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Nexus 7 News => Nexus 7 News - - Front Page Comments and Discussion => Topic started by: Babyfacemagee on August 22, 2012, 01:28:57 PM

Title: 'Nexus Media Importer' Let's You Stream And Import To Your Nexus 7 Without Root!
Post by: Babyfacemagee on August 22, 2012, 01:28:57 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/ccowM.png</iframe>)

When Google contracted with Asus to build the Nexus 7 Tablet they made a strategic decision to limit the OTG or On-The-Go capabilities of the microUSB slot so that it would not allow the booting of a USB drive or SD card for storage.   Now there's been lots of debate as to the reasoning, rationale and intent of these omissions but suffice to say it was a combo of cost savings and attempts to encourage users to use the Google Play store and cloud storage to purchase content.   

While that makes sense strategically for the company there was also an unintended result in that it made it really difficult for a Nexus 7 owner to view or load content on their device that they already owned as well as only provided limited storage on the Nexus 7 for when the user is traveling and can't access extra content from the cloud because they don't have Wi-Fi access.

(http://i.imgur.com/0h6uk.png)

Well I'm happy to announce that over the last couple of days an enterprising developer that goes by the name 'HomeySoft' has introduced an app that largely solves the storage problem for Nexus 7 users on the go.  With the 'Nexus Media Importer' you can stream music, movies and photos and import other files from a USB drive or SD card reader and the only piece of additional hardware you need is an OTG Cable.   Most importantly there's no rooting required!  Here's a video to show how you set it up. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnBApLGiljA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnBApLGiljA)

Now just to be clear this enables you to take a USB drive or SD Card reader and card with you and stream your media to your Nexus 7 and even copy it over.   What it WON'T allow you to do however is move data the other way.  In other words you can't EXPORT or save anything to the USB drive or SD card you have connected.  But still...this is a real boon to us Nexus 7 owners that feel the storage crunch when we don't have access to Wi-Fi.   You can load all your extra movies, music and files to a USB drive and just slip it into your bag with your Nexus 7 wherever you go.   You can even connect directly to many digital cameras and view and import your photos directly to your Nexus 7.   

The 'Nexus Media Importer' is still a work in progress in some respects in that there's some extra features that a lot of users are asking for such as full screen photo viewing (right now it's in a dedicated preview window), but the developer has done some really great work here and frankly this is a 'must have' app for any Nexus 7 owner.  It immediately solves one of the biggest limitations of the tablet.   You can grab the 'Nexus Media Importer' in the Google Play store at the link below for just $1.99.   If you'd rather test out your Nexus 7 to get an idea of how it works first you can try out the sister app....the 'Nexus Photo Viewer' which will let you view photos but doesn't have the same import and streaming ability of the full app.  So guys...what do you think?  Is this a 'must have' app for your Nexus 7?


Nexus Media Importer In The Google Play Store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer&feature=more_from_developer#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEwMiwiY29tLmhvbWV5c29mdC5uZXh1c3VzYi5pbXBvcnRlciJd)

(http://i.imgur.com/GJlbZ.png)

You can pick up a microUSB to USB OTG Converter Cable for your Nexus 7 from Amazon with a lifetime warranty Here. (http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Micro-USB-Host-Cable/dp/B005GGBYJ4/ref=pd_cp_e_1)  There are cheaper (usually flimsier) alternatives on Amazon but this one worked well for me and I like the warranty.


Thanks to forum member bob7794 for bringing this app to our attention!
Title: Re: 'Nexus Media Importer' Let's You Stream And Import To Your Nexus 7 Without Root!
Post by: nhobbit on August 22, 2012, 02:50:18 PM
All I can say is woo hoo. Without this forum there is so much I would not know.
Title: Re: 'Nexus Media Importer' Let's You Stream And Import To Your Nexus 7 Without Root!
Post by: radiocycle on August 22, 2012, 03:27:39 PM
After downloading and playing with this app for a while, I uninstalled StickMount.  I think this thing works better and is simpler. 

radio
Title: Re: 'Nexus Media Importer' Let's You Stream And Import To Your Nexus 7 Without Root!
Post by: JayJ on August 22, 2012, 07:14:35 PM
I glad here's something available for the non root users but personally I'll be sticking with StickMount (get it, haha) because I like having the ability to transfer files between the two. I can dump files from my N7 that I want to keep but don't need immediate access to onto a USB driver, like pics downloaded and any video download and still have them to hand without clogging up my N7.

Just my 2pence worth...
Title: Re: 'Nexus Media Importer' Let's You Stream And Import To Your Nexus 7 Without Root!
Post by: Drew on August 23, 2012, 01:27:45 AM
Best two bucks I've ever spent!  I would pay $20+ for this app.  It doesn't support ebook, epub or mobi right now, but I'm sure it will be updated.  So happy I can plug in movie/music thumb drives without them taking up internal space and without rooting!

The developer deserves to retire with this app (and I hope he/she does)!
Title: Re: 'Nexus Media Importer' Let's You Stream And Import To Your Nexus 7 Without Root!
Post by: Nemoman on August 23, 2012, 05:40:29 AM
Wow,  it plays my movies and music simply and easily.  It's a real game changer for anybody who had concerns about the lack of an SD card.

I'd like to see it improved to recognise folders - if I use it for music it just lists every one of my 5000 songs.