iPad Pro USB-C iPad Pro compatible flash drives?

[Donka]

While the hope is that we see native external drive support with iOS13, has anyone seen any planned releases for USB-C iPad Pro compatible flash drives?
There are loads of lightning compatible flash drives out there but I haven't seen one for the new pros.

 

[sparksd]

It doesn't appear that any are available as yet - vendors will have to write and provide associated apps to work with their drives. It will be interesting to see if Apple does anything for external storage support in iOS 13; I have strong doubts. And if they did, would it also work with Lightning ports? No reason that it couldn't but I could see Apple not providing it in order to push new Pro sales.

 

[RevTEG]

I also have strong doubts that Apple will allow external drives with iOS 13. Just from a business standpoint alone, why would they? They are making millions upon millions as things are right now. Why would they want us to be able to buy the smallest HD on our devices? That would cut into their revenue from devices and iCloud storage. Do I want them to? Sure. Will they? Why would they while people are still so willing to pay?

I used to work with a man that owned 300 rental lots. There was a 6 month wait list to get a space. When the current renters tried to demand some upgrades the owner refused. He responded, why would I spend money when the place is full with a waiting list. And he’s right. So why would Apple?

 

[sparksd]

I also have strong doubts that Apple will allow external drives with iOS 13. Just from a business standpoint alone, why would they? They are making millions upon millions as things are right now. Why would they want us to be able to buy the smallest HD on our devices? That would cut into their revenue from devices and iCloud storage. Do I want them to? Sure. Will they? Why would they while people are still so willing to pay?

I used to work with a man that owned 300 rental lots. There was a 6 month wait list to get a space. When the current renters tried to demand some upgrades the owner refused. He responded, why would I spend money when the place is full with a waiting list. And he’s right. So why would Apple?

Apple pushes cloud storage - they have a large investment & business there - but I travel a lot to places with poor or no Internet access so it's not something I count on. In lieu of attached storage, I use a wireless FileHub with attached HDD; it works well but is slow compared to what attached storage can be. I also have a myriad of Lightning-based uSD card reader/writers but their use always requires hoops of 3rd party apps to deal with (some of which are poor quality).

 

[Donka]

A lot of people will still value the convenience of on board storage instead of relying on external storage. Access to external storage will improve my workflow which in my case would be a reason to spend the money on a higher capacity iPad.

 

[RevTEG]

Apple pushes cloud storage - they have a large investment & business there - but I travel a lot to places with poor or no Internet access so it's not something I count on. In lieu of attached storage, I use a wireless FileHub with attached HDD; it works well but is slow compared to what attached storage can be. I also have a myriad of Lightning-based uSD card reader/writers but their use always requires hoops of 3rd party apps to deal with (some of which are poor quality).

My work takes me to some really remote areas also. Fortunately, so far, I’m been able to stay connected via adding a local SIM card and data plan, which has surprisingly worked even in a remote jungle. However, I try not to rely on cloud storage either. So for I’ve been able to keep what I need on my iPad using the icloud and Dropbox for backups only.

As for as your lighting flash drives. Does anyone make a lighting female to USB-C male adapter yet? I know that would be an added dongle to keep up with but it could work on the short term. I haven’t searched to see if that’s even made yet since I haven’t needed one.

I think Apple still wants us to “need” their MacBooks too.

 

[Carlos51]

My work takes me to some really remote areas also. Fortunately, so far, I’m been able to stay connected via adding a local SIM card and data plan, which has surprisingly worked even in a remote jungle. However, I try not to rely on cloud storage either. So for I’ve been able to keep what I need on my iPad using the icloud and Dropbox for backups only.

As for as your lighting flash drives. Does anyone make a lighting female to USB-C male adapter yet? I know that would be an added dongle to keep up with but it could work on the short term. I haven’t searched to see if that’s even made yet since I haven’t needed one.

I think Apple still wants us to “need” their MacBooks too.

Hi,
Those adapters do exist but they don't seem to work.
Check this thread:
https://firecore.com/forum/topic/22310
Regards,
Carlos

 

[sparksd]

Hi,
Those adapters do exist but they don't seem to work.
Check this thread:
https://firecore.com/forum/topic/22310
Regards,
Carlos

I had seen that one from Amazon and from the description there it appeared to be pass-through for just power, not data - that thread would seem to confirm that.

 

[Donka]

I did try one of the lightning drives with the USB-A end via a USB-C hub on my Pro but the app could not see it. Looks like it would need to be specifically a MFI USB-C drive.

 

[Carlos51]

I did try one of the lightning drives with the USB-A end via a USB-C hub on my Pro but the app could not see it. Looks like it would need to be specifically a MFI USB-C drive.

AFAIK only the lightning end of the flash drive is MFI certified, not the USB-A side.
In any case, no workaround works.
Carlos

 

[JD2015]

I also have strong doubts that Apple will allow external drives with iOS 13. Just from a business standpoint alone, why would they? They are making millions upon millions as things are right now. Why would they want us to be able to buy the smallest HD on our devices? That would cut into their revenue from devices and iCloud storage. Do I want them to? Sure. Will they? Why would they while people are still so willing to pay?

I used to work with a man that owned 300 rental lots. There was a 6 month wait list to get a space. When the current renters tried to demand some upgrades the owner refused. He responded, why would I spend money when the place is full with a waiting list. And he’s right. So why would Apple?

MacBooks have same internal shortage limitations but they are allowed full access to external Hard drives. This will Fully come to IOS. You already can do this with a NAS and other wifi solutions in IOS.

 

[steve62388]

Has there been any progress on this yet?

I used to use an iXpand drive to load up movies when I went away and I’m looking for a replacement.

 

[Donka]

I haven’t seen anything. I wonder if the lack of developments are due to people waiting to see if usb support comes with ios13.