USB Flash Drives for iOS Direct synchronization between our devices is now the new standard developed by the largest internet companies. Apple, Google, Microsoft and everyone, promise us a world where our files can be found at our phones, our tablets, our cloud, and our computer at the same time.
While syncing for our photos is relatively easy to achieve, our experience has shown that for larger files like our documents and videos, syncing can't always be done without breaking them up and reassembling them. Also we all have from time to time resorted to uploading a file to Dropbox as a stopgap to be able to transfer our files from one to the other device us on the other. Or even emailing our files to ourselves.
Physical file transfer devices are still sometimes necessary as they are quite convenient and fast. For some time now, Android users have access to physical solutions such as dual USB flash drives, which are flash drives with built-in two slots, a standard USB slot for your computer and a micro-USB port for your mobile phone. These devices will allow you to save your files from your computer and then easily connect them to an Android phone and transfer your files to it.
Since these devices use a micro-USB port, iPhone and iPad users did not appreciate them until recently. Now, at least three companies offer flash drives equipped with slot-friendly iOS devices
We took a look at three of these new dual-USB flash drives, one from Leef, one from SanDisk, and one from Hyper. Each device is offered in various capacities between 8GB and 128GB. Each device also requires its own application, which you can download from the App Store, to have full functionality of the device. Without this application it will simply work like a conventional USB flash drive.
Because all three products work in the same way, we were able to judge each one through the same criteria, which are: a) the price, b) the ease of use offered by the physical design of the material, and c) the flexibility and quality of iOS applications. Here are the results.
Leef iBridge
The Leef iBridge is U-shaped, weighs about 14 grams, costs $ 60- $ 400 for 16GB-128GB capacity and is rated with 8. One end is short and comes with a Lighting socket that fits easily into all iPhones and iPads. The other end is longer and terminates with a plug USB 2.0. The device is provided with a cover covering both exposed connections, which converts the small hook shape into something similar to a carabiner.
The application iBridge iOS starts automatically when the Lightning plug is inserted into your mobile. The application menu has functions that are divided into three sections: File Transfer, Content Viewing, and iBridge camera. The latter allows you to take photos which are then saved directly to the iBridge's memory, bypassing storage on the device iOS. This feature is unique in iBridge, and was not found in the other applications tested.
The iBridge application easily creates backups of your camera files and then moves them from your iOS phone or tablet to the flash drive. You can also do the opposite by uploading video files, photos, music, or documents from your computer to your mobile. IBridge does not have a feature to back up your contacts, which is available on the other two devices that were tested.
You can also view files stored on iBridge directly on your phone or Tablet. We uploaded some videos to iBridge and played them with no problem. Any video file, audio file, or any document format supported by iPhone or iPad can play from iBridge. The Flash Disk consumes minimal electricity from the mobile device, and only when the unit is in use. So you can leave it connected as long as you like. Also, the flash disk curves and fits neatly around your device and does not bother even when connected to the power.
SanDisk iXpand
The SanDisk iXpand is a beautiful design device the size of a box of Tic Tac candies, weighs about 28 grams, costs $ 60- $ 200 for 16GB-128GB respectively and got a rating of 7. It comes with a clear plastic cover that covers the USB socket, but can be easily lost. The Lightning socket is located on top of a 25 cm long hard cable, which bends slightly upwards. This makes it difficult to connect to an iPhone and iPad at best.
Unlike the iBridge, the iXpand is armed with a 3.7-volt rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which automatically recharges when the iXpand is inserted into the computer's USB port. A small LED on the side of the unit indicates battery power as well as during synchronization or data flow. The benefit of having a battery in the drive is that it does not absorb electricity from your phone or tablet.
The iXpand Sync application loads as soon as your device is connected to the flash drive in its lighting slot. The app has a drop-down menu that includes handy icons that show except of others the remaining battery life, and the remaining space on both the iOS device and the flash drive. The “Camera Sync” feature copies all photos from your iPhone to the iXpand. It is quite intelligent and copies only the photos taken after the last sync. You then have the option to delete the images on the phone to free up storage memory. There is also an option to backup your contacts, which are saved in vCard format. With little hassle, vCard files can be imported into your computer's address book program.
Reptreatment βίντεο και μουσικής που είναι αποθηκευμένα στη μονάδα flash δούλεψε άψογα. Τα αρχεία αναπαράγονται το ίδιο τέλεια με αυτά που έχετε ήδη αποθηκεύσει στο κινητό. Οποιαδήποτε μορφή αρχείου για βίντεο, μουσική, φωτογραφίες, έγγραφα και διαβάζονται στο iOS, ανοίγουν αμέσως απευθείας από τη μονάδα. Η μεταφορά αρχείων προς οποιαδήποτε κατεύθυνση απαιτεί μόλις λίγα κλικς για να επιλέξετε το αρχείο (α) και την προβλεπόμενη νέα θέση. Ένα ενσωματωμένο εργαλείο κρυπτογράφησης, το SanDisk SecureAccess σας επιτρέπει να βάλετε έναν κωδικό πρόσβασης που θα προστατεύει τα αρχεία σας στη μονάδα flash. Τα κρυπτογραφημένα αρχεία μπορούν να μεταφερθούν σε έναν υπολογιστή Mac ή PC, αλλά για να τα δείτε θα πρέπει να έχετε την δωρεάν εφαρμογή SanDisk.
In conclusion, even though the iXpand Lightning Link cable is awkward, the smart software available compensates its buyer.
Hyper Pro iStick
Το Hyper iStick Pro έρχεται σε δύο colors, μαύρο και λευκό, διακρίνεται για την απλότητα του σχεδιασμού και της χρήσης του, κοστίζει $ 80- $ 350 στα 8GB-128GB αντίστοιχη χωρητικότητα και παίρνει βαθμολογία 5. Το κουτί του έχει μέγεθος περίπου 37 εκατοστά και διαθέτει ένα κουμπί ολίσθησης στην κορυφή. Ανάλογα με τον τρόπο που θα το ωθήσετε ξεπροβάλει από τα δύο άκρα η θύρα USB ή η θύρα Lighting. Το πρόβλημα είναι ότι το παχύ σώμα του iStick καθιστά σχεδόν αδύνατο να εισάγετε το βύσμα Lightning σε iPhones και iPads που έχουν λεπτό σχεδιασμό θήκης.
IStick handles similar functions to other flash disks, backs up contacts, transfers photos, and moves files in any direction. But it lags behind the frivolous software. The basic file transfer process initially requires some confusion of trial and error. The backup files with your contacts are saved in flash in a proprietary format that cannot be read if transferred to your computer. Their reading is achieved only with the iStick application. Minor additions or deletions from contacts are not supported. Instead, double full backups are created. When transferring photos, the icons on the iStick surface appear only with their names and not as images, which reduces work efficiency.
At least the streaming media from iStick is flawless. Like other drives, iStick handles every video, audio, image and document format that iOS can read. In fact, streaming is the easiest feature of iStick. Also when the Stick connects to your iPhone or iPad it consumes the battery power of your mobile devices, no matter if the drive is in use or not.
SOHO's IStick is the legitimate American version of Gmobi iStick from Taiwan's Group PQI. Support for your software refers to the Chinese Gopod Group. In fact you will be disappointed if you request support beyond the user guide.
The above test and comparison is an article Wired
