SanDisk’s new Connect Wireless Stick is pretty cool

This week, SanDisk had a little media briefing for the launch of its Connect Wireless Stick, shown above. We all know what flash drives are for; you plug them in, drag your files on or off, and use the flash drive to carry your data around with you, to a new computer, or whatever your need may be. SanDisk have made some pretty cool solid-state storage options in the past, but this offers a new dimension.

The Connect Wireless Stick features a high capacity up to 128GB, and partner apps for Android and iOS that make using the device a breeze. The premise is simple; the drive, a bit larger than the average USB flash drive, has a built-in wireless hotspot, allowing you to share files with up to three devices simultaneously, without the need of a computer in between. Simply copy your files to the drive, load up the SanDisk app on your device, and you can access those files wirelessly.

This works in reverse too, and that’s where some of the cool can really be found; say your phone is full of photos and you want to back them up. Normally, you’d need a computer of some sort (especially for iOS) and you’d have to back them up over a cable to your computer, or over the Internet to a cloud provider. With the SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick, you can copy your photos straight from your phone to the device without the need of cables or adaptors, and it’s pretty damned quick too.

The show-off feature? You can stream content from the stick to a device. Fill up your Connect Wireless Stick with movies, music or what have you, and you can stream that straight from your stick to your phone or tablet, to enjoy it on the go. It sounds easy, and it really is. With up to 4.5 hours battery life per charge (and it charges fairly quickly) you’ll be able to last on the go for a while.

The SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick is available in capacities from 16GB to 128GB, ranging from $49.95 to $179.95.