Data Backup Digest

Internal storage on smartphones can be quite a problem for a lot of people. Although it is possible to expand the amount of storage on Android devices with microSD cards, sometimes even this isn’t enough. And if you have an iPhone then these are limited to the storage space that they come with. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. There are now external drives on the markets that will work on smartphones and tablets. They essentially act as a portable NAS device.
One drive available on the market is the Kingston Wi-Drive. It comes in three capacities of 16, 32 and 64 GB. It also has a dedicated media player that supports basic video formats. The drive supports a bridge connection which means that it can be paired to a Wi-Fi network for browsing and simultaneously for streaming data from the drive – up to three devices with playback are supported at the same time.
There is also the Transcend StoreJet Cloud, which only needs an app on the smartphone to run. Files can be sent to the drive via a computer and then streamed off the smartphone. It too features bridge connectivity like the Wi-Drive. A lot of file formats are supported natively and there are third party programs out there that will give a helping hand for those that are not. Where this is better over the Wi-Drive is that it allows you to copy files rather than just streaming them.
Finally, another drive is the Seagate GoFlex Satellite. This drive is a bit different from the other two as it is a similar size to a standard drive, whereas the others were designed to be a bit more compact and portable. However, where it triumphs is in the storage – the Wi-Drive and StoreJet Cloud have a maximum limit of 64 GB, whereas this Seagate drive boasts a capacity of 500 GB and USB 3.0 support. This drive also has the ability to pair up to eight devices simultaneously, another improvement over the other two.
Those are just a few of the external drives available for smartphones, but there are of course many out there. You will probably already know if it is a device that is going to be a solution. A lot of people may find the capacity and features of a microSD card are enough, but for those who need that little bit extra then there are external drives for smartphones. Plus, if you have an iPhone then expandable storage with microSD cards isn’t even an option. As such, these external drives are brilliant pieces of kit. If you are looking for drives that are suitable for carrying around then the Kingston Wi-Drive and Transcend StoreJet Cloud may be the answers for you. If you are looking to save money then the former edges out ever so slightly. However, if that doesn’t satisfy your needs then the Seagate GoFlex Satellite is a great choice with its huge storage capacity and future proof USB 3.0 support.