14 DAY TRIAL // Computex 2013 may be over (it took place in Taipei, Taiwan between June 4 and 8, 2013), but there are still some products that we haven't gotten around to writing about. There were just too many of them to cover.
The devices that were on display at PQI's booth are finally getting some attention on the part of the media, so here's the first: USB OTG.
When thinking of a USB flash drive, one envisions one of those small, stick-like things that store more than several DVDs put together on just a few chips.
The Power Drive is not that sort of USB drive though. Sure, it does have some storage support, but not of the same type. And it also isn't limited to that.
That's because it is a hybrid device, of sorts. It merges the benefits of a card reader (well, two card readers really), a portable power bank, and wireless connectivity through Wi-Fi.
The storage facet is covered by a microSD card slot and a normal-sized SD card slot.
The Wi-Fi support is the type that allows the Power Drive to behave like a wireless access point.
You just need to plug a cable into the RJ45 port (collapsible, to reduce drive thickness) and you're all set to stream music, videos and other files to and from your phones, tablets, PCs, etc.
In fact, when the memory card slots are filled, the Power Drive becomes a sort of independent data hub for every Wi-Fi-capable consumer electronic device in the vicinity.
All in all, the Power Drive is the most versatile, most adaptable and multi-talented device that PQI has ever made, at least as far as Wi-Fi devices go.
Sadly, specifications (like transfer speeds, top storage support, number of devices that can link to the Power Drive at any one time, etc.) are still largely unknown.