Options For File Transfer

[Penway]

I have tried several methods of getting files on and off my Xoom, none of which are ideal. Hoping I'm missing something so would appreciate responses to any of the following in regard to the best/easiest method for file transferring on the Xoom (stock Wi-Fi)

microSD card: using the app "File Manager HD", I can access the microSD card and transfer files both to and from Xoom. However, taking tiny card in and out of Xoom is a bit of a hassle. This app doesn't seem to 'see' any external drive connected to the Xoom via the OTG cable.

OTG cable: using the app "Nexus Media Importer", I can access portable harddrives, flash drives, and SD cards (via a card reader connected to the OTG), however this seems to be a "one-way" thing only. I can copy/move files onto the Xoom but as far as I've been able to tell, I cannot move files OFF of Xoom onto the external media. Is this correct or am I missing something?

USB cable: don't have one yet (didn't come with my Xoom), but my understanding is that if I use one connecting my Xoom to my PC, it will show up on my PC as a drive and I can move files onto and off of Xoom with ease. Do I have this right? If so... if there is a microSD card in my Xoom at the time I connect to my PC via USB, will the microSD card show up on my PC as well or no?

Are there any other options or apps. I know there's the cloud/dropbox and other wi-fi options but I'm not interested in using those.

What I'd like to be able to do is to take the Xoom and a large external harddrive on vacation. Then dump my photos from a day's shoot (I'm a photography enthusiast) onto the Xoom to view them and maybe weed out (delete) the bad ones, then transfer the keepers off of Xoom onto the external harddrive to store them until I get home.

Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

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[chrisonline]

I think this has been discussed with you recently, but basically, I don't recommend taking your external SD card in and out. Risk of losing it, damaging it, or damaging the port. Over time, it will happen . . and it's very fiddly anyway.

In summary - use the "supplied" or in your case "on the way" USB cable. That is how the Xoom was "designed" and intended for file transfer. Yes, it is 2-way. And yes, it sees the external card. If you still don't have it, did you order it from a Chinese supplier? Some of them not only take a long while to deliver, but can be of questionable quality (across various products). I recommend someone reliable like Monoprice.com - only a few dollars, cheap S&H if any, and delivery within a couple of days.

The OTG cable is effectively a workaround for a function that is not built in to the (unrooted) Xoom by default. Yes, the Nexus Media Importer is one-way, read only. It's a great addition to the Xoom armory, but you have to accept it for what it is.

I believe I've seen posts from others using the OTG cable for external hard drives - suggest you search - but not sure whether they have been full 2-way functionality. Maybe someone else "in the know" can comment.

Finally I didn't comment again on cloud services like Dropbox, Box, Google Drive etc, because you said not to! But I would repeat that they are a very clear way to go, the one limitation being the need for online connectivity at the time of file transfer. But if you're by your PC connecting with cable, it's difficult to believe that you don't have that connectivity unless you have no network!

[Penway]

I think this has been discussed with you recently

Yes that's true... partially. As I try suggestions from folks on this forum and learn more as I go, I come up with more questions and/or thoughts. Instead of drudging up multiple old posts to add to, I decided to just start this one new one, include information I've learned, and add the new questions/concerns I've come up with since then.

I hope I'm not overstaying my welcome by doing it this way. If so, I will certainly stop and seek answers elsewhere.

but basically, I don't recommend taking your external SD card in and out. Risk of losing it, damaging it, or damaging the port. Over time, it will happen . . and it's very fiddly anyway.

Yes, in trying this several times, I quickly came to the same conclusion. The one big advantage though is the two-way transfer potential.

In summary - use the "supplied" or in your case "on the way" USB cable. That is how the Xoom was "designed" and intended for file transfer. Yes, it is 2-way. And yes, it sees the external card. If you still don't have it, did you order it from a Chinese supplier? Some of them not only take a long while to deliver, but can be of questionable quality (across various products). I recommend someone reliable like Monoprice.com - only a few dollars, cheap S&H if any, and delivery within a couple of days.

Actually, I haven't ordered one yet. I was hoping the OTG cable would be my solution because I thought I might have two-way file transfer capability with it.

The OTG cable is effectively a workaround for a function that is not built in to the (unrooted) Xoom by default. Yes, the Nexus Media Importer is one-way, read only. It's a great addition to the Xoom armory, but you have to accept it for what it is.

I believe I've seen posts from others using the OTG cable for external hard drives - suggest you search - but not sure whether they have been full 2-way functionality. Maybe someone else "in the know" can comment.

Since you just confirmed that Nexus Media Importer is one-way, that would lead me to believe that there is no way to go two-way with the OTG + external harddrive.

Finally I didn't comment again on cloud services like Dropbox, Box, Google Drive etc, because you said not to! But I would repeat that they are a very clear way to go, the one limitation being the need for online connectivity at the time of file transfer. But if you're by your PC connecting with cable, it's difficult to believe that you don't have that connectivity unless you have no network!

Well, I'm old, and old-fashioned. I don't trust my data floating out there in never-neverland. So I was trying to figure out an option when I Am Away From My PC (i.e. on vacation, likely no online access) of file transfer on and off my Xoom.

Thank you for your responses, Chris.

[ggrant3876]

Personally I prefer to transfer via USB but there are several wireless transfer apps. I also have WiFi File Explorer Pro but in my case transfer via USB is the easiest for me.

[chrisonline]

Personally I prefer to transfer via USB but there are several wireless transfer apps. I also have WiFi File Explorer Pro but in my case transfer via USB is the easiest for me.

Yes indeed, I have wi-fi Explorer, also Tonido (sourced from the Xoom as opposed to from the PC), and of course apps that access the PC desktop direct, like GoToMyPC (mobile - free if you have the regular GTMPC program), Splashtop, etc. All require wireless connection of course.

Penway - just bite the bullet and spend those few measly dollars on the USB cable! You'll wonder why you fretted over all this

[sr20hardbody]

Root your Xoom and use root explorer it will do what you're trying to do.

Accessing the sdcard through the Xoom using the PC over USB cable isn't an option as the ICS and jelly bean operating systems create multiple folders of everything on your sdcard you'll see what I'm talking about after you've done it a few times it will eventually happen.

[Penway]

Penway - just bite the bullet and spend those few measly dollars on the USB cable! You'll wonder why you fretted over all this

Obviously I asked too many questions in my initial post in this thread because my aim, which I stated near the end of that initial post, indicated that I am looking for options when I will be on vacation - AWAY from my computer. A USB cable will be useless in this instance.

[chrisonline]

Root your Xoom and use root explorer it will do what you're trying to do.

Accessing the sdcard through the Xoom using the PC over USB cable isn't an option as the ICS and jelly bean operating systems create multiple folders of everything on your sdcard you'll see what I'm talking about after you've done it a few times it will eventually happen.

Rooting is not for everyone, and those confident enough to do it should not assume that everyone else should.

Only a very small number have experienced the duplication you describe, and I believe there were reasons identified. I never had the problem.

[chrisonline]

Obviously I asked too many questions in my initial post in this thread because my aim, which I stated near the end of that initial post, indicated that I am looking for options when I will be on vacation - AWAY from my computer. A USB cable will be useless in this instance.

Yet at the same time you don't want to do anything wirelessly? That doesn't make sense. OK, I give up!

[Penway]

Yet at the same time you don't want to do anything wirelessly? That doesn't make sense. OK, I give up!

I give up too.

I was just asking for options. So I don't want to go wireless... so what, that's my choice... why are you getting so bent out of shape? If there are no non-wireless options to do what I want to do, just say so... don't berate me because I don't want to go wireless.

Obviously this isn't the forum for me. I'll take my leave now.