While mobile devices are trendy and full of great features, sharing media files across them is not always an easy task. Cloud services are also widely available and they provide a higher level of content storage and sharing, but an internet connection is needed to enjoy these services, and there’s often a price to be paid for monthly storage. We’ve found that the newly-released SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive is a perfect solution if you are looking for an affordable way to store, share and stream content such as movies, music and photos on your computer and mobile devices. It’s one we proudly recommend as an accessory to use for extra storage capacity with devices like the Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD(X) and iPad Mini or iPad tablets, among other mobile devices. Here’s a look at the key benefits of the device.
(Above: SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive, at Amazon.com)
SanDisk Wireless Media Drive features:
1. Wireless streaming of content
The main selling feature is that the SanDisk Connect wireless media drive stores your videos, photos and music and streams your collection via a wireless network. The drive connects up to 8 mobile devices and it can stream, multiple songs to different mobile devices, or up to 5 high definition movies at the same time. This makes for a versatile, portable media hub that fits in the palm of your hand.
2. Wireless hub capability
The SanDisk Connect media drive also serves as a wireless hotspot, allowing you to connect your wireless devices together and transfer files via the drive’s wireless network or through any available Internet connection. The drive comes in handy when you are in a room full of people who want to share their content on the device. It allows for password protection and set up of various folders as well. Navigating the files is done through apps that are downloaded for the specific mobile devices, or through a website if the device is being accessed by a laptop, PC or MAC.
3. Numerous storage capacity options
SanDisk Connect media drive comes equipped with a 32GB or 64GB internal memory storage capacity. It also comes with a built-in card slot, where you can insert your SD/SDHC/SDXC card and expand the memory to approximately 192 GB.
4. USB connection
The media drive comes with a micro USB cable, allowing you to connect it to a computer and offload or upload your files. You can also access your files, and watch the videos, view the photos and listen to music using the computer. Of course, you don’t have to be connected via the USB to do this, but it makes a nice addition. The cable when connected to a computer can also charge the device. When connected to the charging plug, it can be plugged into an outlet and charge even faster.
5. Long battery life
The SanDisk Connect wireless media drive comes with a strong lithium ion battery that can stream continuously for eight hours without the need of recharging. This makes it perfect for a long flight or car ride, or for those who are out and about for a long stretch of their day. You can recharge the media drive using the included AC adapter or the micro USB cable. (Note: Consider the purchase of an external charger that we’ve recommended including those by Halo or Anker, to give even more portability and convenience on the go, without needing a wall outlet.)
SanDisk Media Drive Setup:
Setup of the SanDisk Connect was relatively painless. There’s a small instruction booklet included in the package along with the drive, a micro-USB cable and wall plug adapter. Once you get the device, it’s advised you charge it with the wall charger for about 3 hours to get a complete charge. To do so, simply plug the micro USB into the drive and then the USB end into the wall charger adapter, then plug it into a nearby outlet.
You’ll also want to get the SanDisk Connect app for your particular device, whether it’s iOS or Android. Install it, and you’ll be good to go. Keep in mind, once you begin to use the drive, you’ll be connecting to it as a new selection on your available wireless connections. So you may be able to use your mobile device to stream content from the drive, but you won’t be able to use the internet.
Compatibility with Mobile Devices:
The SanDisk wireless media drive connects to wireless devices such as iPad, iPods, iPhone, tablets, Android devices, smart phones and almost any other Wi-Fi enabled devices. Using the micro USB cable, you can also connect the media drive to computers operating on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Mac OS 10.6 or higher operating systems.
Android version 2.3 or higher and iOS version 5.0 or higher is required for the mobile , while a web browser is needed to connect with the Wi-Fi enabled devices. To connect your SanDisk media drive to mobile devices, you will also have to download the SanDisk app to your devices.
Overall Opinion of SanDisk Wireless Media Drive:
This makes for a great, portable and compact device for transporting extra media on long trips or bringing over to friends and family spots to share movies, music and photos among multiple devices. The apps may take some getting used to on various devices, but for now, it has a relative ease of use. Definitely worth the price tag of $100 for those who want extra storage options for their mobile devices, and for $50 or so, the ability to expand with SD memory is nice as well.
SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive Review
Speak Your Mind