Infinitec IUM device: ad hoc file streaming, looks like USB flash drive

Infinitec first burst into the tech scene at CES 2010, dropping by to show everybody their cool new gadget — the Infinite USB Memory device (IUM). Take a look see…

Infinitec IUM device: Looks like a flash drive, feels like a flash drive, NOT a flash drive.

So what is it?

It’s a device that allows you to stream any usable file from your laptop — basically, any computer system that is USB-capable and has WiFi — to any other device that has USB port entry — another computer system, a high-end DVD or Blu-ray drive/player, a media box, even a next generation HDTV that has a USB port.

The IUM needs to be "paired" with a laptop, or any WiFi capable computer system

Infinitec says:

“…the IUM is the next generation of USB flash drives. Why? Because it provides you with a more efficient, practical and comprehensive solution for transferring your files than traditional USB flash drives. You no longer need to run back and forth between laptops to share files, you don’t need to worry about what previous content may still be on your flash drive before you give it to a friend or colleague, and you don’t need to try to figure out if you have enough capacity available to share all you content. Oh, and by the way, have we told you about its media streaming capabilities?…”

First seen at Engadget.com.

Check out the IUM page at Infinitec.com for more info.

How it works

First up — and we feel Infinitec has not done a good job of making this clear — you need to “pair” your IUM to a WiFi-capable laptop (portables usually come with WiFi capability; if your desktop has a WiFi expansion card, then you can use that specific desktop).

You need a WiFi-capable laptop to use your IUM

The IUM pairs with your laptop — select the “PAIR” setting on the IUM device — it uses the WiFi reciever/transmitter on your laptop to stream the data to any other device. The signal is unique — 1 IUM-to-1 laptop ratio, the IUM you paired with your laptop works with a unique signal, even with other IUM devices around. Through the Infinite Portal software — you can then 1) set how much hard drive space/how many hard drives you want to share, and 2) which files you want to share.

Stream movies from your laptop to any USB-capable device, even your DVD player

Now unplug it, switch to “INFINITE” setting on your IUM, and plug it in to your DVD player, or your HDTV perhaps — and stream your downloaded movies to your player. The cool thing about it is, the IUM “tricks” the device into thinking that it is a USB Mass Storage device — that is how it gets detected, and essentially, no more need for portable hard drives. Another big plus here is full HD streaming — Infinitec specifically says that it is able to stream movies in 1080p. So whip out your external Blu-ray drive, rip an HD movie from a 25GB Blu-ray media, and just stream the movie direct from your laptop to the HDTV.

Stream full 1080p HD movies to your HDTV using the IUM

Infinitec has also guaranteed full compatibility with current generation game consoles — the PlayStation3, Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii. Since the IUM acts like a USB mass storage device (with your laptop storage as base), these consoles have no problem at all. Stream your John Mayer mp3 collection, DVD movies, downloaded TV shows — heck, even downloaded games to your console, no problem at all.

Stream directly to your game consoles via the IUM

The IUM is also network-flexible as to what type of WiFi is available. Stream with 802.11g and get up to 54Mbps of bandwith — more than enough for most streaming purposes. If your computer can handle 802.11n, then you get up to 300Mbps of streaming power.

Infinitec is proposing a new way of looking at USB storage with the IUM

Weve learned from Engadget.com that Infinitec is ready to launch and release the IUM to be available on July 1 in US, Europe and Canada. The price, we hear, is very agreeable – $129USD depending on location. Expect to see more of this device as ship date nears.