32GB Kingston Wi-Drive review

DPNow · #1 23-05-12

Here is a summary or excerpt from an article that has just been published on DPNow:

Kingston Technology's Wi-Drive is a wireless-enabled external storage device designed to supplement the onboard storage in smartphones and tablets. It's designed to store and play back photos, video, music and even documents. It's an unusual product which makes it interesting. We've been using a 32GB example. Find out what we thought of it in our review.

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JSR · #2 23-05-12

I wonder if devices like the Wi-Drive have a place in today's world of cloud storage?

Ian · #3 23-05-12

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSR

I wonder if devices like the Wi-Drive have a place in today's world of cloud storage?

Definitely; because accessing the Cloud is still not yet convenient enough. There are still very few opportunities for connecting to the Internet when flying, on a ferry at sea, in a wilderness, a mobile/wireless data not-spot, etc. and even if you can connect you may not get the connection speed required for video streaming and/or it costs too much.

Ian

JSR · #4 23-05-12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Definitely; because accessing the Cloud is still not yet convenient enough. There are still very few opportunities for connecting to the Internet when flying, on a ferry at sea, in a wilderness, a mobile/wireless data not-spot, etc. and even if you can connect you may not get the connection speed required for video streaming and/or it costs too much.

Ian

There's probably not much opportunity for charging up your Wi-Drive on a ferry, or in the wilderness, either.

I suspect the Wi-Drive will prove momentarily popular given the current rash of Android phones that, like iPhones, no longer have micro-SD slots. However, as soon as that oversight is corrected, I'd think the Wi-Drive will drop again.

When 32GB microSD cards already cost under £16 and 50GB of cloud storage offered for free, spending £65 on the Kingston Wi-Drive would only seem to appeal to a niche market that has spare money.

Ian · #5 24-05-12

In the review I do lament the limited functionality of the server aspect of the Wi-Drive. It's also a shame that you can't use the device wirelessly while charging it up via the USB port. But it does have 4 hours of battery life which is good enough for a couple of movies on a long flight. USB power pack chargers are now widely available (I'm reviewing one from Mophie at the moment). I think you are right in that with the limited features it is a niche product, but interesting and useful for some, nonethless. It can also be used by up to three simultaneous users, so kids in the car can share one device, for example.

There is no sign that Apple is going to adopt MicroSD in its iPhones or tablets and, if anything, the trend is moving away from including MicroSD slots in other smartphones.

And as I said previously, accessing the Cloud when you need it and at a connection speed fast enough for video streaming is far from guaranteed.

Ian

JSR · #6 24-05-12

I still think it misses too many boats. 32GB isn't enough space, 4 hours isn't enough time, and £65 is too much money.

Phones and tablets typically have, or can have, enough space for much more than 4hrs worth of those movies you're keen to watch. And many typically have more than 4hrs worth of usable life (and, if they don't, those USB power pack chargers do the same job for these devices as they would for the Wi-Drive - or you just buy more batteries).

If the Wi-Drive had double the capacity for half the price with 2-3 times the battery life, then it might be an enviable product that we'd all buy. As it stands, it's a product of extremely limited appeal.

Ironically, they could address each of these issues by releasing a £20 "bare-bones" Wi-Drive that has slots for USB memory/SD cards and has a affordable replaceable battery. In short, a Mi-Fi with support for memory cards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

There is no sign that Apple is going to adopt MicroSD in its iPhones or tablets and, if anything, the trend is moving away from including MicroSD slots in other smartphones.

This is an interesting one. From what I've read, the only people who think this is a good idea is the manufacturer. I get that Apple don't like having card slots, but Android phones have traditionally always had them. Not having them now seems like a backwards step but, hopefully, enough users will complain to force manufacturers to backtrack.

When 32GB microSD cards cost no more than £16, it seems folly of the highest order to not have card slots in phones and tablets.

Ian · #7 24-05-12

Yeah, I completely agree that a slot for a MicroSD card is important. My new Samsung Galaxy Note has 16GB RAM but after the system reserves its portion there is only about 12GB left. Luckily the Note has a MocroSD slot. I did consider the HTC One X but the lack of card slot was one of the reasons that made me switch, fairly late it has to be said, to the Samsung.

Ian

JSR · #8 24-05-12

I've been looking at new phones as I'm out of contract now. Would love the Galaxy Note, but I don't think I can stretch to it.

Been considering the Sony Xperia S which is just barely in my price range but, despite having 32GB onboard, the lack of a slot is making me hesitate. It shouldn't, of course, because 32GB is a good amount to carry about and I have access to over 100Gb cloud storage between Box and Dropbox, and I rarely ever remove my SD card from my current phone. It's just nagging away at me that there should be a card slot there.

Ian · #9 24-05-12

Which network are you with? You should have built up some loyalty credit so you should be able to get a better deal for a new contract with the same network if you choose to stay with them. I stayed with T-Mobile. For a 2 year contract I paid £50 for the Note and the monthly charge is £21. For this I get 300 cross network minutes, unlimited calls to landlines, 500 texts, unlimited Web browsing and 750MB data for file transfers and streaming. If you exceed your data allowance you aren't cut off, instead you are slowed down during peak hours.

Ian

JSR · #10 24-05-12

I'm with Three. They don't seem to do any loyalty deals, so I've currently dropped down to a 1 month rolling contract while I look at my options.

I did speak to them on the phone, but that just pretty much confirmed that they don't do you any favours for staying with them. So, although the network's been fine for 2 years, I see no reason to stick with them.