Iomega SuperHero makes iPhone backup easy
Iomega releases its first accessory for the iPhone: an independent docking station that can charge and back up/restore the phone without a computer.
LAS VEGAS--Ever been in a situation in which your iPhone crashes (or mysteriously loses all of its information after a firmware update), and you resort to a backup within iTunes to get your data back just to realize that no recent backup had been successfully made? Well, I know a few who have suffered through this painful experience. It's obviously a little too late for them, but for the rest of you, there's now a way to avoid that.
Iomega today joins the long list of vendors that make accessories for the iPhone by announcing the Iomega SuperHero Dock Backup and Charger for iPhone.
Despite the lengthy name, this is a very straightforward product. It's a relatively compact base docking station, much like many other on the market, that you can dock your iPhone (3G, 3GS, and 4) on. Once docked, the phone will be charged and at the same time, a backup app will run automatically to back up its important information, including contacts and photos onto an 4GB SD card. This card (included) connects to the station via an SD slot and can be replaced with a larger one for those who have lots of photos on the phone.
The backup application, called "Iomega SuperHero," is a free download from the Apple Store. It allows for both backing up and restoring information. Users can adjust what they want to back up and can back up multiple phones as well as restore information to a new phone.
I tried the SuperHero briefly, and while it's a nifty idea that works as intended, it's not perfect. For one, the solution doesn't back up apps, text messages, or e-mails, as well as e-mail account settings. It doesn't connect to a computer and allow for syncing, either. It's a computer-independent device that does just what it name suggests: charging and backing up.
The Iomega SuperHero Dock Backup and Charger for iPhone and its iPhone app are available later this month for around $70 and the accessory's a must-buy for those who use their iPhone without syncing it to iTunes regularly. It can also charge the iPod Touch.
