a 2.5" form-factor harddrive in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
Mac freaks have been speculating that the iPod will get 802.11 for a long time now... and sony beats them to it.
I wonder how customizable the Linux install is. This type of device will be very usefull with ZeroConf. Any services it provides (mp3, divx streaming...) will automagically appear as soon as it joins the network. yippee.
What could possibly take up 3 gigs? C'mon, it's not the OS, they're using Linux. What else are they hiding on that drive that's using so much space?
Work sucked, until it became unemployment, when it became slightly more tolerable. -Tet
This is great -- basically a network storage appliance, without the wires. I wonder how the battery life is, although I suspect it's good for a few hours (similar to iPod).
... or in a location that hasn't been fully wired.
I'm definitely interested. I work with lots of people who are WiFi capable and need storage larger than CF cards. It seems like this could be a very handy device for independent consultants and developers on the move
Hmm. I'd like to see this in the US.
I think that sony has jumped the gun, they choose a technology limited to 11mbps. if anyone would try and do large transfers they are going to take a really long time. I hope that sony starts looking to add either 802.11a or 802.11g
Indeed it is available, with a version for Linux -- no porting required.
http://developer.apple.com/macosx/rendezvous/
I think this would make the pocket drive a truly must-have product for me.
In any field, find the strangest thing and then explore it. -John Archibald Wheeler
Carry it around as a mobile classroom: serve up notes, audio, video of your presentation when and where you give it. No more "I'll email you my presentation when I get back to the office" stuff.
You could hide one of these things in an airport or some other public place and use it to broadcast advertisements in the form of SSID and/or a 192.168.*.* intranet web site to anyone stumbling for accesspoints. Imagine a bus or taxicab service giving out dispatcher phone numbers or transportation rates. Suddenly advertising in an airport terminal isn't quite so expensive.
http://tinyurl.com/4ny52
It doesn't run continuously on battery - the battery is only there for UPS functionality (I'm guessing maybe 10-15min battery life, just enough for you to pull out the power cord, walk over to the new location, and plug it in again).
Well, they are Japanese...
Second, $585?!? Get outta here.
Well, they are Japanese...
The ______ Agenda
Sony delivers a walkman format WiFi-Fileserver
Munich(ComputerWoche) - Sony, the Japanese electronics firm have demonstrated a portable fileserver, that can connect to PCs and PDAs using Wireless LAN (protocol). The FSV-PG1 works with a linux based operating system, and has a 2.5 inch 20 GB harddrive, 17 GB of which are available to the user. The device , which is 83x155x31 millimeters fits neatly in your hand, and weighs 390 Gramms. It requires an external powersupply - the internal battery is only for backup use.
The built in access point (IEEE 802.11b) can, according to sony, server up to 250 users at a time. Access to the data is possible via FTP, CIFS or NFS. There is also an ethernet-cradle available as an accessory which enables standard ethernet connections. Security is dealt with via 64 or 128 bit WEP. Saved data is protected via passwords.
The devices will be publicly presented for the first time at the Net&Com 2003, Tokyo show. It should be available in Japan at the end of March for approximately 585 dollars, the Ethernet-Cradle costing approximately 60 Dollars. If and when the device will be available here (Germany) remains to be seen.
tom-george.comBecause geeks rate higher t