NEW ORLEANS, March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- At CTIA WIRELESS 2005 held here
today, the SD Card Association (SDA) announced plans to finalize
specifications for a new, super-compact memory card this Spring. The
microSD(TM) card, expected to be the world's smallest memory card and
measuring just 11mm x 15mm x 1mm, will be completely compatible with
SanDisk(R) Corporation's TransFlash(TM) format. The microSD card offers the
advantages of removability and SD compatibility for use with a host of SD- and
miniSD(TM)-enabled products.
SanDisk TransFlash has been widely adopted by key handset manufacturers
around the world. The microSD card is supported by the more than 800 members
of the SD Association and can be used immediately in the millions of handsets
that currently use TransFlash. SanDisk plans to transition its TransFlash line
to the microSD standard in Q3 2005.
"The microSD card was designed specifically for the wireless
communications market," said Ray Creech, president of SDA. "With mobile phones
now offering built-in, high-resolution camera functions, content downloading
capabilities, compatibility with PC data, and more sophisticated applications,
there is a clear need for removable memory cards that support these
capabilities. The microSD card meets all the wireless applications
requirements for size, speed, performance, inter-operability and security."
"SanDisk has been a leading proponent of industry standards since its
invention of the CompactFlash card and co-development of the SD card," said
Yoram Cedar, an SDA board member and senior vice president of engineering and
emerging markets at SanDisk. "History has proven that manufacturers and
consumers alike prefer a single industry standard card format that is broadly
supported and that unifies the removable storage requirements both of mobile
handsets and consumer electronics. We welcome the impending adoption of
microSD as the new industry standard for mobile devices."
The SD Memory Card is the number one semiconductor memory card in use
around the world today. The card's high transfer speed enables smooth exchange
of data between a wide array of SD-enabled devices such as digital cameras and
camcorders, printers, laptop computers, digital audio products, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), and many other products. In total, 3,649 models in
31 product categories by 268 brands supporting the SD standard have been
shipped to date.
The SD Memory Card is the dominant memory format of choice for the
wireless communications industry. The format is supported by SDA members
Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sharp, Panasonic, Toshiba, NEC and other leading
marketers of SD and miniSD(TM)-enabled mobile phones around the world.
microSD(TM) features and benefits:
* World's smallest memory card
* Specifically designed for mobile phones
* Provides additional memory and expansion and upgrade potential for
mobile phones without adding cost to handset
* Permits lower cost handset production by minimizing embedded memory
* Fully compatible with hosts that use SD or miniSD(TM) Memory Cards
* SD Adaptor available so users can insert into standard SD card slot
* Supports CPRM, SD and smartSD security
* Operators could preload content as added value
About the SDA
The SD Card Association (SDA) is an open industry standards organization
established in January 2000 by Matsushita Electric (Panasonic), SanDisk and
Toshiba, and is supported by a consortium of over 800 companies. The SDA's
mission is to set industry standards and promote the SD Memory Card's wide
acceptance in a variety of applications. SD Memory Card standards are
currently being built into a wide range of new digital products such as
cellular phones, audio players, automotive multimedia systems, handheld PCs
and digital video and still cameras. The Association's web site can be
accessed at http://www.sdcard.org for more information about the SDA. Parties
interested in joining the SDA are encouraged to visit the web site or contact
SDA President Ray Creech directly at 831-636-7322 or rcreech@sdcard.org .
Another SDA Web site is http://www.sdcard.com, which showcases available SD
products worldwide and SD interoperability between devices.
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