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FlashMemory posts

MicroSD-to-USB Mobidapter is a smartphone's best friend

by Darren Murph posted May 21st 2009 @ 3:26AM

Okay, so maybe it's just a microSD-equipped smartphone's best friend, but you get the idea. Unlike traditional [insert flash format here]-to-USB adapters, Elan's Mobidapter provides a direct bridge from your microSD slot to your external USB hard drive. The result? Dead simple phone backups and file transfers, all without the use of a PC in the middle. Elan asserts that the currently unpriced device will begin shipping in mid-June, and if you're still baffled about how this thing operates, check the yawn-inducing demonstration vid after the break.

Continue reading MicroSD-to-USB Mobidapter is a smartphone's best friend

LG Arena rocking SanDisk's 8GB iNAND flash drive

by Darren Murph posted Feb 18th 2009 @ 2:42AM

For most, the fact that LG's Arena has 8GB of internal storage space is enough. It holds just under eight full gigabytes of miscellany, and it does so without complaining. But for us -- the nerds in the crowd -- knowing that those eight luscious gigabytes are actually on an 8GB iNAND embedded flash drive just makes getting up out of bed a great deal easier. Said drive can act as both the boot and data storage drive, eliminating the need for a separate boot device and mountains of stress. Mmm... NAND in a cellphone, how calming is that, broseph?

SanDisk shipping Mobile Ultra 16GB microSDHC / M2 cards

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 @ 12:06AM

SanDisk got official (after some fighting) with its 16GB microSDHC and M2 cards way back in September, but now we're being formally introduced to the Mobile Ultra line. Both cards remain topped out at 16GB, and it's also bundling a MobileMate Micro Reader along with each. They ought to be hitting shelves this month for $119.99 (microSDHC) / $129.99 (M2), and you can catch the full release just after the break.

Continue reading SanDisk shipping Mobile Ultra 16GB microSDHC / M2 cards

Gemalto embeds DVD-compliant optical disc into WIND SIM card

by Darren Murph posted Sep 15th 2008 @ 7:47AM

Movies on flash drives aren't looking like the next big thing, but Gemalto reckons its approach to getting DVD content on smaller surfaces is different enough to get noticed. In an admittedly bizarre release, the digital security firm has announced a new Smart Video Card for Italian carrier WIND, which "embeds a DVD-compliant optical disc into the card body of a regular SIM card." The card can store practically any digital content (including video, software or URLs) and can reportedly be played back on any DVD drive. So what, we buy a new SIM card each time we're looking for a new batch of miniaturized content? Fabulous!

[Via FashionFunky, thanks Bob]

Kingston offers up 4GB Class 6 miniSDHC cards

by Darren Murph posted Aug 14th 2007 @ 1:05AM

Although Kingston's latest trio of 4GB miniSDHC cards aren't first on the scene per se, that Class 6 iteration is sure sitting at the head of the class. Partnered by Class 2 (2MB/sec) and Class 4 (4MB/sec) versions, the Class 6 miniSDHC card boasts an impressive minimum sustained data transfer rate of 6MB/sec, which ought to be more than sufficient for those unexpected video captures on your mobile. Most interesting, however, is the pricing scheme for the aforementioned devices, as the 4GB Class 6 card runs just two bucks higher ($66) than the Class 4 version ($64), and a mere four dollars more than the lowly Class 2 ($62) sibling, so it's a pretty safe bet that you'll be going for the speed on this one.

[Via ChannelTimes]

Kingmax busts out world's first 4GB microSDHC card

by Paul Miller posted Jan 18th 2007 @ 7:45AM

4GB in an miniSDHC card? We scoff at the audacious bulk of such a memory device! See, only microSD can cut it anymore around the Engadget HQ, now that Kingmax has squeezed 4GB of flash memory into a microSDHC card -- champions of lesser memory formats will be shot on sight. Plus it's not just the capacity getting boost, performance has hit new highs as well, with 22.5MBps dual channel read speeds (150x) and normal read speeds of 19.1MBps (127x). That means the card can pull off SD 2.0 speeds in your digicam, while still making for a real kicker of a memory expansion for your phone or media player. Don't bother with looking for a price or availability date, we just pre-ordered the entire first run.

[Via TrustedReviews]

SanDisk kicks out M2 flash cards for Sony Ericsson handsets

by Darren Murph posted Jan 16th 2007 @ 9:02AM

We'll never understand Sony's perpetual obsession with proprietary formats, especially in regard to flash memory, but nonetheless, SanDisk is filling in the void for a large format Memory Stick Micro (M2) card by pumping out its GB1 / MB2 offerings. The MB2 comes in 512MB and 1GB sizes, while the GB1 ups the ante to 2GB of capacity. If you've discovered just how worthless those SD cards are to your new Sony Ericsson handset, we feel your pain, but if you need extra room for your K610, K800, K790, M600/608, V630, W300, W710, W712, Z530, Z550, Z710, or Z712, here's your answer. Additionally, owners of the D750, K750, P910, P990, V800, W700, W800/810, W850, W900, or Z800 will be able to utilize SanDisk's latest courtesy of the included Memory Stick Pro Duo adapter that comes bundled in. The trio of cards are slated to start shipping later this month, and while the big fellow will run you a steep $119.99, the 1GB flavor only demands $54.99, while you can snag 512MB for $44.99.

[Via MobileTechReview]

Samsung shipping high-capacity moviNAND memory samples

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 12th 2006 @ 5:38AM

Samsung has announced that it's now shipping samples of its high-capacity moviNAND embedded flash memory solution, which it says will eliminate the need for for an external memory card slot in some mobile devices, namely cellphones, or give 'em a bit of extra breathing room when used in conjunction with memory cards. The system, currently available in 1GB and 2GB varieties, consists of some NAND flash memory, a multimedia card (MMC) controller, and onboard firmware, with transfer speeds promised to clock in at a speedy 52 megabytes per second. Mass production of the 1GB and 2GB moviNANDs is set to begin later this month, with 512MB and 4GB models rounding out the line-up by the end of the year.

[Via Slashphone]

Spansion announces plans for increased handset security

by Donald Melanson posted Jun 20th 2006 @ 2:06AM

With cellphones becoming more and more computer-like, that invariably means that they're also susceptible to some decidedly computer-like problems; we're talking viruses, DoS attacks, and other headaches. Though far from the first to address the problem, Spansion is promising a new level of security for handsets by implementing security measures directly within the Flash memory subsystem. In addition to warding off threats, Spansion says their system will also enable data recovery, as well as allow for secure mobile financial transactions and access control for things like using a cellphone to open a car door or start a car. A Software Development Kit (SDK) should be available before the end of the year, with the actual security controller available in something called the Spansion Multi Chip Package (MCP) sometime in the first half of 2007. No word yet on any handset manufactures that have signed on to offer the system, however.