Sony announce a teeny-tiny USB drive for your smartphone

New in Android 4.0.3 and above it the ability to have USB On-the-Go (OTG). This basically alllows devices to plug into your phone through the microUSB port whilst your phone or tablet acts as a host. With a lot of phones now not having microSD card slot, despite all the cloud storage options there’s definitely a need for some sort of mobile storage option, so this is it.

Meet the new Sony USB flash drive. It’s tiny and that’s a dual micro USB / USB 2.0 connector on top. As you can see, the main body of the device isn’t much bigger than the plug itself and it’ll remove the need for you to plug your phone into a computer or crank up the WiFi transfer. It’s all about simple storage, and the new Sony drives wil be available in 8, 16 or 32GB sizes.

It’s not all about transferring photos and videos from your phone either. Imagine that you’re on a long flight and you’ve got a movie (one of those that “backed up after it fell off the internet”) on the device. This will let you watch the movie straight from the USB stick onto your phone or tablet.

Currently these are said to be available in in January for really not-that-much money, although currently we only have US pricing..

8 GB (USM-8SA1/B) – $19.99
16 GB (USM-16SA1/B) – $29.99
32 GB (USM-32SA1/B) – $62.99

More details in the press release below..

Show Press Release (369 More Words)

PARK RIDGE, N.J., Dec. 11, 2013 — Sony’s newest USB flash drive is a “2-in-1” device, with dual micro USB and USB 2.0 connectors for fast and easy back-up, sharing and storing of personal content. The new drive fits most Android* smartphones and tablets so mobile consumers can transfer and view photos and videos without using cables or Wi-Fi access.

According to industry research, photo-taking is the third most common use for a smartphone, with viewing and sharing not far behind. Tablets are also finding similar use, increasing the need for multi-function devices.
“Consumers want to let a friend see the photo they just took or share a video easily with as few steps as possible,” said Viviano Cantu, director of consumer media marketing, Sony Electronics. “These new drives combine convenience, peace of mind and performance and are perfect for mobile multi-tasking.”

The compact devices are available in capacities of 8, 16 and 32 GB, and in a choice of 3 different cap colors. They join Sony’s existing line of storage and transfer options for home and mobile use, giving consumers more flexibility in how they manage personal data.

The new drives are compatible with Android* devices, version 4.0.3 to 4.3** and offer the USB On-the-Go (OTG) function, which allows portable devices like smartphones to act as a “host” when connected to other USB peripherals.
Consumers can also use the drives as additional or temporary storage for their smartphones and tablets, a storage option that’s ideal for enjoying large data files like feature-length movies or personal music libraries.
A locking cap protects the connectors from damage, dust and debris, and the devices’ metal body is durable enough to withstand everyday mobile use.

For easier operation from a smartphone, users can download the free File Manager app from the Play Store to help them easily search content stored on their different devices as well as copy, delete, playback and sort files.
To learn more, visit: www.sony.net/Products/memorycard/en_us/usbsa/index.html.

The new USB flash drives will be available January 2014 at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) at the following prices:

8 GB (USM-8SA1/B) – $19.99
16 GB (USM-16SA1/B) – $29.99
32 GB (USM-32SA1/B) – $62.99

*Can be used with Android devices with USB flash drive connectivity using Android version 4.0.3-4.3, with planned future compatibility for Android version 4.4.