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[Review] Sandisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB Type C: Your Stylish Way to Transfer Data between devices

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SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C Flash Drive aims to not just be an external file support solution for the iPad Pro, but also for your older USB-A gear, with a splash of style.

All flash drives are not created equal. Flash media is used in everything from the extremely fast NVMe implementations, all the way down to the storage keys you can buy at the gas station.

In between, are the higher-performing storage keys, like the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive. It isn’t something you want to use as, say, a system drive, but it is a good solution to “sneakernet” files between a USB-A computer and a USB-C one, like a new MacBook Pro, or iPad Pro.

Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive key specifications

  • USB Type-C and USB Type-A connections
  • 32GB capacity. 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB also available.
  • Up to 150MB/s read speeds
  • 1.75 inches by 0.48 inches by 0.34 inches
  • Reversible swivel design
  • Five-year limited warranty

Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C Flash Drive – design

On the face of it, the drive is a compact device that doesn’t look that much different from other thumb drives. It’s small and light, and has a covering section that swings around to protect some of its contacts. Pick protection for USB-A or USB-C, because you can only cover one at a time.

With an exterior enclosure completely from metal, the drive offers a premium appearance and construction, which is unusual for such drives. It also includes a hole in the swinging cover, so it can be attached to a keyring and be always available to users.

Being metal, the exterior of the drive case gets a little warmer to the touch when in use than a plastic enclosure does. But, this is a good thing, as the entire enclosure is a heat sink, keeping performance as high as possible.

Double duty connectivity

The metal body is only one of the differentiating factors for the drive that brings it another level up from the rest of the pack, and that it has two connectors. This drive falls into the category that a few other do, in that it can be used to connect to both USB Type-C devices as well as USB Type-A ports.

For some users, this can be invaluable, and offers the opportunity to make their data highly portable between devices. It could easily be used with an iPad Pro’s USB Type-C port or the Thunderbolt 3 port of modern Macs, while USB Type-A allows it to work with older Macs and PCs that don’t have either USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3 connections.

As the connectors are on opposite ends of the main body, the swinging cover can protect one connection type at a time, leaving the other exposed. Given the smallness of the connector, it’s probably advisable to keep the USB Type-C end protected as much as possible.

The drive boasts USB 3.1 Gen 1 support, which WD claims will facilitate read speeds of up to 150MB/s. The Blackmagicdesign Disk Speed Test tool showed this to be an accurate claim, as the drive managed 150.3MB/s read speeds for the USB Type-A connector, with it effectively the same at 150.6MB/s using Type-C.

While these are more than good enough for a portable flash drive, the write speeds are less stellar. On USB Type-A, the write speed was just 61.6MB/s, while Type-C didn’t do much better at 63.7MB/s. This is to be expected, though, given the media.

The drive isn’t ideal for those who need to write files to it on a very frequent basis. It’ll get the job done — you just need to be more patient than you’d have to be with a more expensive NVMe drive.

Stylish with some uses

Flash drive manufacturers aren’t generally known for innovation. Outside of making them faster or adding dual connectors to it, there’s little else you can do to radically change the concept.

The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe Type-C doesn’t rock the boat, nor was it ever really intended to. It treads very well-worn concepts that other products in the past have come up with.

Its Luxe element with a premium metal construction goes beyond just design, bringing an effective heat sink to the table. The fact that it doesn’t look too out of place on a keychain also works in its favor, as will its hardiness.

The dual connector system is nice for those who need to work with both types of ports on a variety of hardware, or simply want to transfer files from an iPad Pro or MacBook Pro made in the last five years to an older Mac. Its speed won’t blow your hair back, but is better than many drives in its class, and good enough for occasional use.

This drive isn’t really meant as an external storage upgrade for your Mac or iPad Pro. But, as a way to ferry files between devices or to make some space available on a constrained iPad Pro while on the move, it’s not a bad choice.

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Telecom

4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

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Four people have been killed, with over 20 injured after a fire at Cairo data centre disrupted telecom services nationwide.

4 Dead, 20 Others Injured as Fire Engulfs Cairo Data Centre

A fire at a major Telecom Egypt facility in Cairo on Monday has left four workers dead and at least 22 others injured, plunging parts of the capital into a communications crisis.

According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for Egypt’s Health Ministry, most injuries were due to smoke inhalation.

The blaze, which broke out at a key data centre operated by Telecom Egypt, the country’s primary fixed-line and internet provider, was brought under control later that day.

However, it caused widespread disruptions, halting phone services, affecting internet connectivity, and even interfering with digital banking operations.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to just 62% of normal levels following the incident.

Residents across Cairo struggled with poor network access, and banks—although already closed for the day—reported interruptions in ATM services and online transactions.

In a statement on Tuesday, Telecom Egypt mourned the loss of its employees and pledged support to their families.

Amr Talaat, Egypt’s minister of Communications and Information Technology,  assured the public that service restoration was underway and expected to be completed within 24 hours.

To address the disruption, the Health Ministry released alternative emergency contact numbers across Egypt’s governorates, in case its primary ambulance hotline remained unreachable.

The state-run MENA news agency reported that the fire was prevented from engulfing the entire building and nearby rooftops, thanks to the efforts of emergency responders.

A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, according to a security source cited by MENA.

As the nation works to restore full connectivity, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced fire safety protocols in sensitive tech facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Globalcom Thrills Subscribers with 3 New Digital Products

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Tech faints, Globalcom, on Tuesday unveiled three exciting digital products aimed at rewarding customers. The products, Animation World Promo, Treasure Spin and Sport Brain, also provide subscribers with the opportunity to play and win instant prizes.

Globalcom in a statement in Lagos said that the company is dedicated to providing value-added service to its ever-growing customers.

The first digital product, which is Animation World Promo, is an innovative trivia-based service aimed at challenging customers culinary knowledge of Nigerian food. With it, subscribers engage in answering food related questions, earn points and win delicious prizes.

For Treasure Spin, customers are availed the digital treasure spin experience. With each spin Glo subscribers stand a chance to win instant prizes, making every participation exciting and rewarding.

In addition, Globalcom captures the heart of football lovers with Sport Brain. Subscribers are allowed to predict football scores in matches across top leagues all around the world. Customers get to select their preferred leagues. “It’s a fun and competitive way for football lovers to test their instincts and knowledge,” the company noted.

Customers who subscribe to any of the three services stand a chance to win fantastic daily, weekly, and monthly prizes. Every day, 20 participants will receive ₦1,000 cash, ₦1,000 airtime, and 3.5GB data. On a weekly basis, five lucky winners will walk away with ₦100,000 each, while one grand prize winner will receive ₦1 million every month.

To participate, customers are required to dial *13055*2# for Animation World Promo,*13199*3# for Treasure Spin and  *13199*2# for Sport Brain. Each plan can be activated either as a one-time purchase or Auto Renewal.

Globacom further explained that all products are available at an affordable subscription rate of ₦100 for a daily plan, ₦300 for weekly plan and ₦500 for monthly plan.

In concluding, the company disclosed that the services are available to all Glo prepaid and postpaid subscribers nationwide.

 


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SiBAN Applauds Interstellar’s Groundbreaking Role in Africa’s Blockchain Future

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The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) has lauded Interstellar, one of its prominent members, for spearheading a major breakthrough in Africa’s financial technology space.

This follows Interstellar’s strategic partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to roll out the PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), a blockchain-based platform designed to address the continent’s long-standing currency inconvertibility challenge.

The initiative is already being hailed as a game-changer capable of eliminating the $5 billion annual trade friction currently plaguing intra-African commerce.

According to SiBAN President, Mr Obinna Iwuno, the development affirms Nigeria’s leadership in blockchain innovation, stating that Interstellar’s PACM is not only a technological feat but also a timely response to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) mandate of seamless and cost-effective regional trade.

PACM operates on STARGATE, a blockchain-agnostic system developed by Interstellar, and leverages the Bantu blockchain network to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer exchanges of African currencies.

The solution ensures financial inclusion by allowing businesses, SMEs, and informal traders to transact in local currencies without relying on foreign intermediaries, all while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Mr Ernest Mbenkum, CEO of Interstellar, described the solution as Africa’s roadmap to financial sovereignty. “Blockchain is not just innovation; it is empowerment,” he said.

SiBAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and partnerships that promote secure, transparent, and inclusive digital economies.

The association further called on stakeholders in government and the private sector to prioritise blockchain adoption as a driver of national development.


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