Not all Android devices support MicroSD cards, so sometimes this means you’re restricted to whatever internal storage you opted for when selecting your smartphone or tablet. Well the Meenova Android MicroSD Reader is one way of getting around this predicament.
Not altogether too dissimilar to a MicroSD USB card reader you might use with your PC or MAC or transfer files, the Meenova instead features a MicroUSB connection meaning it can plug directly into a select number of Android devices that feature USB On-The-Go support.
This list of supported devices include the Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4, HTC One, the Nexus 5, and both versions of the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 10 tablets. Support for the various devices will vary, however, from read-only access or the use of third-party software such as Nexus Media Importer (as is the case of the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 on which the adapter was tested). Be sure to check the list of supported devices first before investing in one of these to avoid disappointment.
In the box you’ll receive a Mini MicroSD Card Reader, Snaphook and ring attachment, meaning you can easily attach the reader to your keyring. You’ll also receive a USB-to-MicroUSB Adapter so you can easily connect to your PC or MAC to transfer videos and anything else you might want to the MicroSD card. Note that a MicroSD card is not included, which is understandable given the low $12.00 price of the reader.
The Meenova is able to read MicroSD, MicroSDHC and MicroSDXC up to a whopping 64GB in size. This means you can carry an entire catalogue of movies with you in case you ever get bored, and being able to clip the adapter to your keyring means you shouldn’t get caught without some form of entertainment.
A minor complaint about the keyring attachment is that the snaphook attaches to the main body of the reader. Why is this a complaint you ask? It means that when you detach the reader from your keychain, you have to find a way to look after the cover cap that protects the MicroUSB connection.
What would have been more sensible is if the snaphook attached to the cover cap, meaning you just needed to detach the reader itself, making it more convenient and meaning the cap was accounted for. As it stands, you need to make sure you don’t lose the cap when you’re using the Meenova, which can be a pain.
Plug the device in and Nexus Media Importer offers to mount the storage device, from which you are then able to access the files contained. It’s all really straight forward and the experience will be familiar for anyone who has plugged a USB flash drive in via a USB OTG cable in the past. The overall experience, however, is far more elegant without the extra cable dangling out of your device and means holding the device is less cumbersome.
The Meenova reader itself is small in size, making a secure connection when plugged into the MicroUSB port on both the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7. Its official dimensions are 21x23x8 mm which is around the size of a 10 pence coin (with the cap removed). The Meenova is available in white, black, grey and orange colours.
Another minor annoyance is the blinking coloured LED that pulsates when data is being read from the adapter. If you’re using your device in a darkened room, it can be slightly distracting.
Aside from the minor niggles of the LED and peculiar snaphook attachment location, there is very little to complain about when it comes to the Meenova. It essentially does what it sets out to do and with its low price I have little reservation recommending it to anyone looking to expand their storage options for their Android device.
If you have a smartphone like the Nexus of HTC one, this is a great accessory. For only US $12 you can attach a small microSD reader to your phone. Check out the link for details on compatible phones.
