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You can unlock this secure SSD with the touch of your smartphone

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Lexar TouchLock Portable SSD ZDNET's key takeaways A super-thin and super-light portable SSD

Innovative NFC unlocking eliminates passcodes and biometrics

Not the fastest SSD, but fast enough to handle 4K ProRes 60 fps video View now at Amazon

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I think the days of carrying data around in an unencrypted state have pretty much come to an end. It's just too risky, especially if that data is in any way important or subject to regulatory oversight.

But encrypting and decrypting drives can also be a pain, and must be as quick and simple as possible. I don't think that process can get any easier than tapping an SSD with your smartphone -- and this is exactly how the Lexar TouchLock Portable SSD works.

Also: I tested a solid-state portable battery for a week - now lithium-ion feels outdated

Out of the box, the TouchLock Portable SSD feels small and light. Made of lightweight aluminum, measuring a petite 3.37 x 2.09 x 0.28 inches, and weighing in at only 1.4 ounces, this drive feels space-age. There's an NFC touchpad on the back, a MagSafe magnet ring on the front for attaching to a smartphone, and a single USB-C port on the bottom.

That MagSafe ring gives you a big clue as to the typical use case for this storage drive -- a drive that attaches to your iPhone.

The outer shell has been designed to survive a 6.5-foot drop, which is great for the rough-and-tumble of day-to-day life.

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