Good questions guys, and to best answer some of them I likely will need to explain some details of how it works in real life.
Lee >>> Mike, can you connect a BT device to it without it plugged in, as long as it's in range?
The Connect does not emit a BT signal, it emits a 2.4G signal like your router. So, to use it, you connect a mobile device to it's Wi-Fi signal. Then you use the Connect app that is made for popular phones and tablets, to control its play of music, photos and videos on that device. And, if you want to play to the Echo devices, you use the BT of say, the phone to send to a BT receiving device.
Important to know that when you are connected directly to the Connect, and not your network, you have lost access to internet, etc. No worry, because the Connect can be joined to your home network and you can be concurrently connected to both. And, at home that is what happens each time I turn on the Connect once it had been set to connect to my network. It works just like my other wireless hard drive, so from using them, I know the device signals are all connecting at 2.4G, BUT, I can speed throughput up by keeping my phone connected to the 5G signal and not 2.4G. This has no effect on music, but it makes a big difference when playing videos; no stutter or jitter. Also, by having the Connect tethered to the home network, I am not tethered to the Connect. It's range is the whole house instead of "nearby" it. I place the Connect near the router area instead of keeping it in my pocket as I would if I was out and about with it, like if on a bus to the local Mariners game.
renegade >>> it looks like it would be perfect for those who have phones and tablets without card slots and need extra storage - especially while traveling.
How about basically NO storage. I keep no media files on my iPhone or tablets. I have different ways to stream media either locally and remotely, so that when I bought my iPhone, I got the stripped down model with only 16GB. It costs another $100 for the 32GB model, but a Connect only cost me $40 for the 64GB model. I am finding the Connect more useful around the home that I thought I would; especially having Echos around. I can have it playing music on my phone, and then connect BT to the Dot dialed into the Dot/stereo combo, and play one of my curated playlists quickly and easily. So, the Connect, (actually, any wireless drive) is useful for more than travel moments. Since I have had wireless drives for a few years now, I "got" the concept of the pocket size Connect, and a device that can complete my set of wireless drives. It is SO small, (compared to portable hard drives) and that is a big plus for me. Try to pack a 2TB wireless drive around in your pocket!!
One last thing: I was using the Connect and playing it on my phone at the PC, and while the Connect was playing I plugged it into a pocket USB charger. The battery was half-way charged, and when all was done I took the charger off and the Connect was fully charged. I can do this each time when using it at home, and it will stay charged, so when I take it away from home it will be ready to go. Nice.
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