SD card slots are standard in most portable devices, particularly if those devices are tablets or smartphones. Not including such a feature can be a deal-breaker, given the devices' propensity for multimedia, especially if their storage capacity is limited to 8 or 16 gigabytes (GBs). Andy & Rich, the designers of the Mini MicroSD Reader, thought this was so asinine that they took matters into their own hands and designed an external reader that works with the majority of tablets and smartphones. Simply insert the mini microSD card into the reader, and then plug the reader into the microUSB port of your device.
The Mini MicroSD Reader supports both MicroSDHC and MicroSDXC cards, thus expanding storage capacity by 32 or 64 GBs depending on the card you select. Additionally, future SDXC cards will eventually increase this amount by up to two terabytes, two-thousand gigabytes, significantly increasing the amount of content that can be stored.
Relevance
Tablets are light and compact alternatives to laptops, but this advantage is also directly responsible for their biggest disadvantage: minimal storage capacity. Using cloud storage is one way of combating this issue; but if there's no Internet connectivity available, then workflow may be hindered. Any way of expanding storage without increasing bulk is a welcome addition.
What devices will it work on?
The USB IC chip being used in the reader was tested by the developers to ensure the largest range of compatibility with most mobile devices, and is the standard chip used in brand-name readers. For a list of all the tested devices, visit the Mini MicroSD Reader’s kickstarter page. In summary, popular items such as the Google Nexus 7 and 10, the Samsung Galaxy S3 as well as the Samsung Galaxy Note II are all supported.
The design
Comparing the size of things relative to quarters seems to be the trend lately; similar to the Devoctec Fuel, the smallest emergency phone charger in the world, the Mini MicroSD Reader is also the size of a quarter. With that said, a small hole in the cap enables the reader to be looped onto a key ring for convenient transportation. Grooves in the base of the microUSB connector secure the cap safely so there's no risk of losing your reader.
The prototype seen here does not reflect the finished product, which use a piano black finish.
Longevity risks
As long as microUSB ports are integrated into mobile devices, the reader will remain relevant. However, USB support ultimately depends on the manufacturer, and there is always the possibility that the maker may choose to disable USB support in future products.
Visit the Mini MicroSD Reader’s kickstarter page for extra information.
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