Windows Phone Thoughts: Toshiba 5 GB Bluetooth Hard Drive

Interesting concept - we heard about this product earlier this year, and it looks like Toshiba started shipping this device in Japan this month. It's a powerful concept, although I think it makes the most sense when paired with a Bluetooth digital camera - local storage would just be a buffer while the image is written to the hard drive. Again though, the Bluetooth bandwidth limitation comes up - 96 KB/s (768 Kbps) isn't very fast for storing 10+ MB images from a camera in RAW format. Still, it's great to see Toshiba innovating on this front.



"Toshiba Corporation today announced the commercial release of HOPBIT, a personal mobile server that combines the wireless connectivity of BluetoothTM with the storage capabilities of a large capacity hard disk drive. Small enough to slip into a pocket and light enough to carry everywhere, HOPBIT is a powerful personal tool that can transmit, receive and store large volume data sources--including images and music--communicate with digital networks, and provide a new dimension in portable memory for personal information equipment, such as PDA and PC.

HOPBIT is a new concept in personal data storage that integrates short-range BluetoothTM wireless technology with a 5GB, 1.8-inch HDD, giving it the ability to store some 1000 pieces of music1, almost 37 hours of moving images2, and about 3000 digital pictures3. Toshiba-developed anti-vibration and shock technology assure error-free operation, even when on the move with the HOPBIT stored in a hand-carried bag, such as an attaché case."