Promise Technology's 'Apollo' Personal Cloud Storage Device Supports iOS 11 Files App

[MacRumors]

Promise Technology's recently released Apollo Cloud 2 Duo storage device is able to interface with the iOS 11 Files app thanks to a new update that was introduced to the accompanying Apollo Cloud iOS app today.

The Apollo Cloud 2 Duo is a personal cloud storage solution designed to give families and small businesses the cloud's ease of use with the security of local storage. The network-attached storage device offers 8TB of storage space and is accessed through a home Wi-Fi setup.

Mac and iOS apps allow users to interface with the Apollo Cloud 2 Duo from Macs and iOS devices, and when used with an iPhone or iPad, files stored on the Apollo Cloud 2 Duo can be easily transferred to and from the new Files app available in iOS 11. On an iPad, Drag and Drop is also supported, so managing files from an iOS device is easier than ever.

Other Apollo Cloud 2 Duo features include a quick camera roll backup tool to save your photos from iOS devices, built-in albums with facial recognition for organizing those photos, Time Machine support for Mac backups, and selective sync, for syncing specific folders on your Mac right to the Apollo.

Because the Apollo Cloud 2 Duo connects to a home Wi-Fi network, there are no monthly storage fees.

Along with today's app update, the Apollo Cloud 2 Duo also became available for purchase in Apple retail stores. The Apollo Cloud 2 Duo is available for $449 from Apple or directly from Promise Technology.

Article Link: Promise Technology's 'Apollo' Personal Cloud Storage Device Supports iOS 11 Files App

 

[tennisproha]

Is this any better or different from a Synology NAS?

 

[lolkthxbai]

this looks like a promising Airport Time Capsule replacement

 

[macs4nw]

.....Because the Apollo Cloud 2 Duo connects to a home Wi-Fi network, there are no monthly storage fees.
Article Link: Promise Technology's 'Apollo' Personal Cloud Storage Device Supports iOS 11 Files App

Fine and dandy, but a robust back-up strategy still demands some type of cloud or other off-site storage component.

 

[canadianreader]

Fine and dandy, but a robust back-up strategy still demands some type of cloud or other off-site storage component.

Indeed in the case of house fire, power surge or flood; data is gone forever.

 

[beanbaguk]

This just looks like an overpriced WD MyCloud solution with very few expansion possibilities. Just one USB 3.0 port, and a single gigabit ethernet port....

 

[Glassed Silver]

I'd rather (and actually will this year) build a proper server myself with HDDs of my choice and hence much greater future-proofing.

Oh and use standard protocols instead of proprietary apps.

Enable Samba, use an app like Transmit for iOS and enable it as a storage provider or however it was called.

Glassed Silver:win

 

[Avieshek]

Wished, it was 80TB instead.

 

[JRobinsonJr]

This just looks like an overpriced WD MyCloud solution with very few expansion possibilities. Just one USB 3.0 port, and a single gigabit ethernet port....

Partially true, but the WD MyCloud solution requires the WD MyCloud apps. This works (or at least appears to work) with the built-in apps on Mac and iOS. Not sure about Windows. To me that means truly plug-and-play functionality, and at $449 turnkey for the 8GB version that's a very reasonable price.

 

[urtules]

this looks like a promising Airport Time Capsule replacement

Is it? Can you do Time Machine backups? Does it appear like network drive on Mac?

 

[MikhailT]

Fine and dandy, but a robust back-up strategy still demands some type of cloud or other off-site storage component.

Yep, the standard two local copies + one remote copy rule. Apple would be wise to offer cloud backups for their Macs like they do for iOS, I'd pay for 1TB plan if Apple would back up my Macs.

I'd rather (and actually will this year) build a proper server myself with HDDs of my choice and hence much greater future-proofing.

Oh and use standard protocols instead of proprietary apps.

Enable Samba, use an app like Transmit for iOS and enable it as a storage provider or however it was called.

Glassed Silver:win

Yep but you can do that, most casual users don't even know this is an option.

Is it? Can you do Time Machine backups? Does it appear like network drive on Mac?

Yes, any NAS that runs a server that has Time Machine capability will do it. My Synology NAS has been backing up my Macs for a few years now.

The only problem is that you won't be able to restore very quickly (last restore took me 2 days for 512GB encrypted) and you're at mercy of the third party vendor to update their firmwares in case of a new Time Machine version in newer macOS version. Last time, I had to wait several months for Synology to support the SMB3 switchover from AFP or something that killed the support.

 

[ksnell]

I'd rather (and actually will this year) build a proper server myself with HDDs of my choice and hence much greater future-proofing.

Oh and use standard protocols instead of proprietary apps.

Enable Samba, use an app like Transmit for iOS and enable it as a storage provider or however it was called.

Glassed Silver:win

1. I run a proper Windows home server and Time Machine support is non-existent without expensive software because Apple does not keep up with protocols like SMB.

2. I use FileBrowser but only on local network because I am not sure I want to open a port. Do you know if any apps that integrate a home server into the new Files App?

 

[lolkthxbai]

Is it? Can you do Time Machine backups? Does it appear like network drive on Mac?

i can’t tell if this is a serious question or a joke...
[doublepost=1505972964][/doublepost]

Fine and dandy, but a robust back-up strategy still demands some type of cloud or other off-site storage component.

if you wanna get real fancy you can run a dedicated network line from your home to a safe box outside the house that contains the NAS box. i have a friend that has done this and made it fire and water proof with a security keypad.

 

[Glassed Silver]

[...]
Yep but you can do that, most casual users don't even know this is an option.

[...]

True. It's not a turn-key solution, but in many ways better. I would suggest anyone who knows it can be done to either do some reading/browse forums OR get an IT student to come over and slab it together for them.

If you're REALLY uncomfortable doing that, then sure, Promise and others are filling an obvious demand here. Good on them and all power to them and their customers!

1. I run a proper Windows home server and Time Machine support is non-existent without expensive software because Apple does not keep up with protocols like SMB.

2. I use FileBrowser but only on local network because I am not sure I want to open a port. Do you know if any apps that integrate a home server into the new Files App?

As I said, Transmit will integrate very nicely. No need to open ports as long as you stay within the same [W]LAN.

If you want to access it remotely, I'd rather trust a self-maintained and constantly updated Linux/FreeBSD based computer than "from the shelf" product with unknown update mechanisms.

ymmv, but I think a DIY server is the way to go. Transmit if you want to access it as storage provider and expect long and proper product support for the app.

https://panic.com/transmit-ios/

Glassed Silver:win