Pogoplug second generation debuts, coming this holiday with enhanced web interface

Nov 20th 2009
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Well, well, looks like Cloud Engines, Inc. is doing what it can to poise Pogoplug as a much more consumer-friendly device, both in hardware design and expanded web interface. The second generation Pogoplug solves one of our chief complaints of the first — namely, four USB ports instead of just one — while at the same time still sticking with ethernet as its sole internet connection of choice. It’s also much more stylish in design, with an elongated clear casing and a pink strip of plastic serving as the faceplate, stand, and the cable organizer. A bit bulkier, sure, but it’s certainly something we don’t mind being seen on our desk. As far as the new UI goes, it’s a simple drag-and-drop interface, multimedia slide shows (worth it if you have good taste in music, but the statistics aren’t in your favor), and options for instant sharing to Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace, via links to the specifically selected pogoplug content. It can autosync with popular multimedia apps like iTunes, Windows Media Player, and iPhoto. One nice bonus is direct playback of video from the interface — works on iPhone, too, but in both cases it’s a pretty low res presentation.

At $129, it’s a little costlier than the old model, but the company’s promising no additional service fees. It’s coming out in time for this holiday season. Fan of the first generation hardware? The good news is that it’ll be updated with all the new features, giving you the same experience minus the new style and extra USB ports. The bad news is, the older model’s on the outs — from now on, it’s a second generation world. We’re looking forward to some serious sit-down time here, but in the meantime, please check out images from our brief hands-on at an event earlier this week — press release is after the break, too, if you’re interested.

Gallery: Pogoplug second generation hands-on