With all the goings-on at Google and people looking for alternate cloud storage options, sometimes it’s easier to just be your own cloud. I use Resilio Sync for this, but that does usually mean building up a dedicated PC. The Amber X wants to simplify that process with an inexpensive cloud-storage-in-a-box solution that lets you store your data and retrieve it anywhere. Amber X is currently running on Indiegogo, where it’s long since passed its goal. It has a couple of days left to go, with pledges starting at $129. But we’ve got you a special link that’ll let you get your hands on one for just $119 – about the same cost you’d pay for a year of Google Photos or iCloud for the same storage, except there’s no subscription with this!
Amber X’s cloud storage system is focused heavily on Privacy. All your data is stored locally on your Amber X device and is never stored on AmberCloud itself and nobody can see your data – not even the Amber team, so there’s no need to worry about who’s looking at your photos and video. AmberCloud is simply a means to let your mobile device see your Amber X sitting at home and to make the connection. The Amber X unit itself contains 500GB of internal SSD storage, but you can add virtually unlimited storage to the device using external USB SSDs and hard drives. While it will let you back up just about anything, it’s designed primarily to let you back up your camera roll. Once your device is synced, all your photos and videos are automatically backed up to the device’s internal SSD.
Setting up is simple. Just plug in power and add it to your home network. Download the app for either iOS, Android, Windows or macOS and run through the setup process. After that, away you go. Once backed up, your photos and videos are automatically organised by the system’s built-in AI, which lets you then filter and view images sorted by location, faces detected, which device they were created with, when and more. And, if you wish, you can share select folders, images and videos with specific people that only you allow. Overall it looks like a neat, self-contained solution to the cloud backup issue faced by just about anybody who shoots photos or videos with their phone. And when you’re at home with your device, you’re not limited by Internet speeds, so you can back up quickly. And if you run out of space, you can just add another hard drive. Amber X is already being manufactured and is currently on Indiegogo with a couple of days left. Here’s a secret link for DIYP readers, that’ll get you $10 off the normal Super Early Bird price, bringing it down from $129 to $119. Shipping is expected to begin in February 2021.
