Review: SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Review: SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0" src="http://ift.tt/1E2HQED"/><br/><br /><h3>Introduction and specs</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>As a Droid User with a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, I find that transferring files is always a nuisance. Partially because I primarily work on a Mac, but also because I find the software that is used to pair my Droid to my computer is just awful.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive is a great way to mediate the challenges of transferring files to and from your OTG-enabled Android device. You just plug in the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive into your Android, or Windows/Mac OS X computer, and transfer files.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>On the Android, the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive mounts automatically and you can access files from the device directly or copy them locally. On a computer, the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive pops up just like a normal flash drive, which allows an easy drag-and-drop methodology to transferring files.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The drive makes it easy to manage your files on the go, especially if you're a power user and never have the time to unload your SD Card on your Android. No prep needed for transferring files here - you just copy and plug in.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Specs</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive is a small thumb drive with a slider that enables you to switch between a USB 3.0 connector and Micro-USB connector. When I say small, I mean small, as the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive itself measures only 0.43 in x 0.78 in x 1.44 in (11mm x 19.8mm x 36.6 mm).</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive comes in three different sizes: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The cost of the different models won't hurt your wallet. The cost of the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive 16GB model is $12.35 (£8.31, AU$16.18), 32GB is $18.98 (£12.77, AU$24.86), and 64GB is $36.25 (£24.39, AU$47.48).</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Be aware: the sliding mechanism is cheap and feels flimsy. The casing is good, but mine broke when I was taking the device out of my USB port. The drive still works but the casing is shattered. But I guess this is to be expected for such an inexpensive device.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Performance and verdict</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive does a good job at auto-mounting on your Android, assuming you have an OTG-enabled device. In terms of data transfer, it handles large files well. Movies for example, are really easy to transfer to your Android device. You simply copy all of the movies you'd like to transfer into the device's folder and they transfer over to the device itself. You can use the SanDisk Memory Zone app to do all the file copying and moving that you need or you can use any File Viewer app of your choosing.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The Memory Zone App is easy, it selects all files and puts them into categories, and you can easily back up your phone to your flash drive. You can choose to back up your built-in SD or an external SD, and the drive will back up photos, contacts, documents, movies and music. While the Memory Zone App will not do a complete back up to the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive like the Titanium App would, it does make it easier to back up your Android device without having to root it.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The transfer speeds weren't exactly USB 3.0 but they were fair. Using ATTO Benchmark, the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive got the following speeds:</p><br /><br/><br /><p>On USB 2.0:</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Average Write was 18Mbps</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Average Read was 33Mbps</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p>On USB 3.0:</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Average Write was 32Mbps</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Average Read was 110Mbps</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><h3>Verdict</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>You're not getting the world with this device. However, you shouldn't expect miracle tools for such a small amount of money. What you are getting is a capable drive that fits a niche, but important role. Ultimately, the question you've got to ask yourself is, do the following pros and cons align with your specific needs?</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>We liked</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive is easy to use and, if you have a Droid, it might make sense to replace your normal USB 3.0 flash drives with this. Why not? The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive allows you the option of transferring directly to your device on the go.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Not having to Root your device is nice and since the KitKat launch, I find it super difficult to move things from internal SD to external SD because some Android OS write protects the external. WIth SanDisk's Ultra Dual USB Drive, you don't need to worry about write protection, rooting, or anything.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>We disliked</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Write speeds were not amazing but they were fair. The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive construction is poor. The sliding mechanism is cheap and feels flimsy. The casing is good but mine broke on me when I was taking it out of my USB port. The device still works but the casing is shattered.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>This device is ideal for the Android enthusiast, but in all other instances, the drive seems superfluous. For example, whenever I use my Droid, I've either uploaded files in one of two ways: inputting the micro-sd card into an adapter (though transfer speeds are poor), or I have set up my Android device as a Wireless Mountpoint to transfer files wirelessly. However, neither of these options is as fast as the SanDisk Drive. So, if speed is something you are concerned with, then the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive makes sense for you.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Final verdict</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive is a cool device, but it may not be worth purchasing if you're not an Android enthusiast concerned with file transfer speeds. Just be mindful of the drive's cheap build and, understand that what you're purchasing is a luxury item and not a necessity. With all of that taken into consideration, it probably makes sense for you to purchase one: it can be bought for as little money as a movie ticket and it may just come in handy one day.</p><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1JKWe39" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1FT0Wxo" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1FT0WNC"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1JKWe3d" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1JKWe3f"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1FT0Vcz" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1FT0VcB"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1JKWbnX"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1FT0WNQ"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1JKWbo1" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1JKWbo3" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />From <a href="http://ift.tt/yaGhNV">techradar</a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1COAk9l<br/></div>

Review: SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0

Introduction and specs As a Droid User with a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, I find that transferring files is always a nuisance. Partially becau...

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Lenovo's WRITEit app makes text input a doddle

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Lenovo's WRITEit app makes text input a doddle" src="http://ift.tt/1BBgzDg"/><br/><br /><p>Lenovo wants to revolutionize the way we input text into our <a href="http://ift.tt/14ad0ox">Windows 8.1</a> tablets and PCs through a new app that makes handwriting more useful than ever.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>WRITEit gets users to handwrite information on a pen-enabled tablet or PC that it then converts to text to be used by the website or program in question with an engine that is designed to work seamlessly.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>"Users told us they wanted a more natural, intuitive and accurate handwriting experience, and that's exactly what WRITEit delivers," said Mark Cohen, VP of the Ecosystem and Monetization Business Group at Lenovo.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>WRITEit's technology works in the background to convert handwriting into text characters and there is even a suggestion tool that provides alternatives to words that aren't recognized by the system.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Which slates get it?</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The technology works well with email, social media, online forms and more, according to Lenovo, and is so far only available for the ThinkPad Yoga, Helix, and 10, and the Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch with Windows featuring AnyPen technology.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>It can be downloaded right now free of charge and Lenovo hopes to bring it to more <a href="http://ift.tt/YRXM92">Windows</a> devices later on this year.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Check it out: <a href="http://ift.tt/1FGFBmA">Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 with AnyPen review</a> </li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1FT0W0c" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1JKWb7l" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1FT0U8F"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1FT0U8H" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1JKWdMu"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1JKWdMw" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1JKWb7p"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1FT0UoZ"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1JKWdMy"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1FT0Up5" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1JKWdMC" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />From <a href="http://ift.tt/yaGhNV">techradar</a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1POnthr<br/></div>

Lenovo's WRITEit app makes text input a doddle

Lenovo wants to revolutionize the way we input text into our Windows 8.1 tablets and PCs through a new app that makes handwriting more usef...

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Microsoft Band hits the UK, with more sensors and a cheaper price than the Apple Watch

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Microsoft Band hits the UK, with more sensors and a cheaper price than the Apple Watch" src="http://ift.tt/1LYX52H"/><br/><br /><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1w34eon">Microsoft Band</a>, the tech titan's first foray into wearable technology, has just been launched in the UK.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The device is aimed at helping people live healthier lives and become more productive regardless of what smartphone they have, as it works with Windows Phone, iOS and Android devices.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Although the Band won't win any awards for style, it's been getting plaudits thanks to its large array of sensors which help it accurately track the wearer's health.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>It can be bought for £169.99 – a fair bit cheaper than the <a href="http://ift.tt/1seQ3O2">Apple Watch</a> – through the <a href="http://ift.tt/1CNmkfY">Microsoft Store</a> and various retailers.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1Mxl9ZQ">Apple Watch vs Microsoft Band</a> </p><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1HtT8Bh" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1HtT8Bn" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />From <a href="http://ift.tt/yaGhNV">techradar</a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1COAjSx<br/></div>

Microsoft Band hits the UK, with more sensors and a cheaper price than the Apple Watch

Microsoft Band , the tech titan's first foray into wearable technology, has just been launched in the UK. The device is aimed at helping...

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Mac Photos app now live on latest OS X Yosemite update

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Mac Photos app now live on latest OS X Yosemite update" src="http://ift.tt/1CgraTP"/><br/><br /><p>Apple's new Photos app has finally arrived with the latest <a href="http://ift.tt/1y5gjzK">OS X Yosemite</a> operating system for Macs. Now, users on Apple's Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook will have access to Apple's new photo viewing and editing app, which replaces iPhoto and Aperture, along with other features on OS X 10.10.3.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The new <a href="http://ift.tt/16opT3z">Photos</a> app allows users to organize their photos into Moments, Collections, Shared albums, Albums, and Projects. The new app also allows users to convert their digital memories into analog ones with options to purchase prints and photo books.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>In addition to the new Photos app, the update also contains bugfixes and performance improvements. OS X 10.10.3 should improve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance, improve reliability of screen sharing, and bring better security to the Safari browser.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Developers will find support for the new Force Touch touchpad on the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display and the new 12-inch MacBook.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>OS X 10.10.3 is now available as a free update in the Mac App Store.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Other new features</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The update also brings with it 300 new emoji to Apple's Messages app to keep it in line with the release of iOS 8.3 for iPhone and iPad users. The main feature of the emoji is the use of different skin tones as Apple embraces racial diversity.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>For enterprise customers, OS X 10.10.3 also:</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Addresses an issue that could cause Macs bound to an Active Directory server to become unresponsive at startup</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Provides the ability to set a umask that's respected by GUI apps</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Fixes an issue installing a configuration profile for 802.1x with EAP-TLS</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Resolves an issue where folders from a DFS share point might "disappear" when viewed from the Finder on some Macs</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><p>Additionally, iCloud Photo Library is now out of beta. With iCloud Photo Library, users can browse their photo collection from any OS X Yosemite or iOS 8 device, making it easier to share photos and organize pictures into shared albums.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Read our <a href="http://ift.tt/1y5gjzK">OS X Yosemite</a> review</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Kuh" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVyEOF" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1It9JGP"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVyCpT" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Kuj"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVyEOM" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Kul"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVyCq1"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Kup"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1CVyF57" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1It9JH0" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1c9tHsU<br/></div>

Mac Photos app now live on latest OS X Yosemite update

Apple's new Photos app has finally arrived with the latest OS X Yosemite operating system for Macs. Now, users on Apple's Mac Pro, ...

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iOS 8.3 brings greater diversity to your iPhone emoji

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="iOS 8.3 brings greater diversity to your iPhone emoji" src="http://ift.tt/1CgraDr"/><br/><br /><p>Apple's latest <a href="http://ift.tt/XKhDqu">iOS</a> update arrives today for all users, bringing with it a greater diversity of emoji and other improvements.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The update, which brings the system up to version 8.3, adds more than 300 new emoji - including the universal gesture, the thumbs up - with a wider range of skin colors than before.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>More countries' flags are also represented, and naturally there's a new <a href="http://ift.tt/WSREN7">Apple Watch</a> emoji too.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>This update also tweaks the iPhone's keyboard, expanding the space bar at the expense of some of the "." button's real estate.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>CarPlay and more</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The other major change is the addition of <a href="http://ift.tt/P5HAwS">Apple CarPlay</a> support, which lets users connect their iPhones to their cars' dashboard displays.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>And the update includes additional languages for Siri and dictation, plus improvements to orientation/rotation, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. iOS 8.3 rolls out over the air to all users beginning today.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><a href="http://ift.tt/1uj411Y">iPhone 6</a>: bigger, better, sleeker and faster</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Hi5" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVyEhz" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1It9J9Z"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVyEhB" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Hi9"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVyBSX" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Hib"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1CVyEhF"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Hid"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1CVyEhJ" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1It9Jqh" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1c9tHsM<br/></div>

iOS 8.3 brings greater diversity to your iPhone emoji

Apple's latest iOS update arrives today for all users, bringing with it a greater diversity of emoji and other improvements. The update...

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Hands-on review: Updated: Apple Watch

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1c9tIwQ<br/></div>

Hands-on review: Updated: Apple Watch

from http://bit.ly/1c9tIwQ

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