Cloud Engines continues to crank out the finest in personal cloud sharing devices, and the Pogoplug Mobile is their latest little bundle of joy. Ushering in a new look and form factor, the Pogoplug Mobile represents a fresh direction for Pogoplug hardware.

Unboxing the Pogoplug Mobile

Upon gazing at the packaging, it's immediately apparent that the look of Pogoplug is heading away from Pink Parkway and onto Blue Boulevard.

That isn't to say that the polarizing pink hue is going away completely, but that it's taking a bit of a backseat. One way or another, the packaging is nice looking and functional.

What's Different about the Pogoplug Mobile

When you get your mitts on the Mobile, it can be shocking how completely different it is from the previous Pogoplug V2 and Pogoplug PRO. Gone is the large size and the "ski" holding up the unit. The Mobile's form factor is much, much smaller, has a black shell, and a blue accent logo on the front. Pretty slick, I must say.

In trade for the smaller size, the Pogoplug Mobile sacrifices multiple built-in USB ports, and has only one. Of course, you can still use a USB hub, so it's not much of a downside in my opinion. In addition to the USB port, there is an SD card slot on the side--pretty handy for uploading photos on the go.

Using the Pogoplug Mobile

Functionally speaking, the Mobile works very much like a standard Pogoplug hardware unit, with the addition of the SD card slot, so it will be familiar to anyone who owns Pogoplug hardware already. The advantages come in the smaller form factor, included SD card slot, and alternate color. Plus, it seems to be a fanless design, meaning it's dead quiet.

The Pogoplug Browser

Also being rolled out with the Pogoplug Mobile is the Pogoplug Browser, a dedicated software package you can install on your PC or Mac. The Pogoplug Browser can essentially replace the Internet browser based application and run as its own app. You'll see a familiar layout with links to the various sections on the left, e.g., "Gallery" for photos and so on, and the content displayed (with thumbnails) in the main section.

I found that the app performs very well. It loads content and thumbnails quickly, faciliates sharing from right with the app in a right-click menu, and streams content with ease. Plus, it looks pretty slick, and won't require you to have a browser window open to get access to your content.

Drag & Drop... Plus Automatic Uploading

The Mobile also makes it easier for you to both add your content to your Pogoplug, plus protecting photos and videos you take on your mobile device.

To easily add a file, just drag and drop a video into the Pogoplug Browser program. It will automatically import the video, whether it is an original or enhanced video. Also remember that the software and browser clients have been enhanced with their latest versions, and you should see an improvement with importing and encoding from previous versions.

Finally, you can enable automatic uploading of photos and videos you take on your iOS or Android device. When you take a photo or video, it will automatically upload to your Pogoplug Mobile, meaning that your content will always be protected. You can set the files to upload on WiFi connections only, or on your cellphone data connection for the ultimate in backup protection.

Is Pogoplug Mobile right for me?

If you already own Pogoplug hardware, are happy with its form factor and color, and don't need SD support, the Mobile may not offer anything "new."

However, if you're new to Pogoplug hardware in general, it's a great way to dive in. Plus, if you already own Pogoplug hardware, you may want to replace it with the Mobile either to save space given its smaller form factor, gain SD card support, or have it blend in with your other electronics due to its black color.

Overall, this is another winner from Cloud Engines and an excellent way for those new to Pogoplug to introduce themselves to the world of cloud sharing, as an add-on Pogoplug for a home or office, or to gain SD card support and a sleeker form factor.