Windows Phone Thoughts: Options For Using Your PPC as a USB Mass Storage Device / Card Reader

If you had asked me a year ago what feature I wanted most in my Pocket PC, I would have unhesitatingly answered that I wanted the device to be able to function as a card reader when plugged into computers that did not have Activesync installed. I envisioned that this would make me way more productive as I'd never have to carry around a USB key again. It turns out that I was a bit wrong, since realizing that I found this feature cool more than actually needed it. Still, its a really nice feature when I do have the need for it, and I know a lot of people that would consider it a lifesaver.

Currently there are two programs on the market that allow you to do this with your Pocket PC. Softick Card Export II (There never was a I release for PPC, so you didn't miss anything) and a new program named WM5torage . The newer of the pair, WM5torage is freeware and only works on WM 5 (And apparently on smartphones as well). Softick's product, which was released last summer (And purchased by me within 48 hours of its release) supports WM 2003 devices and costs $14.95. I've been very pleased with Softick's release schedule (Releasing an update every 2 months or so), and their stated support for newer devices as they become available. I haven't had the chance to try WM5torage much, but it appears to be popular with those of us who have WM 5 devices and don't wish to buy software when a free alternative exists!

Are you interested in this type of functionality? Drawn in because it's cool? Use it every day? Let me know - I'm pretty curious as to how much use this software is, now that many laptops & desktops are coming with builtin card readers.

Note: This software is not the same as Deje's driver which allows your PPC to read USB Mass Storage devices, not to act as one!