Update – If you are having problems with your iStick on iOS9 please check out this article
It doesn’t seem to matter how much storage you have in your smartphone, it never seems to be quite enough.
Some smartphones allow you to use memory cards to increase storage, but as this has never been an option on the iPhone. As apps and media increase in size, storage becomes a premium.
One possible solution is to use cloud storage to move your files off your handset to free up storage space, and this is possibly the most cost effective option. However, for this to work you have use your mobile data, which is always restricted by the speed in your location and allowances.
Enter the iStick, a hardware solution to add an additional storage drive onto your iOS device.
The iStick
The iStick Hardware
Coming in multiple sizes between 8GB and 128GB, the iStick is a well built USB flash drive for the iPhone and iPad.
Looking stylish with a clever slider based design, the iStick features both a traditional USB connector and an Apple lightning connector, allowing you to connect the iStick to both modern iOS and traditional PC devices.
The first time you connect the iStick to your iOS device you are invited to install the partnering App from the App Store. This is a must-do, as you won’t be able to access your new storage without it. However, when connected to a traditional computer the iStick is mounted as a traditional USB drive.
So the hardware looks and works well, but how well does the all important app work?
It’s functional and serves a purpose but it’s fair to say that there are still several areas where the functionality of the app could be improved.
The iStick App
The app treats the internal memory on your device and the memory in the iStick as separate storage space, which may disappoint those wanting to increase internal storage. The app does provide access through to the files that are stored on the device though, and also access through to the media in your iOS photo album. This means you can view and copy between both sources.
The app also provides a media player. You can view or play files straight from the iStick without the need to copy the files onto your iPhone. This may be useful for trips where you need entertainment but don’t want to use valuable storage.
The App in Action
Where the app provides a really useful facility is the ability to very quickly copy images and videos from your iPhone or iPad onto the iStick allowing you to free up important internal storage for taking new photos.
I have to say though that the ability to send files to other applications is badly missing. Imagine how much stronger the app would be if you had the ability to send images straight to Snapseed or audio files straight to Garage Band from within the app.
Final Thoughts
As it is the iStick App is a useful tool that most iPhone users would find benefit from at some point. The addition of a few extra features would take it to a whole new level though, and turn it from a useful utility to a very productive tool.
A new version of the iStick software is due in the near future and we’ll provide an update on what extra features are included.
At the time of writing you can purchase an 8GB iStick for about £30, which for a ground-breaking iOS storage device seems like good value to me.
Hardware storage devices are still a rarity on the iPhone and the iStick provides a good starting point, if not a complete one. If you are looking for a option to quickly back up your media, then the iStick might be the ideal option for you.
You can purchase the iStick from the official website at http://www.myistick.co.uk/
