SanDisk expanded its wireless flash drive offering Friday with the launch of all-new 200GB Connect Wireless Stick, adding to the existing 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB options. The new product is available exclusively on Amazon India for Rs 8,990, which is a flat Rs 1,000 off on the flash drive's launch price of Rs 9,990.
SanDisk confirmed that the flash drive would be available through other channels at a later time. The Connect Wireless Stick was awarded as an "Innovation Honoree" during CES 2016.
"With the explosion of content, people need more advanced storage solutions to keep up with the volume and quality of the photos, videos and files they're creating on their mobile devices," Rajesh Gupta, country manager – India & SAARC at SanDisk, said in a statement. "Our goal is to deliver innovative, intuitive offerings that help them capture life's great moments without worrying about storage limitations."
The one-of-a-kind wireless flash drive doubles as a mobile storage device as well as a hotspot to connect to the internet while on the same Wi-Fi network. The tiny flash drive with massive storage addresses some major pain-points that users might have with limited storage smartphones. The wireless transfer capabilities of the SanDisk Connect make it easier for users to transfer and access files without hassles of connecting to a PC.
The storage can connect up to three devices with a wireless range of 45 meters (150 feet) at the same time and has a 500mAh battery that can run up to 4.5 hours (when connected with one wireless device), the company said.
SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick supports iPhones, iPods, Android smartphones, Fire tablets, Mac and Windows PCs for wireless password-protected Wi-Fi connectivity. It requires an app, which is available as a free download on Google Play Store, iTunes and Amazon App Store to wirelessly connect with compatible devices. Users can also share and stream content via AirPlay with Apple TV, Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.
While buyers have raised concerns about setting up and using the wireless and hotspot features of the SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick, here's a complete guide on how to get started:
Step 1: Download and install SanDisk Connect app on your mobile device.
Step 2: Turn on SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick by pressing the power button.
Step 3: Connect to Wireless Stick Wi-Fi network "SanDisk Connect" followed by the unique number on your flash stick.
- iPhone, iPad, iPod users go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Select SanDisk Connect
- PC and Mac users connect to the Wireless Stick Wi-Fi network through the network settings. Go to http://www.sandisk.com/myconnect to access files
- Android users skip this step
Step 4: Launch mobile app on the mobile device and the connection is established.
Now, users can access, share, upload files whenever and wherever they want. The wireless flash drive comes with a USB cable for charging. In case the gadget runs out of juice, users can always plug it in to a PC to use it as a normal flash drive.
There are LED indicators on the SanDisk flash drive. White blinking means the device is on, White rapid blinking is for Wi-Fi Data Transfer, Amber Solid is battery in charge, Red blinking is low battery and colour cycling is firmware update required.
