o2 Exec USB?

[MGSteve]

Hi, I'm going on Holiday soon and want to use my XDA Exec to view photos I take with my digital camera (beats taking the laptop along just to do that).

Now, I understand the Exec doesn't have Host functionality through the USB port, so is there any other way of getting the photos off a Sony Memorystick and onto the XDA?

I've looked around for a USB Host SDIO card and can't find one (not sure the XDA Exec would support it anyway).

Anyone got any suggestions?

TIA

[Gajet]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I saw a device in PC World that looked like a USB hub, but it was for connecting digital cameras to USB memory sticks, however I only briefly looked at the picture on the box and didn't check it out closely.
Might be worth asking at PC World though in case I didn't imagine it. For gods sake don't mention the exec to the staff there, as they are completely incapable of thinking, but if it would work for a memory stick it might be able to work for the exec, especially as there is a thread around here about making the exec appear as usb memory to a PC.

I found this link http://homepage.mac.com/techedgeezine/2004-0624_syncbox1.htm
and
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SyncBox-Portable-USB-2-0-Data-Copier-Wireless-Drive-ET_W0QQitemZ5232874442QQcategoryZ162QQcmdZViewItem
At the very worst you'd have to get one of these and a small SD card reader to plug into the USB stick slot.

[markh]

I have the same problem.

Another device is the Delkin USB Bridge:

http://www.delkin.com/delkin_products_usb_bridge.html

Similar idea but the Macally SyncBox allows you to copy a subset of the files by storing them in a folder called SyncBox though you won't be able to move files into that folder on most digital cameras.

If you want to turn your PDA into a USB mass storage device get a USB sync cable and this software:

http://www.softick.com/pocket-pc/cardexport2/

The problem I have with the USB bridge type devices is that they copy everything. I have a Vosonic 6230 MultiMedia Viewer:

http://www.vosonic.com/index.php?PA=product&id=10&kind_id=12

It's a portable HD with multi-card reader. So basically you can copy files from MS card to HD and then from HD to SD card. Not as cheap or light as a USB bridge but you can also use it as extra storage for your PDA and camera or a video player which can connect to a TV.

[markh]

Looking on Macally site, they now have SyncBox II which allows you to copy individual files:

http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/input_device/syncbox2.html

Why don't more manufacturers implement USB host? It would make PDAs a lot more useful.

[markh]

The SyncBox II isn't available yet but Memorex have 2 similar devices - one with multi-card reader, one without:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/26/swap-data-on-the-go-with-memorex-travellink-and-travelsync/

But I don't think it's currently available from a UK retailer.