Have a quick think about something; the last time you bought yourself a new phone or tablet, did you have to resort to lower amounts of storage space than you actually wanted? Although some devices have expandable storage nowadays, there’s a growing number that use a ‘unibody’ design which makes adding extra storage impossible (e.g. Apple products).
The solution has generally been cloud storage like Dropbox, but even like that you’re reliant on a stable internet connection and we all know what that’s like – unreliable!
That’s where devices like Kingston’s MobileLite Wireless come in.
How MobileLite Wireless Works
Kingston’s MobileLite Wireless is a portable device that doubles as a SD card/USB reader as well as a charger for your phone. It has its own WiFi network too, so when you want to access movies and other media that you couldn’t otherwise store on your phone – simply connect to its network and there you have all of your files.
The device works well because it isn’t limited by internal memory like its older model, the Wi-drive. You simply have to hook it up to your WiFi network through your phone or tablet’s dedicated app, connect your phone to the MobileLite’s WiFi network and that’s it – you have access to the internet whilst accessing your media on the device.
Size & Design
Unlike wireless hard drives that can be relatively larger & bulkier – the MobileLite Wireless is actually really lightweight and is roughly the size of your average phone, albeit slightly taller (see image below).
Carrying it around during the day is unnoticeable if you place in a jacket pocket or a bag, so it isn’t a device that’ll be troublesome to carry around with you either.
When you use an SD card it fits snugly in to the main body of the MobileLite, keeping it tucked away safely and maintaining the subtle form factor of the device. When you use the USB port it’s a different story though. Unless you insert a micro-USB, the stick will be on the outside of the device which slightly compromises portability and personally, I’d be hesitant about using it like that simply because of the risk of damage.
Android & iOS App
Although the design of the app itself is nothing to write home about, the functionality of it is really useful. Assuming for example that your device’s memory is full because you’ve gone overboard with photos on a day out. Traditionally you’d have no way of taking those photos off of your device until you get home – but with the MobileLite Wireless app you’re able to import photos from your camera roll on to the USB or SD card attached. You can even copy & paste files from the SD/USB to your device, and vice versa.
To top that off, you’re also able to share your media on social media directly from your USB/SD card too.
Multi-user Access
Another impressive feature is that this little gadget is able to stream media to up to three devices without having a noticeable impact on performance. So whether it’s a family road trip or a flight across the continent, the MobileLite Wireless will be able to keep everyone entertained with their favourite media – no more bickering between the kids about what movie they want to watch!
Secondary Battery
Have you ever noticed how your phone’s battery seems to die at the worst possible times? Annoying right? Well that brings me to one of my favourite perks of this device; it works as a backup charger. Of course if you have a mains socket nearby, the MobileLite Wireless becomes pretty much obsolete as a charger – but if you’re constantly on the move without access to power then you’ll love this feature.
It’s worth noting that unfortunately it won’t really support tablet charging, simply because tablets require a much larger power supply.
Pricing
When you take in to account that a 32GB iPad costs £80 more than the 16GB model, using the MobileLite Wireless you have virtually uncapped potential of external memory. Considering the cost & size of alternative solutions like portable external hard drives – this gadget gives you good value for your money at just under £50.
MobileLite Wireless: The Bottom Line
Whilst the aesthetic design is minimal and easy on the eye, you can’t help but wonder why the MobileLite Wireless wasn’t made more compact to improve the portability factor.
Either way, it’s definitely a worthwhile purchase for media junkies or someone who’ll find themselves needing to share media between multiple devices (like in a family environment). Considering the price point, it simply makes more financial sense than buying a phone or tablet with additional internal storage, because ultimately you’ll still be limited to that pre-set amount.
Ultimately though, I can confidently say that it’s a gadget that’ll have a welcome home in my bag during my rush hour commutes to work.
