If Not The Nexus, Then...

[speede541]

If you need UMS you'll have to buy a phone with a microSD card slot "or a separate partition like Nexus S.

...and that's the unfortunate reality of it. Again, a tough compromise -- one which Google saw the benefit of a single massive block of usable storage vs. the partitioned approach that improves usability AND allows apps to access all available memory.

But it's important for the SD-card lovers to keep in mind that just because this is Google's vision, and just because the Nexus eliminates this option, doesn't mean that ICS won't support it on other devices. It will. So if it's an important feature, there should be Android 4.0 devices with removable SD (or at least UMS support) in the first half of 2012.

I recall that Dan also wrote that it is possible to partition the Nexus' memory (the /sdcard directory is just that -- a directory -- and not a separate partition). But I don't know if partitioning a portion of the 32GB will have the desired effect of allowing it to be unmounted and handed off to a PC or a car audio player.

 

[BoogieNYC]

Both. Galaxy Nexus is recognized as an MTP or PTP device when hooked up to a computer. On Windows, it will basically be identical to before (USB mass storage), but Mac and Linux may require additional software to recognize the phone.

Since Honeycomb, Android has supported USB host mode. Using a USB OTG adapter, you can connect USB devices such as flash drives, game controllers, etc and the phone/tablet will recognize it.

What he said.

All I was trying to say was that it's one single volume lol.

Either of you guys have a link to an OTG adapter? I did some poking around (Newegg, Monoprice) and haven't come across anything sufficient. Again, not the biggest of deals, but it might come in very handy transferring everything over to the Nexus when/if it arrives on Thursday (fingers crossed)

And any chance the OTG would work with a reader like this?

FastFurnishings.com | LaCie Data Share Reader - Turns SD & MicroSD cards into USB flash drives

Got it awhile back and works perfectly for everything, but obviously this application is a bit unusual (prolly a one- or two-time use, but curious).

Thanks again in advance for the help BTW

 

[generic username]

-- but I 'spose the Nexus is more future-proof than any of these other current or other forthcoming handsets.

Thanks

Bingo!

 

[krouget]

The problem with the lack of USB Mass Storage is that nearly every car made since 2010 has a USB port on it with a built-in MP3 player. Not being able to connect up your brand new phone to your car that you paid 20-30k for is sort of a ridiculous thing.

Those same cars are also likely to support Bluetooth. Mine does and I stream audio just fine.