what marctronixx said.

requests to add usb-host capability are all over the android dev forums, and software-wise it's actually not very difficult to implement.

the problem is convincing the manufacturers that adding the hardware is a good idea. many simply come back with 'bluetooth can already do that', but if you've ever tried bluetooth file transfer you'll agree that bluetooth can almost never 'do that' acceptably.

usb host would open up a massive array of available peripherals, from keyboards to external sound cards, usb storage and even all those crazy usb gadgets (if only my hero could chill my beer!)

photography is another huge area for this kind of interoperability - it would be unendingly useful to snap some photos with your good DSLR, plug it via USB to your Hero, and send those pictures anywhere on the internet. rare is a camera that will support bluetooth file transfer - and you definitely don't want to do that with a 10mb+ image.

definitely on my wishlist for the next android phone.

 

It is very easy to USB attach to any computer and transfer that way which includes to an external storage device. No need trying to make the phone a USB host device (I'm sure it can be done like has been done on the Noki N8* devices). I drag and drop files back and forth from a pc all the time and be done with it.

 

We need an app for that.

Pete