Seagate offers portable WiFi-connected storage for smartphones and tablets

Marina Freri
Tuesday, 23 August 2011 18:00

Your IT - Mobility

US-based provider of storage-devices, Seagate, has launched a battery-powered mobile storage device, GoFlex Satellite, designed to provide additional storage for, and content streaming to mobile devices over WiFi.

It measures 120mmx88mm, weighs 0.267 kg, has a capacity of 500GB and supports 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and is available for Apple iOS and Android devices. The built-in battery allows it to standby for 25 hours and to stream for 5. It has a range of 50 metres and can stream to three devices simultaneously. It will go on sale in September for $219.

Senior vice president of Seagate and managing director of Asia Pacific and Japan, BanSeng Teh, said: "There is a clear need for access to content that is not plagued with the challenges of streamed video over the Internet. The unfortunate fact is that these popular new mobile devices are hampered by their limited storage capacity while one of their primary functions is that of media consumption.

 "With the GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage, we wished to create an elegant solution that provides real value to the multitude of tablet users out there by delivering a seamless connection to local storage. No longer will a consumer feel as though it is a compromise to purchase a lower capacity tablet or iPad.

 "With GoFlex Satellite, people will be able to carry their entire media library with them without the need for wires or the web at a fraction of the cost of adding 3G or purchasing or a higher capacity tablet." he said.

GoFlex Satellite comes with Media Sync Software, which makes it easier to transfer media from a PC or Mac OS X computer. Media Sync can detect folders or libraries of files and load the desired content onto the GoFlex Satellite hard drive. Only files that are compatible with the relevant operating system - iOS or Android - will be loaded. In addition, GoFlex Satellite comes with a USB 3.0 cable, which could ease the transfer of files.