On Monday SanDisk launched a new line of wireless flash storage devices called SanDisk Connect. This new line currently offers two form factors: the Connect Wireless Flash Drive and the Connect Wireless Media Drive. The former device will be available in August whereas the latter model won't arrive until Q4 2013, but U.S.-based residents can pre-purchase both devices at select outlets now.
SanDisk reports that the Connect Wireless Flash Drive is the smallest wireless USB storage device available to date, allowing users to connect their tablets, smartphones and laptops to store/access files on the go without the need for a USB cable or a USB OTG adapter. It supports up to eight simultaneous connections, three of which can stream video at the same time. It also provides up to four hours of wireless streaming per charge, and secure WPA2 connections.
For laptops and desktops, users connect to the device by jumping off their home network, choosing the device's wireless signal, and accessing the stored contents using a web-based interface in any Internet browser. For iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Kindle Fire, and Android devices, the company offers the SanDisk Wireless Flash Drive app -- merely jump off the local network, choose the drive in the list of Wi-Fi connections, and then load up the app.
The Connect Wireless Flash Drive measures just 3.07 x 1.04 x 0.54 inches, making it easy to take anywhere. It can be used with PC or Mac computers running Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Mac OS 10.6 or higher. For mobile devices, iOS version 5.0 or higher or Android version 2.3 "Froyo" or higher is required.
The SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drive will be offered in 16 GB or 32 GB capacities at $49.99 and $59.99 respectively. It's available for pre-purchase on Amazon.com, Newegg.com and Micro Center, with availability at Best Buy starting in August.
As for the SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive, it's meant for "road warriors" or parents who need to haul around digital media like HD movies, videos and so on. Like the smaller Flash Drive, it provides its own built-in Wi-Fi access point so that up to eight devices can pull content simultaneously off the device without the need for annoying cables. However it sports one additional feature: an SDHC/SDXC memory card slot for even more storage, or to share photos that were taken from a camera's memory card.
The new Media Drive features a durable aluminum housing, and offers up to 8 hours of wireless streaming per charge. It also enables five of the eight simultaneously connected devices to stream video at the same time, all protected by Wi-Fi Password Protection. As with the smaller drive, users can access the stored content either by the Wireless Media Drive app for iOS and Android, or via an Internet browser on Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Mac OS 10.6 or higher.
The SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive measures just 2.6 x 2.6 x 0.52 inches, making it somewhat pocket-sized and easy to carry on trips. It comes with 32 GB or 64 GB storage capacities at $79.99 and $99.99 respectively, and is available for pre-purchase now in the U.S. on Amazon.com. The device is expected to ship some time in August.
