Let me start by asking a question. Have you ever been presented with a situation where you need to transfer data from one USB device to another USB device but not had access to a computer to facilitate the task? If the answer is “yes” then perhaps this next product could be of interest. If the answer is “no” then maybe you should consider the possibility that this could be an experience waiting to happen and check out Belkin’s USB Anywhere offering.

The USB Anywhere is a device that allows you to connect two USB storage devices and copy data from one to the other at a click of a button. This silver pocket-size device measures 80 x 56 x 13mm (L x W x H). Power can either be mains using the supplied adapter or three AAA batteries (not supplied). The unit weighs approximately 50g without batteries. Dedicated, clearly labelled ports are available for attaching the source and destination USB devices. Appropriately positioned to affect the normal direction of data flow, the source port is on the left of the device and the destination port is on the right. Positioned between the two ports are power and copy buttons plus status lights which flashes to indicate when a transfer is in operation and the devices are being recognised.

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USB Anywhere supports two methods of transfer selected by a small switch on the side of the device. These modes are entitled Full and Root. As you would expect from their names, Full copies all the data on the source while Root ignores folders and just copies data stored in the root directory of the device.

The USB Anywhere device feels rather flimsy and, at one stage, as I removed it from its packaging, almost came apart. However it was still able to perform its designated task. While the power button was able to turn the device on, it had no affect at turning off the power. Fortunately this turning-off happens automatically after a brief period of inactivity or once a transfer process has been completed.

When inserting the source and destination devices, a green light will pulse for a few seconds as each USB device is recognised and the light will have a steady green glow to indicate that recognition is completed. These lights also flash during the transfer process. USB Anywhere could never by accused of being a speed demon but the data transfer rate achieved is reasonable especially as the device can be left unattended during the copying process. It took 16 minutes 47 seconds to copy 161MB of data from one device to another. Unfortunately no indication is given as to the time required for neither the process nor an audible warning to signal the copying has been completed. The copied content is placed in its own folder automatically created on the destination device.

Considering the rather flimsy construction and limited functionality, the asking price of £27.99 does seem a little on the steep side but you do get a lifetime warranty. Road warriors should appreciate this device especially if they need to copy data when on their travels.

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