Storage specialist Cloud Engines announced the release of the latest version of Pogoplug, a box-shaped device that connects up to four external hard drives to the Internet and allows users to access and share content (files, music, photos, and video) from a Web browser or enabled mobile device without a monthly fee. The company is currently taking pre-orders for the device, which carries a suggested retail price of $129, with the aim of shipping before the holidays.

Pogoplug acts like a gateway from a user’s home or office through the Internet and allows consumers to access, share and stream personal digital media. The content always remains physically in your home or office. The latest version of Pogoplug also offers users improved sharing capabilities, such as an easy drag-and-drop interface to create multimedia slide shows, seamless media playback and enhanced sharing with contacts on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Users can synchronize the Pogoplug with PC or Mac computers to automatically import new content from applications such as iTunes, Windows Media Player, and iPhoto, and automatically remembers all e-mail addresses entered in a user’s previous shares, even if that share no longer exists. In addition, Pogoplug has added "global" search support across all of a user’s Pogoplugs and drives. The company noted search filters are now a distinct feature, allowing users to view files in a single organized view, or to search for a specific file across all Pogoplugs and drives.

Finally, the device now supports the playback of videos directly from a Pogoplug, with support for many well-known cameras, video cameras and mobile phones. Updated funcationality allows movies to be shared and viewed directly from the Pogoplug Website, as well as from Apple’s iPhone smartphone. Cloud Engines also noted the Pogoplug offers fully encrypted access to a user’s files through the HTTPS protocol and removing any or all of the content from access simply requires unplugging the Pogoplug, the drive or deleting the file off the drive.

Cloud Engines CEO Daniel Putterman said the company is committed to giving their customers the best way to access their data from anywhere in the world, as well as pushing the envelope with both product quality and design aesthetic. “The reaction to the Pogoplug has been incredible. By listening to user feedback and following our own product road map, we are bringing a great second-generation product that gives our customers access to a host of new features that both improve the function of the Pogoplug, and add to the fun of using it as well,” he said. “The result is what you see here today.”