If you’ve ever wanted to easily transfer a file between your PC (Mac, Windows) and Android device, or files between your Android smartphone and tablet that didn’t rely on the cloud, then you’ve been out of luck till now. Sony has announced a new dual 2-in-1 flash drive which houses a micro USB port on one end and a full-size USB port on the other end. This new dual USB drive will allow you to easily transfer files between devices without the need of the cloud, Bluet00th, or Wi-Fi. Now let’s talk details, including price and availability.

To make the transferring of files easy, the USB drive will need an app from Sony, appropriately titled “File Manager” which you can find for free on the Google Play store. Once installed, the app will search your device of choice for media and other transferable data with options like “copy,” “delete,” “playback,” and “sort files.” Viviano Cantu, director of consumer media marketing, Sony Electronics:

 Consumers want to let a friend see the photo they just took or share a video easily with as few steps as possible. These new drives combine convenience, peace of mind and performance and are perfect for mobile multi-tasking. 

Available this January and compatible with devices running Android 4.0.3 to 4.3 (with an update for Android 4.4 coming in the near future), they can be had for:

• 8 GB (USM-8SA1/B) – $19.99
• 16 GB (USM-16SA1/B) – $29.99
• 32 GB (USM-32SA1/B) – $62.99

While a wonderful idea and surely to be useful for those heavily invested into the Android ecosystem, it remains to be seen if Sony will actually market this device and sell millions or if it will quietly be launched with little fanfare. Here is hoping that Sony chooses the former option before a competitor (Samsung?) swoops in and markets this as their own original idea and sells them in droves.

Discuss:

Is there a market for a dual USB flash drive like this?

[Via Sony]