Big Update on the UnifyDrive UT2 NAS - More Tests and New Stuff

[@grumpygus81]

I backed this project thinking that it was a great idea for on the go photo/video backup. Ultimately I backed out though when I found out the battery isn't replaceable, that severely limits the lifespan and I'm just not cool adding to landfills unnecessarily.

[@UnifyDriveOfficial]

Hi there, The UT2 comes with a replaceable battery. As it uses a specially designed custom battery model, you can contact our technical support team for a replacement if any problems arise. The battery has undergone comprehensive longevity testing, and you can rely on its durability and performance over time.

[@ThePriestHole]

@@UnifyDriveOfficial The issue with that is that the unit still has a limited lifespan, as all you need to do is stop production of the batteries. This is why standards exist.

[@UnifyDriveOfficial]

@@ThePriestHole Hi, we are planning to release the battery parts separately, to extend the life span of the unit. Similar with the phone battery now, if you need to change the it, it is better that you could find a technical support.

[@paul_seiler]

@@ThePriestHole while you’re not wrong, I can’t see this as a problem. A: If the battery lasts 2 years, I’d be happy because hopefully there’s a newer, faster model of this device in 2 years with replaceable 18650 cells which I’ll upgrade to. B: @UnifyDriveOfficial I have your solution … similar to operating system distributions, make a promise to continue manufacturing replacement parts, batteries and support for this first generation device for the next 5 years. This will encourage trust from the community that our investment is safe.

[@paul_seiler]

@@UnifyDriveOfficial see my other comment 🎉

[@poorlybuffalo555]

Noticed the Acasis Pro getting used, that would be my M.O for this NAS along with my GL-iNET X3000 travel router with load balanced WAN for road use...

[@lifefromscratch2818]

That DAS mode is a really nice feature that blows through the complexities of network access that could be really nice when you're on the go.

[@Thromby]

You can hit the web desktop on port 5055. No need to use the portal.

[@hspank]

a fingerprint reader would be nice to have and a 2,5 bay for up to 5TB HDD. the exclusive usb drive partition feature is kind of a bummer instead of a MTP mode for the entire drive to begin with. since usb network adapters are available an ip via usb mode would be the first and central feature to expect here, beginning with the use case of a smart usb-c-dock, which also mirrors as an intelligent small nas. nice demo into a very interesting direction but one might need to wait one or two versions ahead.

[@Cooper3312000]

Seems perfect other then the soldered in battery faster storage access and 10GbE.

[@ModulerDrone]

This is what UnifyDrive said in their kickstarter comments: The battery can be replaced, but the battery model is customized. But it highly recommended to replace by our after sales technical support. By the way, you can still use the UT2 smoothly even though the battery is totally down. So this means sending it back to them for replacement

[@ftt2757]

So don't buy it, either they sell the battery and don't lock it down or it's trash

[@ModulerDrone]

@@ftt2757 I was pointing out for Robbie who said in the video it's not replaceable. For me personally I have a small repair setup so this would be a non issue if they would send out replacement batteries or give a supplier source

[@ManBikeSwag]

This would be very useful for my channel! A fantastic idea for travelling creators.

[@monochrome5297]

It kinda would be nice if one could chain them together and make a large array , usb powered nas is nice , and the functions it offer is amazing compare to a default nas, and it is compact to , sadly 8tb m.2 is expansive though

[@boeingfan7179]

Hi Rob. How does the photos app of this thing compare to Synology photos? I bought my DS220+ to backup 40,000 photos and find the Synology Photos app woeful. I loved what you were doing with the AI search in this video. I’ve become disillusioned with Synology and am keen to know your thoughts on the power of the photos interface and feature set vs Synology Photos, please? 🙏

[@JohnNeville617]

This branding is going to get very confusing with Ubiquiti Unifi when they launch a NAS.

[@steveinoz1]

Why doesn’t the power supply have multiple replacement plugs for UK, EURO, US and AUS - given that this is aimed at travelers

[@chrisaston-roebuck2676]

I was told the kickstarter comes with a US power brick only, along with a global travel adapter. When it goes retail, it’ll ship with a local brick.

[@FieldingSmith]

Who would you say this is for? People traveling and staying in hotel rooms or maybe RV/vanlifers? Other tests I’ve seen show that it doesn’t have enough power to back up much in the field for photo/video works. Lack of weather sealing limits where it can be used. I really like the idea of this… just not sure who the main target audience is.

[@AlfoTur-bn4xc]

I'm thinking to get this to ditch my noisy DS423+ . smaller size, wifi, I belive more silent and formfactor allows me to put in on a bookshelf or glue it on a back of my TV

[@FerTechCH]

Such a missed opportunity to not make the battery removable. Especially with the EU mandating that this is done easily to help with the environment. Also they could have included a version with a 4G or 5G router so we can use one single device for everything on the road 😉

[@TomekFlorczek]

What I find missing in this review, as well as in almost all others, is the lack of consideration for the multimillion group of users paying for iCloud services (they have 1 billion users worldwide). 1. Does the NAS support Live Photos in the app, browser, and via HDMI connection? 2. How fast is the photo app at generating thumbnails for photos and videos from an iPhone? And how quickly do videos launch from the app? 3. What I miss most (unless I'm searching poorly) is a video that compares different NAS devices (Ugreen, Synology, QNAP, Unify UT2, TerraMaster, and self-made NAS) in terms of replacing iCloud for certain users.

[@boeingfan7179]

+1 I’m in the same train of thought. The features of Apple Photos is great but the Synology NAS photos app is woeful in comparison. The AI features of this Unify kit seem far more closely aligned.

[@xarisathos]

Seems to be a very cool device for video productions NAS on the go. I am really interested in the Docker app, which makes possible to create a Davinci Resolve project server, as the one I am running on my QNAP NAS in my lab. Do you think that it needs specific requirements to do the same on the UT2, or it should be easy to implement it, as long as the Docker app is working? Can anyone shed some light on it please? Thanks

[@PennGG]

Can I access the driver with my phone without any internet access ?

[@ferdinandbardamu3945]

Can you connect an USB DAC/headphone amp to play music or do you have to use HDMI?

[@liameneuk]

That fragile orange thingy doesn't seem to offer much impact protection. Separately, if you do a search, both WD and Segate have discontinued their wireless HDD and until we know why, don't trust wireless HDD may be wiser.

[@Ce3pyo]

And thats why it is an ssd ...

[@boeingfan7179]

Is this thing a 16TB NAS out of the box, ie it comes with those SSD’s built in?

[@meccu19]

of course no, have you seen price for 8tb nvme?

[@boeingfan7179]

No I haven’t. Ok thanks for clarifying.

[@meccu19]

I backed this devices, but not sure if I need it xD

[@Javier.Elias.]

so do I xD

[@IamShopping]

You really need to make the background match your shirt! Make it with a green screen and add some beach and palms for such shirt as in this video! 😄

[@zapman2100]

this is just more landfill waste, why this company went with a custom battery instead of finding an off the shelf size and spec, just shows this company wants this device to have as short a lifespan as possible so you have to buy a new one ever 2 to 3 years.

[@yourpcmd]

$399? Too much for a dual nVME pocket computer.

[@Rixynator]

extremely expensive for what it is

[@TheTastefulThickness]

Power pass-thru