About Maktar

The Company That Invented iOS External Storage #

Founded 2014 · 1.1M+ Devices Shipped · 50 People · Taipei · Tokyo · Thailand

Maktar is a digital asset protection technology company headquartered in Taiwan. We invented iOS external storage technology, built the Qubii automatic backup device that has shipped over 1.1 million units globally, and are now transforming into a digital asset protection service platform.

68% of our revenue comes from Japan. We hold MFi certification from Apple, maintain deep partnerships with SoftBank, I-O DATA, and Elecom, and operate with the complete vertical integration capabilities of a company that designs its own IC solutions, develops its own firmware and apps, manufactures its own hardware, and sells directly to consumers across four countries.

We are not a gadget company. We are the people who created an entire product category, and we are still the ones pushing it forward.

The Founder: Four Decades in the Apple Ecosystem #

Mactaris Chen — Founder & CEO #

Mactaris Chen’s relationship with Apple technology spans over forty years—from the Apple II era to Apple Silicon, as a developer, not merely a user.

The Beginning: Apple ][+ and 6502 Assembly #

In his first year of high school, Mactaris received an Apple ][+ clone from his cousin. On that machine, he taught himself 6502 assembly language and reached a level of mastery that put him among Taiwan’s earliest hackers capable of breaking floppy disk copy protection schemes. This was the era before Windows existed—before most people had ever touched a personal computer.

University: Physics, Mac Research, and a Decision #

At National Sun Yat-sen University, where Mactaris studied physics, his parents bought him an Apple IIGS. He taught himself C on it. The university was part of Apple’s University Consortium in Taiwan, and Mactaris founded the Mac Research Club on campus, bringing Macintosh development culture to the student community. He began programming in Think C on the Mac platform.

In his senior year, Mactaris made a deliberate choice: he withdrew from the university to pursue technology full-time. He never completed his physics degree. What he had instead was something no degree could provide—deep, hands-on fluency in Apple’s entire technology stack, from bare metal assembly to application development.

The Full Architecture Journey: 68K → PowerPC → Intel → Apple Silicon #

Very few developers in the world have lived through every major Apple architecture transition as an active developer. Mactaris is one of them.

During and after his university years, he took on work that demanded the deepest levels of technical skill:

OCR Core Optimization for ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) Mactaris worked on the core OCR (Optical Character Recognition) engine, optimizing it from C to 68K assembly, then to PowerPC assembly. This kind of hand-tuned, architecture-specific optimization—squeezing every cycle out of the processor for real-time character recognition—is a discipline that has largely vanished from the industry. In the 1990s, it was the mark of an elite systems programmer.

Mac Chinese Input Methods Before Unicode standardized multilingual computing, getting Chinese to work on the Mac required building input method systems from the ground up. Mactaris developed multiple commercial Mac input methods that shipped as products in Taiwan, including Boshiamy (嘸蝦米), ETen Wangxing (倚天忘形), Phrase Input (片語輸入, developed for Chiease/奇易中文), and Dayi (大易). The Boshiamy and ETen Wangxing input methods were among the most widely used Chinese input systems on the Mac in Taiwan. This work required intimate knowledge of the Mac OS text services architecture and the ability to bridge hardware, operating system, and linguistic requirements simultaneously.

macOS Driver and App Development (Ongoing through 2013) Operating under the name “Mactaris” (M1), he developed macOS drivers and applications for a roster of major Taiwanese technology brands: HTC, ZyXEL, BenQ, Lumens, ASUS, Asuscom, and Vast Technology, among others. For many of these companies, Mactaris was the person who made their hardware work on the Mac.

The Enterprise Detour: Banks, Telecoms, and Three Countries #

Despite his deep roots in the Apple ecosystem, Mactaris’s full-time career took him into enterprise software. He joined Collection Works, an American company, where he developed systems in VB3 with Pervasive Database and Microsoft SQL Server. The products served banks and telecommunications companies: ABN AMRO, Standard Chartered, Chinfon Bank, Aetna Bank, KG Telecom, Far EasTone Telecommunications, and clients as far-flung as a Jamaican bank, a Saudi bank, and Thailand’s 3 telecom.

Collection Works was acquired by Towne Services, a NASDAQ-listed company led by CEO Drew Edwards (who remains a contact today). That company was subsequently acquired by Admerex, which posted Mactaris to Singapore for five years.

This period gave Mactaris something that most hardware startup founders lack: deep experience in enterprise-grade software systems, international business operations, database architecture, and the discipline of building products that banks and telecoms bet their operations on.

Co-founding NextDrive #

Mactaris is also a co-founder of NextDrive (聯齊科技), a company focused on building integrated platform solutions for smart energy and IoT applications. NextDrive has been featured in major Taiwanese technology media including Business Next (數位時代).

Return to Taiwan: The Freelancer Years (2009–2013) #

In 2009, Mactaris returned to Taiwan from Singapore. The iPhone had launched. The App Store had opened. A new world was emerging for developers who understood Apple’s ecosystem at a deep level.

Mactaris worked as a freelance developer, taking on projects that leveraged his rare combination of skills—hardware interface programming, Apple platform expertise, and iOS app development. He built an e-book app for Far EasTone Telecommunications. He continued developing Mac drivers and apps for hardware companies.

And then, in the course of client work, he invented something that would create an entire product category.

The Invention: iOS External Storage #

The Problem No One Could Solve #

In 2011, there was no way to plug external storage into an iPhone. Apple’s iOS was a locked-down system. Developers could only communicate with hardware accessories through Apple’s External Accessory Framework (EAFramework)—a simple data pipe with no direct hardware access, no file system support, and severe bandwidth limitations.

Mactaris saw the problem differently from everyone else.

Generation 1 (2011): The OTG Approach #

Working with Chesen Electronics, Mactaris developed the first-ever iOS external storage solution. It used an OTG (USB On-The-Go) chip as an external USB controller, paired with an iOS app built on EAFramework. The OTG chip handled the file system (FAT32) and communicated with the app through Apple’s iAP 1 protocol.

It worked. But the communication between the app and the chip—through a virtual file read/write protocol—was inefficient. The product was functional but performance-limited.

Generation 2 (2012): Three Breakthroughs #

The second generation, developed with Genesys Logic, contained multiple innovations that would define the entire product category:

Breakthrough 1: The IC Chip Rethink. Instead of using a complex OTG chip, Mactaris switched to a simple USB card reader chip and moved the file system implementation into the app itself. He then built a custom protocol on top of iAP 1 to accelerate data transfer between the app and the chip.

Breakthrough 2: The App as Both UI and Driver. The app simultaneously served as the user interface and as the hardware driver—a software-hardware integration innovation that eliminated the need for the chip to handle complex file operations.

Breakthrough 3: The Embedded HTTP Server. Mactaris built a lightweight HTTP server inside the iOS app and redirected the data stream from the hardware through this server. The result was revolutionary: users could stream full-resolution 1080p video directly from external storage without copying the entire file to the iPhone first.

This technology was licensed to PhotoFast, which built a commercially successful product line around it. Mactaris developed all the breakthrough technology, held the copyright to the i-FlashDrive HD app (used across multiple PhotoFast products), and was paid a development fee. But he did not share in the enormous commercial success, and—a decision he would learn from—he did not file patents.

Generation 3 (2013): The Lightning Challenge #

When Apple introduced the iPhone 5 with the Lightning connector in 2012, it opened the door for more third-party external storage devices. But Apple imposed brutally strict requirements: 100 mA power consumption when active, 10 mA when idle.

Every major storage brand in the world was searching for an IC chip that could meet these requirements. Nearly all USB IC design capabilities were concentrated in Taiwan. And not a single IC design company had a solution.

Mactaris ran three development plans simultaneously:

Plan A (Self-developed): Built a complete solution on the ATMEL SAM3U microcontroller, implementing Apple’s new iAP 2 protocol with Native Transport for block-level data transfer, SCSI pass-through to the storage IC, Apple co-processor authentication, and a power switching mechanism between USB 1 (standby) and USB 2 (active) modes. This power switching technology was patented.

Plan B (Phison): Collaborated with Phison Electronics on their flash memory controller version while developing Plan A.

Plan C (Alcor — the winning approach): Contracted with Alcor Micro to customize their existing card reader chip, transferred all development work from Plan A to Alcor, helped them implement all Apple-related functionality, and combined the patented power switching technology with this chip.

Plan C won the market.

In April 2014, Mactaris founded Maktar Inc. and obtained MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad) certification—becoming an MFi-certified manufacturer.

Products: Seeing What Others Missed #

Piconizer (2015): Three Buttons Instead of a File Browser #

When Maktar launched its first product, every other iOS external storage device on the market was built around a file browser interface—dual-interface USB drives designed for cross-platform file transfer, targeting business users with complex folder management UIs.

Mactaris asked a different question: what do people actually need?

The answer was simple. People needed more space to take more photos. They didn’t need a file manager. They needed a photo backup device.

Piconizer (Picture + Organizer) had three buttons: Backup, View, Restore. That was it.

The market response was immediate and overwhelming:

• NT$60 million (approximately US$2 million) raised in a Taiwan crowdfunding campaign
• Over 100,000 units sold in Taiwan alone
• The crowdfunding campaign had to be terminated early because Maktar couldn’t procure enough Lightning connectors to fulfill demand
• Won the Computex Best Choice Award and Taiwan Excellence Award

The market validated the approach in the most definitive way possible: within a few years, most file-browser-based iOS storage products exited the market. Piconizer survived and evolved through four generations. The current Piconizer 4 and 4s continue to sell at premium prices in Taiwan and Japan.

Qubii (2018): “Wouldn’t It Be Better to Backup While Charging?” #

By 2017–2018, iPhone internal storage was growing larger, and flash memory prices had more than doubled. Maktar needed a next-generation product.

The insight was elegant: everyone agrees backup is important, but nobody develops the habit of doing it manually. Yet everyone charges their phone every day. Why not backup during charging?

The technical breakthrough came from Maktar’s deep MFi expertise. The team discovered that MFi’s “App Launch” feature—officially designed to prompt users to open a companion app when an accessory connects—could actually be used to directly launch the app without user interaction.

Qubii was built around this capability:

• Plugs between the charger and the Lightning/USB-C cable
• Automatically launches the Qubii app when the phone starts charging
• Performs incremental backup—picks up where it left off
• Industrial design matches the size of Apple’s 5W charger
• Users supply their own microSD card—separating the storage cost from the device

The product required another MFi technical capability called “Role Switch” and new IC chips developed with Alcor and Norelsys (MK-840, MK-825, MK-850).

Since its launch in May 2018, Qubii has shipped over 1.1 million units worldwide.

Awards include the Computex Jury’s Special Award, Good Design Award (Japan, 2021 and 2022), VGP Award, Taiwan Excellence Award, and DGP Award.

The MFi Moat #

Nine Generations of Custom IC Solutions #

Maktar’s competitive advantage is not a single patent or a single product. It is nine generations of custom IC solutions developed over a decade with nine different IC design companies:

This is not something a competitor can replicate by licensing a chip and writing an app. It is a decade of accumulated firmware development (iAP 1, iAP 2, MFi), hardware integration (Lightning, USB-A, USB-C, wireless charging), software development (iOS, Android, macOS apps, file systems, HTTP servers, SCSI drivers), and Apple-specific expertise (App Launch, Role Switch, co-processor authentication, MFi certification processes).

Complete Vertical Integration #

Maktar controls the entire value chain:

Technology Layer: IC chip design and customization, firmware development, iOS/Android/macOS app development, file system implementation, SCSI drivers, HTTP server architecture.

Product Layer: Industrial design, mechanical design, packaging design, MFi certification, manufacturing (with partners including Foxlink, Jabil, and Liteon).

Brand Layer: Product positioning, naming, visual identity, content creation, photography, video production.

Marketing Layer: Market analysis, advertising, social media, PR, KOL/KOC partnerships, crowdfunding campaigns.

Channel Layer: D2C e-commerce (Shopify), Amazon Japan, Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping Japan, BIC CAMERA, YAMADA DENKI, Yodobashi Camera, NTT docomo, KDDI, SoftBank retail.

Operations Layer: Order processing, warehousing, logistics, customer service—in Japanese, Chinese, English, and Thai.

B2B Technology Licensing #

Some of Japan’s largest technology brands use Maktar’s IC + App solutions under license:

• SoftBank — memory keeper (microSD reader), PowerBackup App
• I-O DATA — Clip bag U3-IP series (iPhone USB drive), PowerBackup App
• Elecom — LMF-LGU3WH series (Lightning USB 3.0 drive), iSmartCopy App
• Transcend — JetFlash product line
• Team Group, PQI, SANWA DIRECT — Various licensed products

This B2B business operates at approximately 100% markup with minimal headcount—a testament to the value of the underlying technology platform.

Japan: Playing Seriously #

From 22% to 68% in Three Years #

Maktar’s Japan story is a masterclass in how a Taiwanese hardware startup can win in the world’s most demanding consumer electronics market.

• 2020→2021: Japan revenue grew 251%, overall revenue grew 58%
• 2021→2022: Japan revenue grew 140%, overall revenue grew 67%

The “3D Strategy”: Online + Retail + B2B Simultaneously #

Most foreign companies entering Japan pick one channel and hope for the best. Maktar attacked all three dimensions at once:

Dimension 1 — Online: Amazon Japan, Rakuten (Maktar was the first Taiwanese brand to operate an official brand store on Rakuten), Yahoo Shopping Japan.

Dimension 2 — Retail: BIC CAMERA, YAMADA DENKI, Yodobashi Camera, NTT docomo stores, KDDI (au) stores, SoftBank stores.

Dimension 3 — B2B/ODM: Technology licensing to SoftBank, I-O DATA, Elecom.

Entry Point — Crowdfunding: Multiple successful campaigns on Makuake and GREEN FUNDING, including Qubii Power at ¥36 million. Crowdfunding served as market validation, early customer acquisition, media attention generator, and inventory risk reducer.

Play Seriously #

Maktar established a Japanese subsidiary—Maktar 株式会社—with an office in Shibuya, Tokyo. The company hired Japanese staff, built Japanese-language customer service systems, and operates like a local company.

This was a deliberate strategic philosophy: “Play Seriously.” Not “taste the market.” Not “find a distributor.” Build a real presence. Hire local people. Earn trust the way Japanese companies earn trust—through sustained commitment, impeccable service, and genuine respect for the market.

Key team members including Yamamoto Yuka and Mitunaka Ayumi provide native Japanese capabilities across marketing, channel management, customer service, social media, PR, and partner relations.

The Three Keys to Japan Success #

1. Play Seriously — Establish a legal entity. Open an office. Signal long-term commitment.

2. Japanese Staff — Native language, cultural understanding, local networks, and customer service that meets Japanese standards.

3. Customer Service — Comprehensive Japanese-language FAQ systems, 24-hour response times, detailed troubleshooting with screenshots, and issue tracking until resolution. In Japan, customer service is not a cost center—it is the brand.

What’s Next: Digital Asset Protection as a Service #

From Hardware to Peace of Mind #

Maktar is transforming from a hardware company into a digital asset protection service platform. The core insight remains the same one that drove Piconizer and Qubii: people know their digital memories matter, but they won’t take action unless the solution is effortless.

Qubii Air: Three-Layer Protection Architecture #

The next evolution is Qubii Air, built around a three-layer protection architecture:

Layer 1 — Local Storage: Automatic backup to local storage during charging, the proven Qubii experience that 1.1 million users already trust.

Layer 2 — P2P Remote Access: Peer-to-peer access to your backed-up content from anywhere, without uploading everything to the cloud.

Layer 3 — AWS Glacier Cold Storage: Long-term archival storage on AWS Glacier for disaster-level protection. Your digital assets survive even if every local device is lost.

This is not just backup. This is digital asset insurance—the peace of mind that your irreplaceable photos, videos, and documents are protected against every scenario, from a dropped phone to a house fire.

Archive as a Service: The Telecom Opportunity #

Maktar is pursuing strategic partnerships with telecom operators to offer this three-layer protection as a subscription service—“Archive as a Service.” For telecoms, it represents a high-value, low-churn subscription offering tied to something customers genuinely care about: their personal memories. For Maktar, it opens the path from one-time hardware sales to recurring SaaS revenue at scale.

By the Numbers #

Company Information #

Maktar Inc. (民傑資科股份有限公司) Tax ID: 54710669 Address: No. 7, Xinhua 6th St., Taishan Dist., New Taipei City 243, Taiwan Phone: +886-2-6604-0020 Email: sales@maktar.com Website: maktar.com

Maktar 株式会社 (Japan) Address: 902, Aoyama Seven Heights, 1-7-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan

Maktar Corporation (USA) Website: us.maktar.com

Maktar Thailand Website: th.maktar.com