personal cloud Review that protects your privacy

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Cloud storage has won many users for many years. The main players are American: THE country of technology. Among them, there are the classics like Google Drive, OneDrive from Microsoft, iCloud or even Dropbox from the eponymous company. A French company by the name of Lima Technology embarks on the adventure and offers a service promoting privacy: the Lima Ultra. But what differences from the competition?

Mark : Lima Technology

Log in : Wireless

Price : From € 94.99 for the standard version, € 129.99 for Lima Ultra

Availability : Preorder

Tested with : Surface 3 with a Toshiba Canvio Basics 500 USB 3.0 Hard Drive

(Embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu6ckV1Z6m0 (/ embed) 

Unboxing of Lima Ultra

The presentation box is gray and blue in rigid cardboard. The text indicated is in English. Intellectual properties, along with additional information, are listed below the box.

This information includes the address of the company, the place of manufacture, assembly and its website. Data relating to product compatibility, such as operating systems, are also included..

On the right side edge is a summary of the purchasing arguments (quick access, private network, speed of installation, etc.) as well as a summary of the description.

Various information is written on the rear of the outer box in two separate parts: the first describing the functionalities of the product and the second summarizing the procedure for installing the cloud.

The product packaging fits inside this box. On the latter are simply indicated the brand logo and the name of the product: Lima

After opening the box, we discover the product booklet. It is translated into different languages like English, French, German or Italian.

After consulting it, we can see the product wrapped in plastic film and protected by a recess having the shape of the product.

Once unpacked, we can appreciate the aesthetics of the cloud in all its splendor. Unlike competitors, it is not dematerialized and comes in the form of a rectangular box plastic and smooth surface.

The Lima has two peripheral inputs as well as a mains input for the power supply. Among the two peripheral inputs, there is a USB port to connect a hard drive (not supplied) to store shared data, as well as an Ethernet port to benefit from a better Wi-Fi connection.

By removing the base containing the product, we can see two small boxes. They each contain an accessory: the sector with its different tips (depending on the country) and its Ethernet cable wrapped in plastic film.

Design and Ergonomics of the Lima Ultra

The product is rather sober and aesthetic, its two main colors, cyan blue and white go well together. The device in all-purpose colors blends easily with the decor and somewhat harmonizes the workplace or the user's health home.

However, thehe consumer can both blame him for his plastic material, not the most visually pleasing and question the solidity of the product in the event of impact or fall. Indeed, the Lima Ultra is often on a piece of furniture near the network router, there is a fear of dropping it. And plastic is generally not known for its strength.

The ergonomics of the Lima Ultra is not optimal. Admittedly, the case being of small size, we can think that it can be transported, or be used whatever the distance. However, it is not. Indeed, the operating distance of the Lima depends on the length of the power and Ethernet cables to which it is smart health connected.

We can now say that the range is a bit weak. Unfortunately, moreover, since in addition to their short length, the power cables and the Ethernet are smart health connected on the same side. An approach to say the least not very clever. The opposite approach could have made it possible to gain distance. The user should not forget his cables if he wants to transport the Lima Ultra.

Installation of the Lima Ultra

Installation is pretty easy, just attach the tip to the power outlet then plug it into the power input and connect the Ethernet cable to the router. You will also need to connect a hard drive not supplied. Then just press the button on the back of the case.

Using the Lima Ultra

PC version

The cloud can be used on different devices, both on the computer and on the phone. Regarding its desktop version, it is compatible on almost all operating systems : Windows, Mac OS, Linux.

Once downloaded from the official Lima site, the program launches the Windows wizard for installation.

Once installed on the computer, a second assistant (that of the product) starts and asks the user to check his accessories after displaying the welcome message. It is necessary to have an external hard drive, sold separately, to store its data before following the installation procedures.

The user will only have to be guided by the installation wizard explaining the procedures for the proper functioning of your device.

The user will then have to create an account using their email address as well as a password for privileged data protection.

Then, the program detects the product in the vicinity. After its detection, it must be selected so that it can check for product updates. The program also locates the nearby hard drive.

After these installation steps, you can download the mobile application directly to your phone, with the help of its number, for those compatible with IOS and Android.

The previously created account will then be used to connect securely on his device.

Once smart health connected, a window indicates the end of the preparation of the product.

The cloud appears as a folder in the file explorer. The following are listed in the form of folders: music, films, images and documents that can be added to them in the same way as a Dropbox.

It can be displayed with a different interface offering more content. A simple right click on the taskbar opens it. The latter is used to indicate the storage space remaining in the cloud and on the computer. We must clarify that the use of the mobile application can only be done if the cloud is installed on a computer.

Mobile version

As for the PC version, after installation (of the mobile application via Google Play or the App Store, depending on your operating system) a health home page will take you to a connection to your account already created before.

After logging into your account, the application pairs with the cloud box normally smart health connected to the router and to the mains supply.

Two pages of explanations give us information about the features regarding the connection between the portable application and the computer.

Once smart health connected, the app recognizes content previously stored in the cloud and the user can open it directly on their smartphone. Before he does this, you must authorize Lima to access your data. After authorization, you must wait until Lima imports the content from the computer to the phone.

The app allows you to choose which content to keep offline (locally) and offers you other options like renaming the photo.

From the app, you can read cloud content directly on your phone. Thus, the application includes several media players, a ehealth (specific for movies) and an audio for music.

The display is based on the Walkman app found on Sony's Xperia series phones. You can choose your music according to the artist, the title of your song or the name of the album in which it appears.

As for the interface for ehealth files, it remains a bit cluttered. Even if we like the idea of automatic sorting according to two categories: ehealth files and films, we can regret the absence of the landscape format during ehealth playback which leaves a large part of the screen unusable.

The application has interesting settings. You can choose, for example, the type of connection to use for backups.

The Lima Ultra facing the competition

In this area, many competitors offer completely different boxes. Among the interesting adversaries, we can cite Western Digital which offers the “My Cloud“. Despite its lack of mobility, it is distinguished by its storage capacity and offers 2 Terabytes to the user. It can easily be extended thanks to the USB 3.0 port on the back of the machine. It has an operation and installation similar to the housing of the French start-up.

The storage capacity of the Lima depends on the hard drive smart health connected via USB and so it does not work alone. Thus, the user using the enclosure will be able to add a hard disk of the size he wishes, which will determine the storage capacity of the enclosure. It is therefore not expandable, unlike its competitor.

The My Cloud has a major defect, its compatibility. It is certainly operational on the whole Mac OS system but does not work on Linux or on the new Microsoft system. It will therefore be necessary to downgrade its version of Windows for the owners of the last operating system developed by the Redmond company, or to stay on the lower versions. Compatibility of the product stops at Windows 8.

On the other hand, the French start-up Novathings offers its Helixee, a personal cloud suitable for the family and wants to be more secure. Unlike the two models mentioned above, Helixee offers a connection to a VPN network (Virtual Private Network) which allows the consumer to use the private network. It is less subject to phishing and other computer attacks and really protects your device.

Conclusion

Good points

Negative points

Design and finish – 6

Features – 6.4

Application – 8

Use / handling – 9

Value for money – 5

6.9

Design and finishes: The whole product is rather sober, the colors of the product go well together. The product makes the environment harmonious according to the workspace.Application : The app is very easy to use. Even the most novice will be guided by the tutorial once the Lima app is launched. Its content includes the equivalent of four independent applications (music, ehealth, etc.).Features: The strong point of the product. Allows you to play any multimedia content and manage user settings.Use / handling: Installation of the device and accessory is easy to access. Once installed, the user is guided from A to Z through the procedures. Everything is designed to facilitate the userValue for money: The case is worth its price if you count its portability, without the dedicated cables. Compared to the competition, we will iron. The other products offer better for an equivalent price.

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