One of the coolest photography gadgets got a heavy dose of New and Improved over the weekend. I was supposed to be working on my taxes but the new Direct Mode firmware and fresh-out-of-the-oven Android app made it easy to get distracted. When configured for Direct Mode transfers, any Eye-Fi X2 card will now send photo files directly to your Android device, iPhone or iPad. Your smart phone or tablet can then transfer the images to your desktop and/or photo sharing website–all automatically.
Before
Capture photos using camera and Eye-Fi card. Images would remain on card until you got back within range of a wireless network. Cool, yes, but what about when you’re away from home and want immediate access to your photos?
Now
Capture photos using camera and Eye-Fi card, and images are immediately relayed to your smart phone. Once they’re on the phone you can share, upload or email to your social media heart’s content. No more waiting.
Works on all X2 Cards
Direct Mode was rolled out with the new Eye-Fi Mobile X2 card but a firmware update adds the feature to existing cards like the Connect X2 or Pro X2.
Recipe
Update the X2 firmware (if you already have an X2 card).
Download the free app from the Android Market or the Apple App Store.
Install, configure and add seasoning to taste.
A Couple Hiccups
I ran into a few snags when updating the firmware on an existing Pro X2 (had to delete and recreate my card profile), but my New and Improved card is now paired with an HTC Thunderbolt–the snazzy new 4G Android phone sold by Verizon. Performance is snappy and I haven’t had any problems with automatic transfers from the card to my Thunderbolt. There have, however, been a few hiccups with phone-to-desktop communications–a few transfers didn’t happen right away. I noticed timeout settings in the Eye-Fi Center software and suspect I need to fine-tune the values.
Eye-Fi makes a great product–no more more fiddling with wires or taking a card out of the camera, loading it into a reader device and copying photos. You just snap photos and let the card wirelessly transfer images to your computer and photo sharing service like Flickr, SmugMug or Facebook. I suggested Mom buy one for her Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS Digital ELPH and we’re both happier. She no longer has to deal with brain damage induced by card readers, wires and computer folders. And I don’t have to conduct remote support sessions to assist in brain surgery.
Direct Mode makes a great product even better, especially for those of us who want their photos off the camera right now, damn it, not when we get back home.
