Wireless USB is a standard that has been surprisingly slow to take root among computer accessory manufacturers, but the new Apollo Pro WX Wireless USB Backup Drive may just be one of the devices that jump starts the whole industry.
The Apollo Pro WX is essentially a portable hard drive that can connect to a computer either through traditional wired USB connections or wirelessly via Wireless USB on properly equipped computers. Set to ship in late 2008, this new and innovative drive is poised to become a must-have accessory due to the overwhelming potential and convenience of this wireless backup device.
What Is Wireless USB?
Wireless USB is a communications standard set forth by the Wireless USB Promoter Group in 2005. Over the years since it's adoption, manufacturers have been slow to incorporate it into devices, although there are a small variety of wireless USB printers and other devices currently on the market.
Other devices such as wireless notebook docking stations from Kensington have helped to increase the popularity of Wireless USB, but many technology pundits believe that wireless hard drives will be the killer application that will drive widescale adoption.
The Apollo Pro WX Drive As An Automatic Backup Device
Backing up data should be a critical part of every computer user's routine, but for users of notebook computers backing up is often a hassle. More often than not most notebook computer users never back up their data until it is too late.
The concept behind the Apollo Pro WX USB hard drive is that any time a laptop equipped with wireless USB is within range of an authorized Imation wireless drive, the backup process will start automatically and without connecting any additional cables. Taken to the next level, such a device could provide easy redundant backup of data back placing one Apollo Pro at home and one at the office. As the laptop is used at each location each drive downloads a copy of the backed up data. If one drive is destroyed in a fire, the other off-site drive is still intact.
Other Features of the Apollo Pro WX Hard Drive
When it ships the Apollo wireless drive will come in sizes from 250GB up to 1.5 TB in size. While the wireless USB specification promises speeds of up to 480 MBits/sec no transfer speeds have been published at this point. It is probably safe to assume that the Apollo Pro will not be able to transfer data at these high speeds even when in very close proximity to the computer.
When the drive ships in late 2008 it is sure to be a very expensive toy that will be grabbed by many enthusiasts, but only time will tell if the drive has the ability to truly become the next must have gadget.
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