Western Digital’s latest external hard-drive couldn’t have arrived at a better time for a company that makes its bread and butter encouraging people to back-up their files on physical devices.
Following the iCloud celebrity hacking scandal, many consumers are wondering whether their data is safe floating around in cyberspace.
WDs answer is a Wi-Fi-enabled hard drive that allows people to quickly transfer content back and forth from the drive without having to store data in the cloud or even on their mobile or computing device.
The idea is that users can quickly photographs and videos shot on their phone or tablet and then free up space on their device in order to download more apps and take more pictures.
The WD Passport Wireless, which comes in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB forms, can be accessed by up to eight devices at a time (four for video streaming), meaning users can stream high definition movies to a tablet while another family member could be listening to music stored on the drive.
The device broadcasts its own wireless network enabling users to be able
to connect to the drive without wires or an internet connection. The drive is also equipped with dual-antenna MIMO tech which enables data transfers at a rapid 80mbps, while also boasting a rechargeable battery that runs for up to six hours when continuously streaming media.
Via the MyCloud app for iOS and Android, it’ll also allow users to save and access their stored content without saving it to the internet, while the device itself can also be used as a Wi-Fi hub in the presence of an internet connect.
Photographers might also consider this solution as the WD Passport Wireless has a microSD card slot, with one touch backup for easy transfer of pictures.
USB 3.0 is also on board, while the drive works with PCs and Macs as well as iOS and Android devices.
It went on sale on Tuesday, starting at £109 for the 500GB version, while £129 and £199 is the asking price for the larger 1TB and 2TB versions.
Read more: Celebrity iCloud hack puts Apple in eye of the storm
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
