On-the-Go USB 3.0 is here

For lay users, the USB data stick is the closest they get to experiencing Flash storage every day, to exchange files between PCs, laptops and other devices. With tablets and phones, there was a small glitch: you could not drag-n-drop files from stick to screen. The new On-The-Go or OTG USB sticks overcome this problem. They can switch between the role of master and slave, host and client. Once you install a small OTG app, you can switch data at will, between phone or tablet and PC or laptop.

I am trying out Kingston's Data Traveler microDuo 3.0 which does just this, at the USB 3.0 speed which is theoretically 10 times faster than USB 2.0. It has a standard USB port on one side and a micro USB on the other, the type found on phones. Of course, you will get these zippy transfer speeds, only if both devices are USB 3.0-compliant and as of now, few phones or tablets are.The typical prices on the Web for the Data Traveler microDuo 3.0 are 64 GB: Rs 2,049 ; 32 GB: Rs 1,099 and 16GB Rs 638, all lower than MRP.

SanDisk has a similar range of OTG sticks - the Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0, specifically for exchanging data with Android devices, at promised speeds of 130 MBPS. The prices are very similar.

For Phone and Ipad users, the Mumbai based Creative Peripherals, has brought the PhotoFast i-FlashDrive to India - a cross-platform OnTheGo device that allows you to transfer files between Apple smartphones or tablets and any desktop regardless of Operating System.Available in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB & 64GB sizes at Rs 5100, 5800, Rs 7300 and Rs 14650 respectively, i-Flash has two pinouts, standard and micro (Lightning) USB 3.0. It provides easy back up for phones and can be password protected.

 All these devices are a bit costlier than equivalent USB 2.0 versions, but worth the extra for the speed.