This post focuses on Android, which is currently a little bit ahead of iOS in its Stash support. (If you have an iPad or iPhone, I encourage you to check out the post “iPhone + Stash = Awesomeness” in the Stash forums.) So, let’s take a look at what you can do with Stash from the Mozy app for Android.

Uploading Photos and Videos to Stash

If you have installed the Mozy app on your Android phone (or on a Galaxy tablet, or a Kindle Fire), you can send photos and videos directly to your Stash. When the upload completes, any computers you have linked to your Stash will then download the photo to a special folder in your Stash. (Currently, the folder is called “Mobile Sync,” but this will change in an upcoming update to the app.)

Here’s how you do it:

First, launch the Gallery app and select the photo (or video) you want to send to your Stash.

Then, click the Share button, highlighted in green in the above graphic.

Next, select Mozy from your list of available apps.

Finally, select Upload to send the photo to your Stash.

Note: Depending on your wireless data plan, you might want to reserve this for when you have a WiFi connection if you plan to do it often. Photos and videos can quickly chew into your mobile data plan.

Automatic Uploads

While the Mozy app on both Android and iOS support manual uploads, the Mozy app currently only offers “automatic upload” for Android. Automatic upload is a preference setting that causes your Android to automatically upload all photos and videos on your phone. It’s kind of like having Mozy online backup for your Android’s photos and videos. As with manually uploaded media, auto-uploaded media get download on any computers you have linked to your Stash.

Let’s take a look at how to enable it.

To enable automatic upload, launch the Mozy app and go into Preferences, then select Upload Settings.

You can select whether to auto-upload photos, videos, or both. Also important is the Only on WiFi setting. If you’re a serious shutterbug, or you enable automatic upload of videos, this setting ensures that your uploads don’t eat up your mobile data plan, which can be costly. When enabled, uploads won’t happen until your Android device has a WiFi connection. (Ten seconds of HD video on my HTC Desire creates a 5 megabyte file!)

Note: The auto-upload feature is that it’s currently in an early beta stage. Consequently, it may upload images from other applications. (My HTC Desire HD device uploads four images of buttons used in some other app.) We plan to improve this in an upcoming release.

That’s it for this Stash update, but since you’re still reading, you’re probably an avid fan of the Android platform. So, perhaps you will find this next section informative.

Android fun fact

The term “android” was originally coined in 1919 by Isaac Asimov. It was a typo, in which he accidentally swapped the article “a” for “an.” He actually meant, “a droid.” Few people know this. Similarly, most people don’t know that the I in I, Robot was originally intended to be a Roman 1, to enumerate the first story in what became a series of nine. On hearing the first story’s title, Asimov’s eager fans anticipated that the second story would chronicle the life of a robot pirate captain (“Aye, Aye, Robot!”). In his dismay, Asimov hastily renamed the series’ second story “Runaround,” then re-purposed his original title to cover the complete set of nine. True story.

Ahem.

Be safe, and happy Stashing,

Ted

If you use MozyHome to backup more than one computer, Stash might be able to help you free up some of your MozyHome storage capacity. Here’s how.

Let’s say that you have 5 gigabytes of digital photos, and you keep a copy on both of your two computers. If you back up those photos on both computers, then that means that you’re using a total of 10 gigabytes of your total storage MozyHome storage capacity.

It used to be that the only way to reclaim that 5 GB space would be to remove the photos from one of the two computer’s backup configurations. (You have to remember to do that.)

A new way you could reclaim the space would be to move the photos into your Stash. Stash keeps a copy of the photos on both computers, but Stash accounts for them only once against your total MozyHome storage.

(Hint: You can even save yourself time for synchronization by moving the photos into the same location in your Stash on both computers. When Stash sees that the same file already exists on both computers, it considers them both up to date and won’t try to download the from your Stash online.)

There’s another benefit in addition to consolidating your MozyHome storage. When you finally get around to cleaning up those photos–you know, deleting all the blurries and blanks, touching up redeye, cropping out your thumb, and so on–you only have to do it on one computer. Stash will update your other linked computers with all your changes. Sweet!

Be safe, and happy Stashing,

Ted

We think Stash will change how you use Mozy. But yesterday’s beta launch is just the beginning. We have several feature enhancements coming that will make Stash even better. Here’s a quick look at a few of the updates we plan during the beta.

Web Access

While you can access your Stash through the Mozy web site today, the current “Web Access” interface was designed for restoring files from backup. That means that it shows files and folders that you may have already deleted or moved in addition to your current data.

Within a couple months, we plan to roll out “Web Access 2.0.” This release has been designed not only to make performing restores easier, but also to better support Stash. In addition to refining how it displays your files, Web Access 2.0 also enables you to upload files, and manage the contents of your Stash.

The Mozy App for Android and iOS

Since the start of the Stash private beta last June, a lot of early adopters have asked for more Stash features in Mozy’s mobile app. Currently, you can upload photos and videos to your Stash. Over the coming months, we plan to make several incremental updates, such as making it possible to upload any file type from your iPhone, iPad or Android device.

Performance

The next updates to the Stash software (0.11) will introduce significant performance improvements. Our Stash core engineers have been working to accelerate synchronization of changes to files in your Stash. What they have worked out is pretty slick, and you will notice a big speed boost for file updates.

That’s the short list of what’s coming up. Of course, we have a lot more in store than that. Many have asked us whether Stash is going to include features for sharing and collaboration. Allowing Mozy customers to connect with each other in this way is definitely something we want to do, but first we must get Stash out of beta. Check out the Stash beta forum for several other common feature ideas and requests.

For now, be safe, and happy Stashing,

–Ted

Mobile

With the Mozy mobile apps, you now have access to your data on the go. Whether you’re on an iOS or an Android device, your backed up files (and the files in your Stash) are only a few taps away. The most recent update allows users to utilize personal key encryption for added protection.

Both MozyHome and MozyPro customers can now utilize the mobile app, and MozyPro admins have complete control over which users can access their device on their mobile device.

Get Mozy mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.

Stash

Participants in this year’s private beta for Mozy Stash have been able to get hands-on experience with Mozy’s latest innovation in data backup and storage. Stash, Mozy’s file syncing feature, allows users to sync files between multiple computers or devices quickly and easily.

Stash extends the availability of your files even more – even if a file isn’t being backed up on your computer you can access via Stash.

Interested in joining the Mozy Stash private beta? Get started here.

Data Shuttle

In late 2011, Mozy announced the Mozy Data Shuttle, along with major enhancements to the MozyPro service, allowing for much better server performance.

Customers using the Data Shuttle are able to perform their initial backup to a Mozy provided hard drive, which is then overnighted back to Mozy, greatly reducing the amount of time needed to complete the first backup. With the Data Shuttle, the days (and weeks) of waiting for your first backup to complete are history.

Learn more about the Mozy Data Shuttle.

As we move into 2012 we look forward to continuing the evolution of the Mozy experience that customers have valued for years.  We’ll be broadening the beta—and ultimately releasing—the Stash sync functionality.  This will be a key cornerstone on which we plan to build additional features in 2012.  In addition, we plan to add additional enhancements to MozyPro to make it easier to deploy and operate for our larger customers while at the same time adding additional enhancements for the mid-size and smaller businesses.  Our plans are to make it a more complete solution for the full range of customer backup needs while expanding how people access and use the data that they are mirroring in the cloud.  We look forward to an exciting year ahead of bringing additional value to our customers.

Though not headquartered in Utah as we once were, a large number of our Mozy employees are in our Pleasant Grove, Utah offices. Our Senior Director of Marketing Dave Robinson, in his “acceptance speech” at the awards banquet in Salt Lake City on December 15, emphasized that Mozy is an awesome place to work because it still feels like a startup in many ways — from the casual dress, foosball,  perks,  etc. — while still having the great benefits offered by EMC and VMware. We’re already seeing that the distinction of winning this award three years in a row is helping attract the best employees to Mozy — whether in Utah, Seattle, Boston, Cork (Ireland) — or any of other other offices worldwide.

We’re proud to be part of such a great company!

Care to take a victory lap with us? Check out Dave Robinson’s acceptance speech, view our “Best Comapnies to Work For” video, or head back to 2010 and read about our second selection to this list. Does Mozy sound like the place for you? See if you can find your dream job here – we’d love to have you!

To get things started on Google+, we want to start with a bang! We’re raffling off some prizes and we want to give them to you! Be one of the first 150 people to follow or add our Mozy Online Backup page (https://plus.google.com/110700157209024182490/110700157209024182490) and enter to win one of the following:

2 – $50 Gift Cards
3 – 1 year MozyHome Subscriptions
10 – Mozy T-Shirts (Mozy Saved My Bacon or Back the F:\ Up)

What do you need to do to win? Make sure you’re following our page – that’s it!

Connect with Mozy on all our social networks:

Are you looking for the latest Mozy news, updates and information on your social network of choice? We don’t play favorites – find all of the information you’re looking for no matter which network you’re on.

Twitter:

@mozy – Follow for general updates, news, contests, and commentary on the biggest tech news
@mozypro – Follow for news specific to MozyPro and our business users
@mozysupport – Make sure to ping @mozysupport if you’re running into any issues – we’ll get things right in a jiffy!

Facebook:

Mozy Online Backup - Contests, news, blog posts and more –  get easy updates from Mozy on Facebook.
MozyPro Online Backup - See above (with a business twist).

Youtube:

GetMozy - Find all sorts of video tutorials, Mozy videos, and video contests here.

LinkedIn:

Mozy’s Company Page - On LinkedIn? Follow the Mozy Company Page for major updates, job information, and product specific information geared towards a business audience.

Spiceworks:

Mozy’s Company Page - Do you use or manage MozyPro at work? Are you an IT professional looking for industry-leading offsite backup? Be sure to connect with Mozy in the premier online IT community.

Google+:

Mozy Online Backup on Google+ We’re new here, but excited at the potential – add us to a circle to stay in touch. Look for potential video hangouts and more in the future!

Scott Kruger:

It was dark, despite the full moon, as he made his way to the campus library with laptop in hand. The wind blows through the trees lining the walkway. The last remnants of fall clung desperately to the branches silhouetted against the moon as they thrashed about violently. He pulled his jacket up against the chill, trying to warm himself with the knowledge that the only thing left to complete on his final exam paper was the bibliography that he’d fill out upon reaching the library.

The fluttering of a bat in the empty branches above him gave him pause. The noise quickly subsided, and he continued up the walkway toward the lights of the library. Off the path he heard the crunch of leaves. A figure stepped out of the shadows onto the pathway behind him. He looked over his shoulder at the figure. Blood red eyes caught the light of the moon. A fog began drifting in through the woods. He runs toward the lights beyond, dropping his laptop. He leaves it knowing he can recover his paper from the safety of the library. Throwing open the doors he turns around to see wet footprints and nothing more.

D Steinberg:

She was in the middle of reading her friend’s blog when she heard a sound.  It was just after midnight.  Her husband Ed was asleep.  Quietly Judy got up to look around.  The doors were locked, the alarm was on.

“Probably the wind, or a twig brushing against a window,” Judy figured.

Then, suddenly the phone rang.  Who could that be?  Judy answered with growing alarm.  “Oh Judy,” the male voice on the other end of the phone cried out.  “I need help.”

The voice was familiar. “It’s Al.”  “Al Smith,” Judy queried.  Yes, he answered.

“You must come quickly he said.  What’s wrong, Judy asked.  It’s my wife, said Al, now sobbing and noticeably shaken.  What’s wrong with Milly, Judy asked.

Just then Al shrieked and Judy heard a thud as Al’s phone dropped disconnecting the call.  Judy was beside herself.

She woke Ed hysterically, saying “You must go to Al Smith’s house.  Something is wrong with Milly.  I’ll wait here with the kids.  Call me.”  Ed left.   Judy was now alone waiting.

There it was again.. the sound she heard before, now louder and closer.  What had she done?  And who was it really who had called?

David Goldstein:

All was quiet as I finished my term paper, but my blood chilled when a pop-up message appeared on my screen: “MozyHome is protecting your subconscious. Click to view which fears are backed up.” That was replaced a few seconds later with, “One of the fears that paralyzed you in the past
will be restored at midnight.” I sat shuddering in my chair, wondering which of the unbearable possibilities I had pushed to the dark recesses of my mind for self-preservation would be brought to the surface. Would the snake I knew was living in the bathroom sink come out and eat me? Would the nasty e-mail I had thought about writing, and definitely did not write, get “restored” and sent out?
10:30
11:30
12 … “Restoring your fear, please wait … Your fear has been restored successfully. Click to reveal your fear.” I clicked. “Read fault error on drive B: all contents may be lost. Abort, retry, ignore?” Ha ha, boo and pooh to you! My computer doesn’t even have a drive B: Mozy is there for the drives it does have.

Leslie Borghihi:

The laptop sat open on the table I stared in disbelief.  “Account not found.”

“What now?”  I muttered.

I retyped in my login and password, “Account not found.”  I tried another account.  What was going on with this computer?  I restarted it and tried again.  I called tech support.  India did not answer.  Panic was setting in.  I called the bank punched in my account number and password.

The automated voice kindly told me, “We’re sorry unable to authenticate please try again, or press zero for assistance.  Again, no one answered.

I tried my mother.

“Hello, hello, who is this?  I don’t think this is funny.”  The line went dead.

I grabbed my wallet: everything was there.  My door opened, the property owner, and another woman entered.

““We will everything out by Thursday.””

““Great, I’ll take it, where is the previous tenet?””

“Excuse me, I’m right here!”  I shrieked.

“”She died suddenly, no family, and no one she listed as her references knew her.  I assure you we are screening tenets better.””

The two left.

Trying to follow, I found I could not leave the apartment.  The laptop sat open on the table, flashing, “Who are you?”

—

Again, thanks to all who participated. If you submitted a winning story, you will be receiving an e-mail with more information. Happy Halloween!

Q: Can you tell me about the Mozy Cloud Security team?

A: The Cloud Security team at Mozy consists of 5 members with a combined 75 years of information security experience. We have a lot of fun at Mozy, but when it comes to securing our customers’ data, we’re dead serious. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in providing the safest, most reliable online backup service on the planet. The team is comprised of security experts from a variety of information security backgrounds with the common goal of keeping our customer data secure. This goal has been a driving force behind building Mozy’s Cloud Security program to where it is today.

Q: What is the role of the Cloud Security team at Mozy? 

A: It’s our job to ensure security of our customers’ data. As technology and threat vectors continue to change and evolve, so must the team. The Mozy Security team provides training, thought leadership and consulting to the rest of the organization. We’re constantly making incremental changes to improve the security footprint.

Q:  What audits, certifications, or other security measures has Mozy achieved?

A: Mozy applies a risk-based methodology to its Security program. A SOC 1 SSAE 16 Type II audit (formerly called a SAS 70 Type II audit) is performed on an annual basis as well as surveillance audits between ISO 27001 certifications. We’re proud of the fact that Mozy is the first online backup vendor to achieve ISO 27001 certification.

Q: Can we expect future blog posts from the Mozy Cloud Security team?

A: Definitely!

For more information about Mozy’s security, click here.

To participate, write your best (fiction or non-fiction) conclusion to one of the following opening sentences, then send your entry to contest@mozy.com by Thursday, October 27, 2011:

All was quiet as I finished my term paper, but my blood chilled when a pop-up message appeared on my screen…

• It was dark, despite the full moon, as he made his way to the library with laptop in hand…
• She was in the middle of reading her friend’s blog when she heard a sound…
• The laptop sat open on the table…

Stories must be 200 words or less and will be judged on creativity, originality, scariness, and Mozy-ness. Winners will be announced on the Mozy blog on Halloween—October 31, 2011. One entry per person, please.

All of the features packed in to this app make it a must-have for every Mozy customer. And the recent release of version 1.2 of the app for iOS devices even allows for the use of personal encryption keys, keeping the data on your phone that much more safe. (Don’t worry Android users – an Android version with the same capability is right around the corner!)

On top of all that, Mozy’s mobile app is in the running for two awards in the 5th Annual Mashable Awards.

The awards are partially determined by fan vote, and we need your vote! You can nominate Mozy for each award once a day between Oct. 11 and Nov. 18.

Click on the buttons below to vote – you’ll be sent to the Mashable site to finish the process.

Nominate Mozy for the “Best Branded Mobile App”:

Nominate Mozy for the “Most Useful Mobile App:”

Don’t yet have the Mozy app on your phone? Get started here: mozy.com/mobile.

About the Mashable Awards:

“The Mashable Awards is a community-nominated voting program that recognizes the companies, people and projects that made the biggest impact on the digital landscape this year. Millions of votes will be cast in 28 categories such as Best New Gadget, Most Social TV Show and Must-Follow Brand on Social Media.”