Apple devices have long suffered a lack of expandable storage, forcing users to transfer files via the sometimes-spotty cloud. Enter the SanDisk iXpand—the first USB flash drive designed specifically for iPhone and iPad.
The collapsible gadget makes it easy to move photos and videos from an iOS-based device to a Mac or PC, without tangled cables, Internet connections, or bandwidth limitations.
Just download the companion iXpand mobile app, then plug the flash drive into your smartphone or tablet to automatically sync files. The service also promises cross-platform encryption, meaning consumers can transfer and access sensitive files without worry.
Using the sync app, content can be password-protected on an iPhone or iPad, then easily decrypted on a Mac or PC—or vice versa.
Citing IDC statistics, SanDisk vice president of product marketing, Dinesh Bahal, revealed that nearly three-quarters of all images are captured on smartphones and tablets. What's more, 82 percent of smartphone users say that transferring photos, videos, music, and other files is "very important to them," Bahal said.
"With this significant increase in mobile-generated content, consumers are looking for easy ways to manage it all," he continued. "We created the iXpand Flash Drive to offer consumers a quick and safe way to move their favorite content between devices so it's available when and where they want it."
The iXpand drive can also store movies for playback when plugged into an iPhone or iPad. Most popular formats, including non-native and PC-friendly ones (AVI, WMV) are supported.
Available in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities, the iXpand flash drive is compatible with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, 5s, 5c, and 5, iPad Air 2, Air, mini 3, mini 2, and mini—running iOS 8 or iOS 7.
Customers can visit the SanDisk website to pick up a 16GB or 64GB model for $59.99 or $119.99, respectively. The $79.99 32GB version will be available exclusively from Best Buy starting Nov. 16.
The iXpand sync app is also available to download for free in the iTunes App Store.
For more, see PCMag's roundup of The 10 Best External Hard Drives.