SanDisk Makes Tiny Memory Cards Larger

SanDisk has announced that it has doubled the current maximum capacities of its SanDisk miniSD, RS-MMC, and TransFlash cards.

Although SD and MMC Cards were once touted as being the smallest memory cards available, those days are long over. Many smartphone designers have decided that a full SD or MMC card slot is too large, and have turned to the reduced-size versions.

miniSD cards take up approximately 60 percent less area in a host device than the standard SD card. An RS-MMC (Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard) card is about half the size of a standard MMC card.

Some of the latest smartphones have a miniSD slot, including the Motorola MPx220 and the Audiovox SMT5600.

The highest capacity miniSD card currently available is 256 MB. However, SanDisk is going to release a 512 MB version next month that will sell for $70.

It will also release a 512 MB RS-MMC card in November that will sell for the same price.

Larger TransFlash Card, too

While miniSD and RS-MMC are just smaller versions of traditional memory cards, TransFlash is something different.

This format, which SanDisk introduced last winter, is intended to remain in the smartphone for extended periods and act as its built-in memory. However, it can be removed to be plugged into another device to transfer files. It also allows the smartphone's on-board memory to be easily upgraded.

Motorola has really embraced this new format. It is using it in the A1000, the E1000, and the V710.

Until now the highest capacity TransFlash card was just 128 MB. However, SanDisk will launch a 512 MB version in December. The company didn't reveal what this will cost.

Don't Forget about SD

SanDisk has been steadily bumping up the capacities of all its memory cards. It revealed last month that a 2 GB SD card will go on the market before the end of the year. When it goes on sale, the 2 GB SD card will cost $240.

This company has also announced an 8 GB CompactFlash Type I card and 4 GB Memory Stick PRO card.

All of these will be part of SanDisk's Ultra II family of flash memory cards, and all are expected to be available in November.

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