Computex 2024: JMicron and Vinpower Unveil Portable SSD M.2 USB-C Enclosure Compatible with Apple iOS and Supporting iPhone iAP2

JMicron Technology Corp. in collaboration with Vinpower, Inc., have developed an enhanced 10Gb/s Portable SSD (PSSD), using the collaboratively developed iVP817 IC chip, that’s compatible with Apple iOS devices supporting the iPhone iAP2.

The PSSD offers fast R/W data transfer speeds and is a 1st of its kind to provide secure, high powered, high-speed backup and storage across all computing platforms, which includes the Apple iOS platform, as well as Android, PC, MacBook, Chromebook and more. While the R/W transfer speeds for USB flash storage devices compatible with smartphones and tablets typically range from 20MB/s to 80MB/s, the enhanced PSSD achieved R/W transfer speeds at more than 800MB/s with an iPhone 15Pro and 15Pro Max. That means, when using the enhanced PSSD with Vinpower’s iAP2 based App, one could backup a 10GB video, from an iPhone 15Pro or 15Pro Max, in around 12s. On top of that, the PSSD will accommodate a range of NVMe SSD with varying form factor lengths and capacities up to and exceeding 8TB of secure storage.

JMicron is a provider IC design company specialized in high-speed data and signal interfaces bridge controllers including NVMe to USB bridges, while Vinpower is a provider in designing IC chip firmware, circuit design, and manufacturing Apple iOS backup and storage devices and related Apps. The 2 companies recognized the untapped market potential for a new solution that can perform smooth, fast, and secure data transfer and backup for portable mobile devices, especially for the Apple iOS platform, such as iPhones and iPads.

“When Vinpower approached us about collaborating on a next generation SSD for portable mobile devices, in particular the underserved iPhone and iPad platforms, it was a natural fit,” proclaims Tim Liu, CEO and general president, JMicron

.“JMicron has long been a bridge between technologies in the storage market and when Vinpower approached us about collaborating on a next generation SSD for portable mobile devices, in particular the underserved iPhone and iPad platforms, it was a natural fit,” proclaims Tim Liu, CEO and general president, JMicron. “The PSSD with the integrated iVP817 will enhance the user experience and provide a necessary expedited backup solution for millions of iPhone and iPad users around the world.“

Even though the current iPhone 15Pro and 15Pro Max series offer a USB Type C connection that allows virtually any storage device with a USB-C connection to access the Files App and transfer in real time Apple Pro Res video content, there are tremendous limitations due to security factors for those storage devices to fully access critical content in its authentic form. Since standard USB connected devices use the MSC protocol whereas Apple iOS devices require their proprietary iAP2 protocol, which is only available for MFi certified devices, creating a barrier for traditional USB-C connected storage devices to access the important content stored on an iPhone or iPad. Whereas, Vinpower adds its experience and extensive MFi certified storage products and Apps, to be able to allow the PSSD to use the iAP2 protocol through an expanded range of connections and storage devices, providing a wider array of access to critical content, like personal photos and videos, contacts, and much more.

Research shows us that there are approx. 146 billion iPhone users (*) and 850 million iCloud users (**) around the world. Of those 850 million iCloud users, 70% pay for higher capacity iCloud storage (***), equaling roughly 585 million iPhone/iPad users pay for access to a higher capacity cloud storage for their iPhone/iPad content, which is around 40% of iPhone users. That means that nearly 60% of iPhone users, for one reason or another, may not have a true full backup solution. That equates to more than 800 million global iPhone users could benefit from a secure, high capacity, fast and easy method to backup, share, and transfer their critical content to or from an iPhone or iPad.

“We live in a fast-paced world and have become a culture obsessed with instantaneous gratification. If it takes more than a few seconds to access content, we become impatient and frustrated,” exclaims Calvin Chang, CEO, Vinpower, “That’s why Vinpower collaborated with JMicron in developing the PSSD with the iVP817, to address a growing need in the market for a backup and storage solution, especially Apple iOS users, that can provide incredibly fast data transfer speeds with high-capacity storage, beyond anything on the market today.“

The PSSD will be shown during the 2024 Computex, Tapei, Taiwan, on June 4-7, 2024 at 2 locations; by invitation from JMicron at their Courtyard by Marriott Taipei suite or Vinpower will display at booth location: TWTC Nangang, J0310 inside the Computex tradeshow.

(*) 20+ Key 2024 iPhone Statistics and Trends    
(**) Apple Icloud Statistics   
(***) Apple Icloud Statistics