# Smartphone External Hard Drives iPhone Backup Drives Make Reformatting Mobile Devices a Lot Easier By Elise Ying-Hei Ho | Published 2012-12-11 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-backup-drives References: [damngeeky](http://www.damngeeky.com/2012/12/08/7487/softbank-memory-reader-writer-to-backup-iphoneipad-data-wirelessly.html) Reformatting a cell phone is just as much of a nuisance as a computer, which makes one wonder why the idea for iPhone backup drives didn't pop up sooner. [Softbank](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chord-signalling), a leading telecommunications company in Japan, has developed a lightweight palm-sized iPhone backup drive that easily stores data from cell phones, making it significantly easier to re-install all those apps and files. The Wireless Memory Reader & Writer weighs as little as 53 grams and is compatible with most [Apple](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lexar-es5) devices such as the newer [iPhone 4](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-4-concept), 4S, 5 and the new iPads, though Softbank does have plans to expand the reach and make this device compatible with Androids and other smartphones as well. The Wireless Memory Reader & Writer can also be used as an external hard drive for laptops as well. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Wireless Memory Reader & Writer:** The development of a lightweight palm-sized iPhone backup drive that can store data from cell phones presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the mobile storage industry. - **Expansion to Android and Other Smartphones:** The plan to make the Wireless Memory Reader & Writer compatible with Androids and other smartphones opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in the smartphone backup drive market. - **Multi-functionality as External Hard Drive:** The Wireless Memory Reader & Writer's ability to also function as an external hard drive for laptops creates an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the portable storage industry. ### Where This Applies - **Telecommunications:** The development of iPhone backup drives by Softbank introduces disruptive innovation opportunities in the telecommunications industry. - **Mobile Storage:** The creation of palm-sized backup drives for cell phones presents disruptive innovation opportunities within the mobile storage industry. - **Portable Storage:** The multi-functionality of the Wireless Memory Reader & Writer as an external hard drive for laptops opens up disruptive innovation possibilities in the portable storage industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Encrypted Smartphone Hard Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lexar-sl500-portable-ssd.md) - [Mobile Device Photography Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thephotostick-omni.md) - [Durable Magnetic Smartphone Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lexar-es5.md) - [Micro-Sized Mobile Device SSDs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/planck-ssd.md) - [Multifunctional External Storage Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onemodern-m6.md) - [Lightning-Fast Smartphone SSDs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magsafe-ssd.md) - [Automated File Backup Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/synology-beedrive.md) - [Two-in-One SSD Powerbanks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/move-speed-powerdisk.md) - [Data Backup Device Chargers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photofast-photopower.md)