Basically, all you need do is plug the C3 Wireless into your PC or Mac via its USB port, allow it to perform the first backup, and then unplug it. Left quietly turned on (and hooked up wirelessly to your router) the C3 will automatically backup any changes every hour. Multiple computers can be registered and backed-up in this way, as long as they’re all using the same wireless network.

That means no software to install on the computer itself, and very little in the way of technical knowledge required. Restoring from a backup is also meant to be straightforward, as is browsing the C3 and picking out individual files, and it can be used to share music as well as automatically send photos to Facebook galleries or via email.

In fact the only thing we’d like to see is a bigger hard-drive; 500GB doesn’t seem like much for backing-up multiple computers. The Clickfree C3 Wireless is available now, priced at $179.99.

A bit of backstory first. Clickfree’s drives generally consist of what looks like a regular external USB 2.0 hard-drive, loaded with some special software that – when you plug in – automatically scans your computer, spots any important data like documents or multimedia, and copies them over to its safe clutches. Subsequently, only new or modified files are copied, and you can plug the one Clickfree drive into multiple computers and have independent backup profiles for each.

The Clickfree C2N takes that concept and moves it one stage further. As before, it looks like a regular external drive – available in 250GB, 320GB, 500GB or 640GB capacities – but now it can backup not just the local computer it’s physically plugged into, but multiple machines on the same home or small office network.

Now, the obvious way of doing that would be to give the Clickfree an ethernet port and turn it into a NAS, but that’s arguably too complex for its target audience. Instead, Clickfree have come up with BackupLink: plug the drive (using the tethered USB cable that slots neatly into a niche for transport or storage) into whichever computers you want to include in the mass backup and it automatically installs an app that allows the USB drive to easily connect to that machine again over the home network. As long as you leave the C2N hooked up to one of the networked machines, it will be able to remotely back-up any of the computers on that network you’ve previously plugged it into.

So, say you have a laptop and a desktop, and you want to keep backups of both machines. First, you might plug the C2N drive into the laptop and install BackupLink, performing the first backup – which takes the longest, as it’s saving all your data rather than what has just been incrementally changed – while it’s locally connected. Then, you plug the C2N into the desktop and follow the same process, only this time you leave the drive attached. BackupLink installs an icon in the system tray of a Windows machine (it’s also compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, and you can have a mixture of PCs and Macs backing up to the same Clickfree drive) from which you can not only trigger a backup of the local machine (in this case, the desktop PC) but of the remote laptop too. Thanks to BackupLink running in the background on the laptop, the Clickfree drive spots it over the network and performs an incremental backup as if the C2N was physically connected via USB.

While you can manually trigger a backup of any computer from any machine with BackupLink installed, you can also schedule automatic backups to take place daily, weekly, etc, at a time of your choosing. The app will wake a computer from sleep mode to do so, though it can’t power up a hibernating Windows PC. Similarly, while the C2N supports 256-bit hardware-based data encryption – useful if the drive is stolen – if that’s active you’ll need to type in the password before the scheduled backup can take place.

There are some limitations in comparison to a proper NAS, of course. Only one computer can be backing up to the C2N at any one time, and – while there’s support for browsing the contents of each separate backup volume – it’s not really designed to act as a shared drive for frequently-accessed, communal files. You’ll need Administrator access to each computer initially, too, to install the BackupLink app. You’re also limited by the speed of a) your network, b) USB 2.0 and c) the speed of whatever computer the C2N is plugged into, whereas a decent gigabit NAS and a gigabit router/switch will be faster and more self-sufficient. Currently there’s no RAID option either, so, should the Clickfree drive’s HDD fail, all your backups are lost.

Still, for Clickfree’s target audience the comparison would more likely be using the C2N or nothing at all; they’d not even consider using a NAS, or be put off by the complexity of networking and setting up backup software. In contrast, the C2N makes it all incredibly easy: you can choose specific files or locations to backup, or alternatively you can let Clickfree’s software dig through your drive and identify files automatically. It will even pull out email attachments, and allow you to share photos via its own UI to Flickr, Facebook and MySpace. If you start to reach the limits of the internal storage, Clickfree include an app that streamlines transferring data to a CD or DVD.

You do pay a premium for all that functionality, however, at least in a dollar-per-gigabyte comparison with a regular, “dumb” USB drive. The 250GB C2N comes in at $139.99, the 320GB at $159.99 and the 500GB at $179.99; in contrast, a normal 250GB portable drive can be had for around $55, while 500GB can be had for around $80. We’d be more tempted by Clickfree’s Transformer NE, a $99.99 adapter cable that offers the same BackupLink functionality but rather than coming with internal storage has a USB 2.0 port to plug in a generic external drive. You could even plug in a USB RAID array, if you want to couple Clickfree’s simplicity with the reassurance of multiple-drive data redundancy.

Simplicity comes at a price, then, which is hardly new. A cheap external drive may be easier on your wallet, but it’s a false saving if you then neglect to actually copy your data across to it. In contrast, the C2N streamlines the process to the point where even the most tech-wary of users could get to grips with it. In an ideal world we’d all have redundant local and off-site backup and not even a single byte would go missing; in the real world, Clickfree’s C2N manages to make the company’s own easy products even easier.

That includes data migration tools, including a one-click transfer of files from, say, Windows Vista to Windows 7, or from OS X (10.5 onwards) to a PC or vice-versa.  It’s also possible to schedule backups; previous Clickfree drives automatically started the backup process when you initially plugged them in, but the C2 can be set to do that at regular occasions.  The company will even sell you a docking station which makes semi-permanent connections more streamlined.

Data on the drive itself is easier to deal with, too, with a new attachments category that collates email attachments, the ability to burn files direct from the C2 to a CD/DVD (obviously your host system will need an optical drive) and media imports from iPods and iPhones.  There’s also 256-bit encryption with hardware acceleration so that it doesn’t slow down backups or future file access.

250GB and 500GB C2 versions (in black or white) are available now, priced at $139.99 and $189.99 respectively; a 320GB version will hit QVC on October 28th, priced at $159.99.  The optional dock is $20.

Press Release:

Clickfree Redefines Consumer Backup Again with the Launch of C2

Clickfree continues to innovate and deliver the ultimate backup experience

TORONTO – Oct. 13, 2009 – Clickfree, the inventors of effortless backup, today announced the launch of C2, its new flagship portable hard drive. With C2, Clickfree once again redefines consumer backup by bringing together an amazing set of features that have never before been available in a single backup product. Without adding complexity to Clickfree’s signature approach to effortless backup, consumers will now be able to automatically import music from iPods and iPhones, burn backed up files to CDs and DVDs, extract and organize all email attachments and protect files with encryption. All these new features in a beautiful high-gloss unit with a built-in USB cable makes it the most portable drive on the market.

New product features include:

• Redesigned Interface: Clickfree has reworked automatic backup and restore into an even simpler process, designed so that even the least technically savvy will be totally comfortable backing up their computer. Included in the many new features is a search page that shows a summary of new and changed files as it finds them.

• Built-in USB Cable: Snapping securely into place, there’s no cable to lose and no tangled mess in a briefcase. The ultimate convenience for quickly sharing content, just plug the C2 into any computer to simply view and share files from the C2. There’s even an optional docking station available to keep desks tidy.

• iPod Music and Playlist Import: Clickfree has included this great feature from its popular Transformer for iPod. When C2 is connected, users will be able to plug any iPod or iPhone into another USB port on the computer and the C2 will import music and playlists from the device right into iTunes.

• Migration: Clickfree is the only backup solution for simple, hassle free migration between computers or when upgrading operating systems. With the launch of Windows 7, many people will need a simple and efficient way to transfer files. Clickfree’s intuitive software will transfer your files to exactly where they need to be – even if it’s a new computer with a new operating system and the file structure has changed. This means applications will find digital content without additional confusing work.

• Encryption: C2 customers can be confident their data is secured with powerful encryption technology by simply entering a password. The C2 uses 256-bit hardware-based encryption – a very high grade of security to ensure that no one will be able to access data files without the password. By using a hardware-based solution – a chip inside the hard drive itself – the C2 handles all of this without slowing down the computer or backup.

• Use it for Backup or Storage: Free space on the C2 drive can be used as portable storage, just like any other external hard drive.

• DVD burning capability: Customers wanting to create an additional DVD backup for another location like a safety deposit box can now do so easily with the built in DVD backup solution included in the C2. It is ideal for users who want the added comfort of having an additional snapshot of their files without having to install or learn complex archiving software. Clickfree recommends two backups for the ultimate data protection, and makes both effortless.

• Sharing: Easily share photos and other digital media. With the software built right-in, users can simply plug the drive into any computer to view or transfer photos quickly and easily. From the rich photo viewer, users can see their photos. And with built-in software tools, they can effortlessly set these photos as wallpaper, print, email, or share onto facebook or myspace.

• Scheduled backup: Leave the C2 plugged in, and it will continue to backup all day.

“We already had a great backup solution that had superior user-friendly features; we wanted to go beyond that. We listened to the needs of our consumers and added features that would add to the Clickfree ultimate backup experience without straying from our core simplicity. With C2 we found a way to enhance our award winning back-up technology while preserving our heritage of super simple backup,” said Bryan McLeod, Clickfree CEO. “It’s still as simple as connecting your C2 to a computer and watching as the technology starts itself without any installation or setup. We continue to stand above our completion in terms of features combined with simplicity – this is why our highly rated Clickfree solutions continue to win over consumers — by making computer backup effortless.”

After being connected to a computer, Clickfree technology shows a simple countdown then proceeds to search, organize, and copy precious data onto the C2 backup drive. Files are organized into categories: photos, videos and email attachments – and each category can be individually viewed to confirm the backup is complete.

For those who would like to dig a little deeper, Clickfree provides an option to configure the backup. Simply connect the USB cable and let C2 automatically begin or easily select what to back up by choosing Options. The simple interface allows consumers to determine which content they would like saved. Like other Clickfree products, the Clickfree C2 can easily backup multiple computers, with each backup identified clearly by computer name within the Clickfree software.

Available in a high gloss black or white finish, the Clickfree C2 comes in 250GB and 500GB storage capacity and retails for $139.99 and $189.99 respectively. An optional dock is sold separately for quick and tidy computer connection. A 320GB capacity drive will be available exclusively through QVC for 30 days starting October 28, 2009 and will sell for $159.99.

Automatic Clickfree products can be found at www.clickfree.com and leading retail outlets such as Brandsmart, Dell.com, OfficeMax, hhgregg, Bernies, CDW, QVC, Kmart, Electronic Express as well as many other local and online retailers.

About Clickfree
Storage Appliance Corporation, operating under the Clickfree(TM) brand makes technology easy for consumers. As the inventor of effortless consumer backup, the Clickfree(TM) software makes backing up a PC or Mac as easy as plugging it in to the USB port — no software to install or configure. Recognized as the market leader in consumer backup, Clickfree has received numerous awards from CNET(TM), PCMag(TM), and Laptop(TM) magazine. Clickfree’s software is not just easier – it’s smarter. With 23 patents pending, this exclusive technology is only available to Clickfree(TM) customers. Visit www.Clickfree.com for additional information.

The Traveler can be used with multiple computers, with each backup kept distinct.  Files can also be browsed and viewed without having to restore them, and three capacities are available: 16GB for $79.99, 32GB for $149.99 and 64GB for $249.99.

As for DVD  Transformer, that is basically a USB dongle which includes a version of Clickfree’s software.  Once inserted, it intelligently scans the PC for personal files, then burns them to a CD or DVD inserted into the computer’s own optical drive.  The DVD Transformer is $39.99.

We reviewed two of Clickfree’s products – the standalone 320GB Clickfree HD325 hard-drive and the Clickfree Transformer – back in March, and came away very impressed.  You can find the full review here.

Press Release:

Storage Appliance Corp. introduces Clickfree Traveler, world’s smallest totally automatic PC backup device, and Clickfree Transformer, a simpler way to burn data to optical discs

The size of a credit card, the Clickfree Traveler slips easily into a wallet; New Clickfree DVD Transformer bypasses tricky CD & DVD burning software

TORONTO – MAY 7, 2009 – Storage Appliance Corp., developers of Clickfree, the easiest-to-use PC backup solutions on the market, today announced two new products, the Clickfree Traveler and Clickfree DVD Transformer. Available May 7, 2009, both devices are PC and Mac compatible, and eliminate the confusing and time-consuming hassle associated with backing up irreplaceable digital data.

As light as a pen and the size of a credit card, the flash-based Traveler slips easily into a wallet, allowing business travelers, photographers, music lovers and others to carry up to 64GBs of data in their hip pocket or purse. The Clickfree DVD Transformer enables consumers to quickly and easily back up important data to optical discs, bypassing tricky CD and DVD burning software. Coupled with recordable CDs and/or DVDs, it’s an inexpensive yet foolproof way to back up important files.

“Consumers need simpler solutions for protecting their digital data,” said Bryan McLeod, CEO, Storage Appliance Corp. “Clickfree’s patented auto-launching software completely automates the entire process, making PC backup effortless. Our expanded product line and new form factors give consumers numerous options and price ranges for backing up their precious and irreplaceable data.”

Clickfree Traveler Lightens the Load

Despite its small size, like all Clickfree products, the Traveler includes an auto-launch feature so there is no need to install or configure software. Just insert the Traveler’s USB plug into a PC, and Clickfree does the rest, searching, copying and organizing more than 400 file types of digital data including documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook email and contacts, photos, video, music and even favorite websites.

Road warriors and other professionals who typically operate with large amounts of data (photographers, graphic artists, financial planners), will find the Clickfree Traveler lets them carry hefty presentations or huge art portfolios in their wallet or purse. With the Traveler, business professionals will always have easy access to important content and can quickly restore critical information in the event of a lost, stolen or malfunctioning computer. Netbook users will find it a perfect complement to these smaller devices, allowing them to carry even more data without increasing their load. Other key benefits include:

Backup multiple computers: Just plug it into any computer and the Traveler will automatically start, search, backup and organize content, keeping each PC’s data separated by user.

Intuitive backup summary: The Clickfree patented application provides a clear and simple backup summary that lists the number of files backed up, the total size of the backup, details of files by type and more.

Easily browse backed up files: Review any backed up file by using the backup application or Windows Explorer. For backed up photos, Clickfree also provides a thumbnail view that eliminates the need to open the entire file.

Restoring data is simple: Just plug the Traveler into a new computer and restore all files to their original locations. Easily transfer files between computers, and even from PC to Mac.

Range of capacities and prices: To meet a wide range of needs and budgets, the Clickfree Traveler is available in several capacities:
16GB – $79.99 (U.S.)
32GB – $149.99 (U.S.)
64GB – $249.99 (U.S.)

Clickfree DVD Transformer — an Inexpensive, Easy Solution for Students and General Household Use

The Clickfree DVD Transformer is also a small, flash-based device that connects to a PC’s USB port, automatically searching the entire computer for documents, photos, music files, videos and more. Once the search is complete and the content identified, consumers simply insert a blank disc into the computer’s burner and Clickfree does the rest. Tricky CD and DVD burning software is now a thing of the past.

At $39.99 (U.S.), it is an economical way to quickly backup and save files inexpensively. Coupled with the recordable CDs and/or DVDs most households have laying around, moms and dads can easily burn the latest family photos to send off to the grandparents, while its small size and low-cost makes it a must-have for any student with homework assignments and costly music libraries on their PCs.

The Transformer is an inexpensive yet foolproof way to back up important files.

The Clickfree DVD Transformer will automatically backup data to optical discs of many popular formats, including CDR, CDRW, DVD+R, DVD-R and Dual Layer DVD.

Other key benefits include:

Backup Multiple Computers: There is absolutely no limit – just connect the Clickfree DVD Transformer to any computer and the Clickfree software will automatically start and search for digital content. Users can repeat the process with as many computers as needed and the DVD Transformer keeps a complete record of every computer and every backup disc created.

Incremental Backup Support: After the initial backup, users subsequently have the option of just backing up new or changed files rather than starting from scratch.

Disc Spanning Support: Users can back up content to a single or multiple CDs or DVDs.

Disc Management: The DVD Transformer will keep a record of every disc ever created on any computer. Just insert any disc while the Clickfree application is running and it will tell you what computer backup it is from, what backup set, and what disc of a multi disc set.

Backup Summary: Simple and easy to understand, it lists the number of files backed up, the total size of the backup, details of files by type and more.

Backup is only as good as the restore

Both the DVD Transformer and Clickfree Traveler come complete with Clickfree’s unique automatic “Smart Restore Technology” that is as easy to use as Clickfree backup. It allows the customer to effortlessly restore or share all files with any PC or Mac. Other manufacturer’s products that claim to restore applications and operating systems (“Image backup”) fail to mention that these can only be restored to an identical computer and will also restore viruses, malware and corrupt applications and registry settings. All these problems can be avoided with Clickfree’s automatic Smart Restore Technology.

Availability

Clickfree products can be found at www.Clickfree.com, or at the following U.S. retailers: Best Buy, Office Max, Kmart, Walgreens, Ultimate Electronics, Cord Camera and Amazon.com

Turning to PMA 2009, SlashGear’s resident photography genius Daniel Lim picked out the latest and most interesting from the US show. You can find all the announcements and content with the PMA tag, but highlights include our exclusive Lensbaby 0.42x Super-Wide Lens and Composer demos, sample shots and video demos of Panasonic’s Micro 4/3 DMC-GH1, hands-on time with the JVC “Everio X” GZ-X900 1080p camcorder, and sneak-peeks at Pentax’s X70 and the eminently-interesting Samsung NX hybrid DSLR.

It’s a hard week to grab headlines in, but Apple managed it with not one or two but five products in their range getting significant changes. The Mac Pro, Mac mini and iMac all came in for some upgrade attention, while the Time Machine backup system and AirPort Extreme Base Station both got a shot of simultaneous dual-band capabilities, among other things. That makes for a great week for Cupertino, only marred by the news that more than a few 17-inch MacBook Pro owners are experiencing ongoing visual problems with their new unibody notebooks, possibly due to overheating.

We’ve also had time for a couple of reviews and a video unboxing, with Clickfree’s HD325 and Transformer backup systems showing that safeguarding data needn’t be a headache, while the Pixelar E-Reader demonstrated that reading ebooks off a screen needn’t, well, be a headache either. Finally we unboxed the Sleek Audio Customs, a $300 set of custom-molded earphones that have a lot riding on them. Look out for our review this coming week.

Both of the Clickfree products work in pretty much the same way.  The standalone Clickfree HD325 is an all-in-one backup solution, offering 320GB of compact storage; the Clickfree Transformer Cable, meanwhile, lets you use your own external hard-drive or even a USB flash drive.  According to Clickfree, any portable backup drive, such as the HD325, manufactured after January 1st 2009 is Mac compatible, as is the Transformer Cable.

Setup is simple: in the case of the Transformer Cable you first have to hook up a USB hard-drive, then you plug either of them into a spare USB port.  After the typical minute or so as the drive is recognized (which only happens the first time), the Clickfree auto-backup wizard springs to life.  From here you can allow the software to collate the common files – documents, emails, images, music, etc. – or add in specific folders of which you’d prefer the entire contents to be saved.  There’s no easy way to create a full drive mirror; the Clickfree is more about personal data than it is full system restores.

Once you’ve selected – or let the app select – the targets, Clickfree begins indexing the files.  As with installation, the first time takes the longest, as your whole hard-drive is scanned for relevant data.  This is more time-consuming than, say, focusing on just what’s in the Vista “Documents” folder, say (or the equivalent in another OS), but it’s also more thorough, scraping up personal files hidden elsewhere on the drive that may have been scattered by errant software.

After indexing the copying begins, and how long this takes depends on the number of files Clickfree has found and the speed of the hard-drive.  In the case of the HD325 that’s a 5,400rpm 2.5-inch model with 8MB cache; with the Transformer Cable it depends on what you have to hand.  Subsequent backups – triggered by plugging the HD325 or Transformer Cable-equipped USB drive back into the computer – are much faster, as Clickfree only copies across new or altered data.  Old versions of files are preserved, and if you delete one from your computer it’s not automatically deleted from the Clickfree drive; that takes up more space, yes, but it’s very useful if you later realize you were too quick to empty the Recycle Bin.

Restoring data is similarly straightforward.  Triggered either from the Clickfree backup app or accessing the drive directly through the Explorer window (or equivalent), you can choose to restore individual files, browse through them (with an integrated picture viewer and media app) or restore the whole lot.  Rather than being slotted back into the directories they came from, Clickfree puts all data into a single Restored Files directory; that makes it easy to sift through, but does leave you with the chore of reorganizing afterward.

As backup systems go, it’s getting close to foolproof.  Thanks to the nature of the Clickfree software it’s possible to leave everything at its default setting and be confident that pretty much all the data you’d hope to have preserved after a system crash would be safe.  Alternatively, there’s enough granularity of choice to save specific files or data sets that Clickfree might overlook, together with the knowledge that next time it will include them automatically.

It’s not perfect, though.  There’s no provision for scheduled backup – it simply runs when you plug it in, or when you manually load the Clickfree app – and experienced users might miss some of the flexibility on offer in more advanced systems.  We’d also like to see a hardware button on the drive or cable itself, rather than having to physically unplug the Clickfree every time, though at least that does promote storing the backup elsewhere as is good practice.

The Clickfree HD325 drive can be used with up to twenty different computers, keeping data on each distinct and separate.  As it’s bus-powered it’s probably the easier of the two products (there’s a 5V DC input but no AC adapter supplied), though the Transformer Cable does have its own charms.  It’s cheaper outright, assuming you already have an external drive or can pick one up cheaply, and it has no limitations on how many machines you can use it with.  You could also feasibly use it with a USB RAID hard-drive, and add in an extra layer of protection in case of drive failure, something the HD325 doesn’t offer.

For the target audience, though, any sort of backup is likely to be an improvement: every year researchers declare how few people actually backup their data, generally prompting a couple of burnt DVDs and then a lapse back into laziness.  Clickfree certainly cuts through that, and if you’re too lazy to plug in a USB cable once a week then perhaps there’s no saving you.  The geek in us prefers the Clickfree Transformer cable – at $59.99 you get the clever software along with flexibility – but as an all-in-one solution the Clickfree HD325, at $179.99, is 320GB of sheer simplicity.