First Look review: Eye-Fi Mobile X2's Direct Mode

Eye-Fi's newest wireless memory card for cameras, the X2 Mobile ($80) claims you can upload photos and video from your camera to the Web via smart devices, using its Direct Mode—no computer needed. We bought one to try it out. Here's our take:

Getting prepared. First, I checked Eye-Fi's website to make sure my camera was compatible. I then set up the card, which was pretty easy to do: Simply insert the card and card reader in your computer's USB port, make sure you have an Internet connection, launch the software, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Next, I selected social networks for my photos and videos. Setting up for use with Wi-Fi networks was easy, but I needed to search for the instructions on how to set up the card in Direct Mode; I did find them on the company's website. The software worked well, but the setup requires lots of steps.

Using the card. I first tested uploading via a Wi-Fi network. After inserting the card into the camera, I shot a photo and a video clip. Both were quickly uploaded to the Eye-Fi View cloud service on the Web, then added automatically to the social networks I chose. Since photos are smaller files, they took mere seconds to appear in my Flickr account. Videos took longer, but they were eventually uploaded to my YouTube account with no changes to file size or quality.

Next, I tested the card's Direct Mode with my Apple iPhone 3GS. To upload media through my phone (the card works with iPhones and Android smart phones, as well as iPads), I downloaded the Eye-Fi app and paired it with the Eye-Fi card, which I needed to plug back into my computer. This was more complicated then the previous setup, but it appeared to be straightforward.

But I was able to upload photos through my iPhone only a few times out of more than a dozen attempts. One problem was that my iPhone seemed to lose the Wi-Fi connection with the Eye-Fi card. When it did work, I could upload only photos, not video.

Bottom line. Although Eye-Fi's flagship service--allowing your camera or camcorder to work with a wireless network--works well, its new Direct Mode feature needs some work. And be prepared to spend some time reading and rereading manuals and combing through Eye-Fi's support and help pages.

—Terry Sullivan