Kingston demos wireless storage device
Posted by Richard Strange on Sun, Jan 16, 2011 @ 07:02 AM
Kingston has been demoing its forthcoming portable wireless storage device, codenamed MobiSX, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this month. It’s designed to fix the storage problems that haunt mobile gadget users with products such as Apple's iPad and iPhone.
Compact and capable, delivering multiple video streams to different devices
The flash storage device will be available in 16 or 32GB capacities, and has 802.11n Wi-Fi with a range of around 30ft.
The MobiSX was demo'd simultaneously streaming separate movies to two iPads and an iPhone – with each one playing a different movie. Content stored on the MobiSX is accessed from a directory viewed on mobile device browser, eliminating any need for an app to be installed.
Lightweight and battery powered, Kingston’s MobiSX looks rather like a black iPod Touch, minus the screen. It has two status lights, a power button, a recessed reset pinhole and a mini USB port which can be used for both charging and data transfer. The battery life is said to be around four hours, with a six-hour full recharge time.
More than just a hint of iPhone styling but the MobiSX will be developed for multiple platforms
The MobiSX needn’t function only as storage expansion for nearby mobile devices. Its range can be extended with existing Wi-Fi set-ups – adding in the unit as you’d configure a wireless printer – which has the added benefit of improving battery life.
Despite using iOS devices for its demo, Kingston is keen to stress that this is not an exclusive iOS accessory. In effect, it’s an ultraportable Nas box and will be developed to work with other devices, including Android, and will support a range of formats for playback.
Kingston anticipates the MobiSX will be available in Q2, although it may have a new name by then. The target price of the 16GB model will be under $100, though, as ever, it’s likely to be more in the UK. Ask your Network Group reseller for details.