As an iPhone or iPad user, one has to be content with the device's internal storage as iOS devices don't support expandable memory. SanDisk's new compact iXpand flash drive, available in 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB storage capacities, promises to put an end to storage woes.
The second generation iXpand flash drive is an improved piece of hardware that be connected to a PC as well as an iPhone or iPad, although not at the same time. It is sleek, just like a pen drive. There is a regular USB at one end and a lightning port on the other, connected with a flexible cable so that it can easily be connected to iPhones or iPads with thick covers. It can be plugged into a USB port of a computer, just like a regular thumb drive for accessing content. The lightning port can be plugged into to an iPhone or iPad using the iXpand app - available on the App Store for free. Once installed, the iXpand flash drive can be used to copy data to and from the iOS device to the flash drive, and vice versa.
The app, too, has been reworked, making it much more intuitive to use. The home page shows available storage on the iPhone as well as the flash drive. There are options such as copy files, view files, and back-up and restore. You can copy photos to and from your phone or the iXpand drive. You can choose a location to store the files. Once the content is copied from the phone to the drive, the app prompts you to free up space on the iPhone by deleting the original files. The view file option is divided into two tabs - iXpand and iPhone - with categories such as images, videos, music and folders (camera, music, photos and videos). You can back up and restore the entire photo library, social media content and contacts under back-up and restore.
While the drive can be used for transferring music to the iPhone, it doesn't get added directly to the default music app. Instead, it gets stored on the iXpand app and can be played from the same location. It can also be used for viewing documents stored on the drive. You also have the option of securing files that can be moved to the SanDisk Secure Access Vault folder, which is password protected. The camera icon on the app lets you capture and save images and videos directly to the iXpand drive, thus not adding to storage issues.
However, not everything is great about this flash drive. Unlike the first generation drive that had an internal battery, this one doesn't and, hence, drains your iPhone battery when copying files. Also, the maximum file size for a single file at 4 GB is restricting. The iXpand drive works well on the iPad, too, but it worked only in portrait mode on my 9.7-inch iPad Pro. The company claims to have fixed this orientation issue with an app update, but even the iPad needs to be updated to the latest OS, 9.3.2, when available.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT: A handy storage drive for iPhone and iPad users
PRICE: Rs 3,990 for 16 GB
RATING: 4.5/5
PLUS: Ease of use, compact size
MINUS: Drains device battery
@nidhisingal