News

posted on 07 July 2008 10:12

Mobiu is a USB thumb drive plus SIM card providing access to all your files, data and applications from any host Windows (XP, Vista) PC. It also provides remote backup services and has chip-and-pin encryption.

Mobiu says that the thumb drive or stick contains your office environment and, once plugged in to any Windows XP/Vista PC, provides access to your files, internet browser and portable applications for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations (XP 2003 and Open Document compatible) as well as access to shared workspaces with colleagues and clients. It's secure and all totally independent of any other PC.

The USB drive SIMAssured technology, which is based on the same security technology that's used in billions of mobile phones and bank cards. In other words it contains a SIM for user authentication.

The firm was founded by people from mobile phone company Vodafone and it shows in the use of SIM card techchology.

Files that your are working on can be backed up to a remote MobiVault and other, nominated users can share them in a mini-network. Collaborative working can take place using MobiRooms.

Mobiu states, in language and tone reminiscentof EMC's Mozy operation before it was acquired by EMC: "The first time you plug in your Mobiu key a simple setup wizard will prompt you to select the local files that you want to back-up. Once you have done this, Mobiu will automatically back them up for you in your secure online MobiVault - at first you'll need to leave your PC on and online while it makes the initial back up in the background, but once you have done this, back-up is as easy as a click of a button. ... You can easily add or remove files as you want, at any subsequent time, and the back-up process will pick up all and any new files - and even previous document versions - without you having to remember to do anything. Even the files on your key (in both the guest and private areas) are automatically backed-up to your MobiVault. ... As soon as you've backed-up, you have full disaster recovery of data, passwords and even previous document versions, and you'll get 5GB online storage as standard. ... If you have to replace your laptop or PC, just use your Mobiu key to restore all your backed-up files - just plug it in and download from your secure online store. ... if you lose your Mobiu key, just let us know and you'll get a replacement within two working days*. Just plug it in and restore everything - again it's all backed up online."

If a Mobiu drive is lost or stolen then Mobiu, when contacted, will lock it and wipe the data if that key appears online, meaning that all the user's files and data will not be compromised.

Mobiu is available in the UK and costs £135 plus VAT., which includes the Mobiu key, Softmaker office applications, first year's subscription to encrypted backup service with 5GB MobiVault storage, and MobiRoom data management solution. A further subscription fee of £60+VAT p.a. due on first anniversary and annually thereafter.

^{[Paul Roberts, news editor.]}