Backup your photos with the i-FlashDrive from Photojojo

A few weeks ago the good folks over at Photojojo sent me a 16GB i-FlashDrive from PhotoFast to test out, and so having played around with the device, it's time to review.

Whilst there are larger capacity versions available (up to 64GB), Photojojo currently only sale the more popular 8GB 30 pin connector and the 16GB combo 30 pin/Lightning connector versions of the i-FlashDrive. These capacities should be more than enough for most iPhoneographers.

Nicely packaged, the i-FlashDrive is a breeze to set up. Simply connect the drive to your iOS device, and you will be prompted to go to the App Store and download/install the universal i-FlashDrive app. Having installed the app, simply launch to use. The i-FlashDrive app offers a simple menu that allows you to backup your contacts, view and manage the apps internal (iOS device) storage, the devices storage itself (8/16GB external storage), or, and this is a nice one, you can pair the i-FlashDrive with your Dropbox account, for easy moving of files and data between your iDevices and this cloud storage.

Moving, accessing and backing up your data. Whilst the i-FlashDrive can be used for storing and moving any type of data file, for me, and I'm sure many of you reading this post, it is the app and devices ability to move/backup photos and videos that are of key interest, and this task is so easy to do. Simply connect the i-FlashDrive, launch the app and tap on External Storage. The app will browse and list the files currently held on the i-FlashDrive, where you can…

1. Add new photos or videos from your iDevice. To do this, simply tap the + icon, select the source (library), select the photos/videos you want to copy/backup and copy them.
2. View/save photos, videos or any other file from the i-FlashDrive. Simply tap a photo/video to view, and then either tap the photo album icon (little flower) to save to your iDevice, or the export icon (arrow) to share via email, Twitter, Facebook or any of the other supported apps in the list.
3. Delete files. To delete, move or copy a file, simply tap the edit button, then the file, and select the action you wish to carry out on that file.

Using the i-FlashDrive with your computer. The i-FlashDrive is essentially a USB mass storage device with an Apple iDevice connector on the other end, and so is used like any standard USB pen drive.

So what do I think of the i-FlashDrive? Although some may consider the device a little pricey, it is small, very easy to use, and perfect for backing up your photos whilst away from home/your computer for long periods of time. For me, the i-FlashDrive is the perfect device to take on your travels and use to backup all your photos and videos. A couple of years ago I went to Egypt and sailed down the Nile, exclusively using my iPhone to capture the sights and sounds around me. For that trip I took and used my iPad to back up all my photos and videos. Now I had no need for my iPad, as I had no internet access for the whole of the trip, and so an i-FlashDrive would have been the perfect companion.

The i-FlashDrive is available from Photojojo priced at $99 USD for the 8GB drive and $149 USD for the 16GB drive.

As mentioned, the i-FlashDrive is available from Photojojo in two capacities, 8GB and 16GB. Both drives by default have a USB connector at one end, and Apples 30 pin connector at the other, with the 16GB device having the addition of a Lightning adaptor. So, if you like the idea of the i-FlashDrive, and have a newer model iPhone or iPad, and the 16GB drive seems a little too expensive, then you could opt for the cheaper 8GB drive and buy a cheap Lightning adaptor from eBay to make the 8GB drive compatible.

A quick look at the Clip-On Polarizing Filter from Photojojo

A few weeks ago the good people over at Photojojo sent me their clip-on polarizing filter to check out. As per the norm, the weather until a few days ago has been pretty grey and dismal here in the UK, but a couple of Friday's ago, the sun came out and the sky turned blue, so I decided it would be a good time to try out this little, inexpensive, clip-on accessory. As I gazed out the window of my house, I looked up at the blue sky and spotted a solitary cloud floating by, so I grabbed my iPhone and fitted the clip-on polarizing filter, then pointed it out of the window. The first thing I noticed was the bad vignetting, where the clip-on filter was incorrectly aligned. Aligning the filter should have been quick and easy, but sadly it was not. Having finally aligned the filter, I was now ready to shoot. So pointing the iPhone skyward, turned the filter until the desired look was achieved, and then captered the solitary cloud against a now much deeper blue sky. Having taken the first test shot, I removed the filter to capture the none polarised version.

As you can see from the cloud photos, the polarising filter really does work, but….

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Photojojo help you keep your iPhone alive with the Crankerator, and photos backed up with the iFlash Drive

The iPhone accessory specialists Photojojo have just launched to new products that look perfect for the travelling/holidaying iPhoneographer.

First up we have the Crankerator, a tiny brick of extra energy for your iPhone or iPad that can be charged by plugging it into a wall socket, or by cranking the handle. Priced at a reasonable $60 USD, the Crankerator should be perfect for those backpacking holidays or days at the beach.

Next up we have the iFlash Drive, that lets you backup the photos from your iPhone or iPads camera roll, and/or transfer between devices without the need to connect via cables. Whilst a little pricy, with the 8GB old style 30-pin connector version costing $99 USD and the new style 16GB Lighting connector version costing $149 USD, I think depending on your device, these are worth considering as a backup solution, if you are a regular traveling iPhoneographer.

Look out for my full review on both of these devices, but until then, you can find more information on the Crankerator here and iFlash Drive here.

The Pocket Spotlight from Photojojo, a bright, constant light in the palm of your hand

As we all know, the iPhone flash does not produce very flattering or pleasing results, so continuos LED lights like this one from Photojojo or the KLYP from Manfrotto are worth considering is you want to be able to use and control an artificial light source.

The Pocket Spotlight from Photojojo gives you soft, portable and even light, mounts onto any headphone jack or hot-shoe, requires no batteries, as it charges via USB, will shine for an hour on a full charge, and measures just 2.5" x 1.5 inches.

This constant light source can even be used with Photojojo's Colour Filter pack, to give you even more lighting options.

For more information and price, check out Photojojo.com

The Mobile Tiltpod from Photojojo

The people at Photojojo are at it again, this time they're selling the Tiltpod, a keyring sized go-anywhere tripod for your naked (case-less) iPhone 4 or 4S.

Measuring just 2 inches in length, and 1.5 inches at its widest point, the Tiltpod has a rubberised grippy base that holds firm on any rough or smooth surface, and has an iPhone friendly, strong but safe magnetic ball head, that allows you to smoothly pivot your iPhone when attached.

Tiltpod features:

• Keychain tripod for caseless iPhone 4/4S
• Grippy base for flat or uneven surfaces
• Tilts your iPhone to almost any angle
• Perfect for portraits, low-light photos or time-lapses
• Works in portrait or landscape

So, what do I think about the Tiltpod? Well, I was surprisingly quite impressed with this little gadget. Whilst it is designed as a keyring, I wouldn't want to attached more than 1 or 2 keys to it, and because I use a case, the Tiltpod is of no use to me, however I think it's the perfect little device (well, until the next perfect little device comes along) for anyone who uses their iPhone 4 or 4S without case protection, like many Olloclip owners do, and for someone who would like a go anywhere tripod like device with pivoting ball head.

So how much is the Tiltpod? Well, currently the Tiltpod is priced at $15 USD, which does sound quite expensive for what it is, but remember, this gadget will fit in your pocket (which means you won't leave home without it), and offers quite a lot of flexibility and stability, and $15 USD won't break the bank.

For more information on the Tiltpod, head over to the Photojojo website.

Note: If you're an iPhone 5 users, or like me, you use a case, then stay tuned for an announcement of a truly pocket-sized tripod, that really will fit in your pocket ;-)