Greetings fellow Mac users!
I was fortunate to get my hands on an exciting new product, the Eye-Fi Digital SD-Card. I bought my Mom the device for Mother's Day, and she was kind enough to let me borrow for few days to write this review.
What is Eye-Fi?
Eye-Fi is a new hardware product in the form of (what looks like) an ordinary 2GB SD Card that used in most digital cameras. This SD Card contains a built-in Wi-Fi transmitter and software that automatically your uploads to your computer and/or website of your choice.
This product is perfect for people who are non-technical and would like an easy way to transfer pictures to their computer or website to share with friends.
Unpacking the Eye-Fi
The first thing I noticed the Eye-Fi was the simple, compact and attractive packaging. Pull the orange tab, and the box “folds out” to reveal the Eye-Fi hardware on the left and instructions on the right.
Fig. 1 – Eye-Fi Box
Fig 2 – Eye-Fi Box Unfolded
Fig 3 – Eye-Fi with Instructions
Installing the Eye-Fi
Installing the software for Eye-Fi was just like most Mac OS X installs except the software is provided on the SD-Card itself. I placed the Eye-Fi Reader and Card into one available USB slot on my Mac. An “EYE-FI” volume was mounted on my desktop. I dragged “Eye-Fi Manager” to my Applications folder.
Fig 4 – Eye-Fi Installation
Configuring the Eye-Fi Manager
I opened the “Eye-Fi Manager” application and the software automically detected and configured my firewall. When this completes, I saw a new “Eye-Fi Manager” icon in my taskbar.
Fig 5 – Eye-Fi on the Taskbar
I clicked on “Open Eye-Fi Manager” and a web page opened up using my default web browser (Firefox). I created a new Eye-Fi account using my e-mail address and password.
After creating my account, I went to “Settings” to make some changes. I renamed the Card, connected to my open Wireless Network and selected Upload to Computer.
Fig 6 – Configuring the Eye-Fi
Using the Eye-Fi
I removed the SD-Card from the Reader and placed into my Digital Camera (HP Photosmart R742). I took my first picture and I was amazed how quickly the picture was uploaded to the computer (within one minute!) This picture was stored in my Home directory under Pictures and sorted by Date.
Figure 7 – My First Picture
For my second picture, I configured Eye-Fi to save to iPhoto instead of my Home Directory.
Figure 8 – My Second Picture
Here's a screenshot of the second picture as it was being uploaded to my computer.
Figure 9 – Second Picture Uploading
Again, I was astonished how the Eye-Fi automatically uploaded the picture (this time to iPhoto '06).
Figure 10 – Second Picture in iPhoto The Eye-Fi also has an option to upload to several photo sharing websites. I use Flickr (http://www.flickr.com) to share some of my photos. For my third picture, I configured Eye-Fi to upload to my Flickr website. I logged into my Flickr account to allow Eye-Fi access.
Figure 11 – Allow Access to Eye-Fi
Once I took the picture, I noticed my picture showed up in iPhoto again.
Figure 12 – Third Picture in iPhoto
I went to Firefox and noticed my picture uploaded to my Flickr website as well (!)
Figure 13 – My Flickr Page
Observerations and Conclusions
Overall, I am very happy with the Eye-Fi product as an easy way to upload computer automatically to your Mac or website. The product peformed flawlessly (at least with my Mac and Wireless G Router) and it works as advertised. Pictures were uploaded from 30 seconds to one minute.
I had to some simple configuration to get the Eye-Fi to upload to the computer (folder or iPhoto) and/or favorite website (such as Flickr). For the end-user, someone like my Mom, all she has to do is take pictures and make sure the computer is turned on. Pictures will be automatically uploaded.
At $99, the Eye-Fi would be a bit pricey for 2GB an ordinary SD-Card, but this is no ordinary SD-Card (!) The Eye-Fi won Best of Show for MacWorld 2008. Once you factor in the ease-of-use and innovative technology, the Eye-Fi is well worth the money.
Date of Testing: May 15th, 2008
Hardware Used:
Mac Mini Core Solo (1.5 gHz)
Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router
HP Photosmart R742 Digital Camera
Software Used:
Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.6
Eye-Fi Manager
Mozilla Firefox 2
iPhoto 6 (from iLife '06)
Websites Used:
Eye-Fi (http://www.eye.fi)
Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/)
NOTE FOR WINDOWS USERS: On my Mom's setup (Dell Inspiron 530S with Windows XP SP2 and Belkin Wireless B Router) worked almost flawlessly as well. When I first installed the Eye-Fi Manager Software, the pictures would take 1-2 minutes to upload. When I came back from this review, pictures are being uploaded the usual 30 seconds to 1 minute. Your performance may vary.