Pogoplug has updated its portable USB storage device with a new design and some social media integration. I have the previous Pogoplug device and I’ve enjoyed using it between the home and the office. The social media integration, however, piques my interest in the Pogoplug device even more.
The social media integraiton for the new Pogoplug device includes support for Twitter and Facebook, giving media-management options that tie in directly with your social networking accounts. It may seem silly, but the associated cloud of storage you get with the Pogoplug service makes the social networking integration make more sense.
Many of the features included in the new social media integration could be done on your own, in a roundabout way. But a more direct relationship between your cloud storage and your social media outlets means a more seamless sharing opportunity for managing your personal content. With this initaitive Pogoplug is looking to increase the value around its device and create scenarios for consumers to realize practical use of the device itself.
The increased value of the new Pogoplug includes providing additional access points to the data you store with the service. By including support for pre-determined social media services, Pogoplug attracts new users by providing immediate access to their social networking media without having to go into the social network itself. Pogoplug is creating a combined network effort towards remotely interacting with your social media.
The updates made to Pogoplug are also indicative of the moving trend towards making devices the primary conduit for accessing the cloud. It is devices such as Pogoplug, the iPhone and other mobile devices that are finding ways to appeal to consumers by giving them that remote access to their web-based content.
Moving forward this trend will support the use of cloud computing and storage, as we require smaller devices that will have continual access to the web. This will be especially important as consumers will need larger storage capacity, sharing options and the ability to access all of that content. With these Pogoplug updates, the device is looking to become a leader in terms of those devices that offer up access to that cloud.
One of the biggest obstacles towards this goal is the fact that several other established devices and electronics companies have put or are putting themselves in a position to become these accessibility ports as well. Apple is at the forefront of this trend, along with companies like TiVo, which has taken several measures in recent years to incorporate as much social media access as possible. I imagine this concept could easily be transferred to the gaming industry as well.
