Kingston Digital, the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, has announced the Wi-Drive (http://www.kingston.com/flash/wi_drive.asp), built to address the increasing storage needs of Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users.

The Wi-Drive is a a wireless, portable storage solution that allows users to expand the number of documents, images, music and video files they can access from Apple devices. The combination of this storage expansion, file sharing and a rugged portable form factor makes it a perfect companion device, says Andrew Ewing, Flash memory business manager, Kingston.

The Wi-Drive, along with its app from the App Store, allows users to stream videos, access music or share files with other Apple device owners. The pocket-sized drive utilizes Flash-based technology to store data from USB-compatible computers.

These files are then easily retrieved via Wi-Drive’s built-in wireless signal without requiring cables or an Internet connection. Three users can work simultaneously with different file types from a single Wi-Drive without any performance disruption.

To begin using Wi-Drive with any of the compatible Apple products, users simply drag and drop files from their computer to a Wi-Drive via USB cable, similar to a typical USB Flash drive data transfer. Users then download the Wi-Drive application from the App Store before connecting the Wi-Drive to their device.

Kingston offers Wi-Drive in both 16GB and 32GB sizes and the product will be available for purchase in late June for US$129.99 and $174.99, respectively. The drive is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 and higher.