Whoa, we never thought of this as a potential use for a Pogoplug! Security researcher Brendan O'Connor, for $46 worth of parts, apparently, has transformed/hacked a Pogoplug unit into a super spy box capable of collecting data from virtually anything.

When you think about it, the fact that the Pogoplug is a highly efficient, mini-computer running Linux-based software, it seems like the hardware could be a good fit for a variety of special applications. (Of course, the software running on this hacked box is nothing like what's on the regular Pogoplug! Regular Pogoplugs don't collect spy data, they're just a great way to store and share your stuff. This is a pretty specialized hack.)

Says The Verge, "The Linux-based F-BOMB, or Falling or Ballistically-launched Object that Makes Backdoors, is designed to be highly configurable, capable of connecting to anything from a barometer to a GPS. It runs on AA batteries, and any data that's collected

Attention community members--if you're looking for the perfect digital gift for a friend or family member, or just haven't yet upgraded to Pogoplug Premium Desktop software, now is the perfect time.

Pogoplug is running a Black Friday/Cyber Monday special which gives a full $10 off--approximately 33% off the retail price of $29 USD, and brings the license price down to a paltry $19.

[Click here to get the deal before it's too late!!]

Attention Drobo owners--Pogoplug and Drobo have recently partnered up to bring attention to how they can be a perfect match for your storage and sharing needs.

Pogoplug Remote Access can instantly turn your Drobo drive into a personal cloud accessible from anywhere--plus, Drobo owners get double the space for their Pogoplug Cloud for free.

[Via Drobo.com and Business Wire]

Pogoplug Software adds your computer to your personal Pogoplug cloud, with no additional hardware required. Pogoplug Software aggregates all of the files and media stored across all of your computers (Mac or PC) or Pogoplug devices via Pogoplug’s proprietary OneView™ technology in one secure location. Pogoplug Software even enables you to share large files instantly and privately, without cumbersome uploads or email attachments.

Download the free version of Pogoplug Software from http://jp.pogoplug.com. The free version enables you to access, share and stream files and photos to the Web or your mobile device. Upgrade to a Premium license for a 2980¥ one-time fee to stream your music and movies anytime, anywhere. Pogoplug Software embraces the Pogoplug philosophy of “no fees, no limits” by letting you buy one license of our Premium edition for installation on ALL of your computers.

Pogoplug provides iOS and Android™ users with unlimited, instant streaming of entire media libraries. Stream photos from your computer to your mobile via Pogoplug

 Today Pogoplug has revealed their latest masterpiece--Pogoplug Mobile. This slick little guy packs all of the power of Pogoplug into a neat, highly portable format. 

Plus, to sweeten the deal even further, the new Pogoplug Mobile supports SD card storage, making it easy for you to transfer files from your digital camera, netbook, or other mobile device or use any existing cards you have.

Pogoplug Mobile is available for pre-order starting now for $79.99 USD, and is estimated to be available in October.

Official press release follows below:

Pogoplug Introduces New Hardware - Pogoplug Mobile™ 

Enables streaming of photos, music and video libraries from home to mobile phones and tablets, and offers automatic, secure backup of mobile content

San Francisco, California – September 1, 2011 – Cloud Engines, Inc., creators of the Pogoplug multi-media streaming service, today unveiled their first mobile-focused hardware product with a sleek new design. Pogoplug Mobile serves as a mobile cloud companion, freeing devices from storage limits by allowing users to stream entire libraries of photos, music and movies from their homes to their mobile phones or tablets. The device also enables users to share unlimited amounts of photos, videos and other content from mobile devices with friends and family

Attention Pogoplugged members--if you haven't tried the Desktop Software, you're really missing out. Your editor here uses it every day for business and personal use, not sure what he'd do without it, actually!

Right now, Pogoplug is offering a special price at only $24--which will give a Premium license to all of your computers, allowing you to stream media to mobile devices anywhere in the world. That's $5 savings, but only for a limited time! (Offer expires 12/31/2011.)

The core of the Pogoplug service has always been the My.Pogoplug web user interface along with the mobile applications--and recently, they expanded the service with the Desktop software.

Today, the folks at Cloud Engines have announced some awesome updates and enhancements for all three services--which all center around making the media streaming experience even better.

Web UI

The interface has been enhanced to include many new key features, under what is being called "Pogoplug OneView."

• Jukebox: Sit back and listen to all of your music aggregated from all of your Pogoplug-enabled devices into a single, duplicate-free library
• Cinema: Stream movies for easy remote viewing on the web or your mobile device
• Gallery: See all your pictures in a unified timeline, organized using the files’ original, rich metadata
• My Devices shows all of your Pogoplug devices and Pogoplug PCs and Macs, making it easy to find and share individual files.

Desktop Software

Looking for a different way to Pogoplug? Buffalo has recently come out with their popular Cloudstor home storage product, a sort of hybrid between a network-attached storage drive and a Pogoplug enabled device.

Right now, Buy.com is having a big sale on the 1TB Cloudstor for only $119 USD--that's a savings of $40. We've heard that it's only good for a few more days, so if you're interested, follow the link below and snag one for yourself.

Purchase a Buffalo Cloudstor from Buy.com

Description of the Cloudstor:

"CloudStor from Buffalo Technology goes beyond simple home storage. CloudStor is a personal storage solution designed with you in mind. It is your portal to freely access and share your data, photos, videos, music and much more with anyone, anywhere over the Internet. And because none of your data resides in the cloud, CloudStor is your secure solution to store and share digital assets easily and freely. With apps for mobile devices, you

Whoa, major deal on the horizon here. Buy.com is selling the Pogoplug Premium Desktop software for only $24.95 USD! That's a huge savings off the regular price of $29.95 and it even comes with free shipping.

Click here to buy now, or read the review of the desktop software to see how it can turn your computer into your own personal digital cloud.

One way or another, don't delay, as this price could end anytime!

• Purchase from Buy.com
• Read the Review

If you're visiting Pogoplugged to get an overview of what the Pogoplug hardware and software can do for you, this official video can help you get started. It's a full walkthrough of the products and services Pogoplug has to offer! Watch it below:

Here's some other resources to get you on your way to creating your own personal cloud.

• Comparison Shop for Pogoplug Products
• Pogoplug FAQ
• Discussion Forums