8GB Eye-Fi Pro X2 offers more than mere Wi-Fi photo upload

Here is a solution for those who wished they didn’t forget the cable to transfer data from their digital camera, or those who wished their digital camera had Wi-FI capabilities. Eye-Fi Inc. has developed the next generation Eye-Fi experience, which includes an entirely new platform and more flexible sharing options. Eye-Fi’s current line-up of wireless SD and SDHC memory cards range in price from $49-$149 and in this article we’re going to write about their newest (and most expensive) 8GB Eye-Fi Pro X2 card.

The 8GB Eye-Fi Pro X2 is powered by Eye-Fi’s proprietary X2 engine and is the company’s step toward achieving high-end memory card performance. It includes an exclusively designed chip and an 802.11n radio which enables you to “magically” transfer your images or videos. The X2 engine enables greater flexibility in memory capacity and faster read write/speeds, achieving Class 6 performance. The 802.11n radio and a new antenna design enable faster wireless uploads and increased Wi-Fi range, and still support the 802.11b and 802.11g standards. It is capable to transfer pictures on a distance of nearly 15 meters indoors and almost 30 meters outdoors.

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 wirelessly uploads JPEG and RAW images and videos from the camera to computer and one of 25 online photo and video sharing sites, such as Flickr, Picasa or Facebook. It also allows users to create an ad hoc connection directly to their computer to wirelessly upload photos and videos while away from a wireless router. Or users can upload away from home at more than 10,000 Wayport and open hotspots. Pro X2 automatically geotags photos with information about where the images were taken.

In Endless Memory mode users can choose to have Eye-Fi automatically make space available on their Eye-Fi Pro X2. Using the card’s ability to communicate with the Eye-Fi Service, it receives confirmation whenever photos and videos are safely delivered to the user’s computer and/or online sharing site. When the card reaches the user’s pre-determined amount of space used, it will remove files that have been safely uploaded, beginning with the oldest – even when the card is not connected to the network. If files have not yet been uploaded, the Pro X2 will not remove them. This option can be set up in Eye-Fi Center.

Eye-Fi Center (available for download later this month) is their new desktop application for managing the Eye-Fi card and easing user experience. Eye-Fi Center has a redesigned interface that is easy to navigate and use, with drag and drop capabilities. It allows users to easily select and republish photos and videos to different online locations, so users can share on multiple sites. It also allows users to get any photos or videos on their computer (even those not uploaded with an Eye-Fi card) into the Eye-Fi system, where they can be easily published online. Even when there is no internet connection it allows users to access other features such as adding a wireless network to their card.

Overall, a great product with a wide variety of choices which are more or less affordable and very practical, especially if you don’t want to get rid of your favorite digital camera.