Is it possible to read a usb thumb drive using a pic? A 16F or 18F pic. I know the pic can only act as a slave but is there a way around that? A host usb ic maybe? preferably not too expensive.

 

I was once involved in such a project. But it was canceled before it started properly. As I remember one solution was to use MAX3421E USB Peripheral/Host Controller with SPI Interface. But I think it would be simpler to switch to the Microchip 24F series. Since that MCU series offers a USB host solution

 

If you just want memory, I read somewhere that SD cards are easy to connect to microcontrollers.

 

If you just want memory, I read somewhere that SD cards are easy to connect to microcontrollers.

This is true. It is not difficult at all.