Pogoplug FAQ

Still getting to know your Pogoplug? Or are you delving a little deeper to find even more functionality? You can check in the forums and read articles, as well as post your own question. Pogoplug also has an official help page for you to peruse.
Looking to purchase Pogoplug? Click here.
Pogoplug Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 08/31/2010)
- What exactly is a Pogoplug? What benefits can it provide for me?
- Is Pogoplug powerful enough for me to use in my professional life too?
- How long has Pogoplug been around?
- What do I need for a Pogoplug to work? Do I need a computer? Does my computer always need to be on? Are my Pogoplug and hard drive always on?
- Do I need to have high speed Internet to use Pogoplug?
- Can I use Pogoplug over a wireless connection?
- How long does it take to set up the Pogoplug?
- How do I know if Pogoplug will work with my drive?
- What drive formats will work with my Pogoplug?
- Can I access and share different types of file formats? What can I share?
- What format of music can I stream from Pogoplug?
- What picture formats can I view on my Pogoplug?
- What types of video can I stream on my Pogoplug?
- Is my information secure?
- Can I attach multiple drives to my Pogoplug?
- Can I use multiple Pogoplugs at once?
- How do I know if Pogoplug will work with my home network?
- Can I use my Pogoplug outside of the US?
- Can I hook up a Pogoplug in a location outside of the US?
- Can I access my Pogoplug with my mobile phone?
- Who can have access to my Pogoplug?
- Is Pogoplug compatible with USB thumb drives?
- Is Pogoplug compatible with printers?
- Can I plug anything else into my Pogoplug?
- Do I need to use any special software with my Pogoplug?
- Can I access my Pogoplug drive from my office? Or my motel room? Or my friends house?
- How can I share my photos or videos with people?
- Can I share via email?
- How does Pogoplug handle documents?
- Can I use the Pogoplug for backup?
- Can I make redundant backups?
- Can I stream to my game console?
- What is the warranty on Pogoplug?
- I'm still having trouble. How do I get support?
- Where can I purchase a Pogoplug, and how much does it cost? Do I have to pay any additional fees?
- How much electricity does Pogoplug use?
What exactly is a Pogoplug? What benefits can it provide for me?
Well, have you ever tried to share files online, or access your files remotely from your home? It can be pretty difficult, requiring you to open ports on your router, delve into messy settings, or expose your private data in the online cloud.
Pogoplug is a solution for that, allowing you to easily access files on an attached hard drive, from anywhere, over the Internet - without having to struggle with confusing settings. You can share files, listen to music, and even stream video.
Setup of the Pogoplug is extremely easy - simply plug it into the wall, attach your network cable and USB storage drive, register your Pogoplug on the My.Pogoplug.com service, and you're all set to go!
For more information, pictures, screenshots, and more - see the community review of the Pogoplug.
Is Pogoplug powerful enough for me to use in my professional life too?
Of course - Pogoplug is robust, full of features, secure, and easy to use. Many community members have used and are using the Pogoplug for their small offices, in-home businesses, creative sharing, consulting work, you name it. If you need an even more robust solution, the Pogoplug Biz model is specially built with a unique suite of features designed for business use.
How long has Pogoplug been around?
Pogoplug was first introduced in January 2008 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
What do I need for a Pogoplug to work? Do I need a computer? Does my computer always need to be on? Are my Pogoplug and hard drive always on?
Pogoplug requires a router, external USB 2.0 hard drive, internet connection and a one time activation on a computer. Pogoplug requires a computer for initial setup and access to a web browser. The Pogoplug operates independently from your PC, so your comptuer does not always have to be on for the Pogoplug to function. Your Pogoplug and connected drive(s) are always on.
Do I have to have high speed Internet to use Pogoplug?
Although high speed internet is not required, we highly recommend it. Streaming video, music and pictures smoothly requires a higher bandwidth which dial-up and slower internet connections can not accommodate.
Can I use Pogoplug over a wireless connection?
Yes! Pogoplug has a wireless USB extender available that you can use to enable Pogoplug for use on your wireless network.
How long does it take to set up the Pogoplug?
Pogoplug takes less than 60 seconds to set up.
How do I know if Pogoplug will work with my drive?
Pogoplug is compatible with any external USB 2.0 hard drive or memory stick. The only thing you can't plug into your Pogoplug is a 3.5” floppy disk!
What drive formats will work with my Pogoplug?
Drives formatted with NTFS, FAT32, HFS+ (journaled and non-journaled) and EXT-2/EXT-3 are fully supported by Pogoplug.
Can I access and share different types of file formats? What can I share?
Yes, any format that is stored on your hard drive can be accessed via Pogoplug. Windows or Mac files can be shared on the same drive. Any file or folder on your external USB 2.0 hard drive can be shared using the Pogoplug.
What formats of music can I stream on Pogoplug?
Pogoplug supports MP3 and M4P formats.
What picture formats can I view on my Pogoplug?
Pogoplug will store any file format but only JPEG, PNG, and Gif will be viewable with the thumb nail viewer and slideshow without resizing .
What types of video can I stream from my Pogoplug?
Pogoplug will store all video formats but only supports H.264, MP4 and AVI with motion JPEG for streaming.
Is my information secure?
Pogoplug uses HTTP encryption along with secure user name and password requirements. Pogoplug does not store your content, your content is stored on your external hard drive located in your home or office.
Can I attach multiple drives to my Pogoplug?
Yes! Use a USB hub with your Pogoplug V1 and you can attach multiple hard drives that all show up under your account. The Pogoplug V2 (which replaces the original V1) contains 4 USB ports for hooking up multiple drives.
Can I use multiple Pogoplugs at once?
Yes. If you have more than one Pogoplug linked to your account, drives on each Pogoplug will show up in your My.Pogoplug interface as if they were all in the same place. You can even search globally for files stored on any drive attached to any Pogoplug.
How do I know if Pogoplug will work with my home network?
Pogoplug works with most consumer home networking equipment. If you have a business-grade router in the home, you may need to manually adjust some network settings.
Can I use my Pogoplug outside of the US?
Yes, you can access it from anywhere you can use a compatible web browser.
Can I hook up my Pogoplug in a location outside of the US?
Yes, but currently the warranty is only valid for operation inside the USA.
Can I access my Pogoplug with my mobile phone?
We currently have an iPhone and Android application available, and we are working on releasing other mobile phone applications specially designed for Pogoplug.
Who can have access to my Pogoplug?
When you visit my.pogoplug.com you'll have full access to view and share your files. Simply click on a file, folder, or album, and then enter the email address(es) of whomever you want to share with. Best of all, your friends and family won't even need to “register”, they can just click the shared link and instantly have access to your shared files.
Is Pogoplug compatible with USB thumb drives?
Yes it is, but please don't try to plug your thumb into it – we don't know what would happen then...
Is Pogoplug compatible with printers?
Yes, as of 08/31/2010, Pogoplug has a new feature that allows you to to print, through the cloud, to supported printers. For more information, click here.
Can I plug anything else into my Pogoplug drive?
No, it is specifically designed to work with USB drives and supported printers. Please do not plug in USB cup warmers, or other gadgets from this list.
Do I need to use any special software with my Pogoplug?
The Pogoplug works from a Web browser interface, My.Pogoplug. If you want to access Pogoplug as a networked drive from inside or outside your home, a short download of the Drive Application for your Windows, Mac or Linux machine is required. (Click here for downloads.) There are also applications available for iPhone and Android based mobile phones, which are downloadable from the App Store or Android Market, respectively.
Can I access my Pogoplug drive from my office? Or my motel room? Or my friend's house?
Yes. Yes. Yes. You can also connect to it from your 3G networked netbook while on the train. Or from your laptop in a coffee shop. And from some airplanes. And even Rossmoor car wash. Certain mobile phones can access your Pogoplug, such as Apple's iPhone and Android handsets.
How can I share my photos or videos with people?
When you visit my.pogoplug.com you'll have full access to view and share your files. Simply click on a file, folder, or album, and then enter the email address(es) of whomever you want to share with. Best of all, your friends or family won't even need to “register”, they can just click the shared link and off they go. My.Pogoplug also supports integration with well known social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter. You can even create drag-and-drop slideshows. For more information on social networking and media sharing, click here.
Can I share files via email?
Yes you can, and it's super easy. In the "General Settings" of your Pogoplug, you'll have an option to tell Pogoplug where to place emailed files sent to it. Once you set this up, you can email files to your Pogoplug, from your My.Pogoplug account email address, to upload@mypogoplug.com. The uploaded files will be sent to the directory you chose. More details here.
How does Pogoplug handle documents?
Pogoplug will open several popular document formats right within the My.Pogoplug interface, allowing you to quickly review them without the need to download to your PC or device. More details on supported formats can be found here.
Can I use the Pogoplug for backup?
Of course, you can simply drag and drop files to the Pogoplug to keep them safe. With the 2.0.3 Drive Application software, you can also set up Active Copy to continuously back up files from another location on your computer or network to the Pogoplug. For more information on how to use Active Copy and other frequently asked questions regarding the Drive Application, click here.
Can I make redundant backups?
Yes, you can - to other Pogoplugs and their attached drives that you have within your account. Active Copy enhancements delivered in a March, 2010 firmware update give you the functionality to make redundant copies of key files to remotely shared Pogoplugs.
Can I stream to my game console?
Yes! A firmware update rolled out in March, 2010 enables streaming to your XBOX 360 or PlayStation 3 game console. Either of the two machines should automatically detect Pogoplugs and their attached drives on your network, enabling you to stream videos, music, and photos without ever leaving your gaming chair.
What is the warranty on Pogoplug?
1 year warranty within the United States.
I'm still having trouble. How do I get support?
We can assure you, the folks at Pogoplug are very helpful and devoted to bringing you the best experience you can have. From time to time, you might be having some technical trouble or a bug to report. If you can't find the answer here, in the articles, or in the forums - click here to submit a support ticket to Cloud Engines.
Where can I purchase a Pogoplug, and how much does it cost? Do I have to pay any additional fees?
How much electricity does Pogoplug use?
4 watts.
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