New Datatravler Micro USB reader from Kingston

Kingston Technology Company, Inc just announced the DataTraveler Micro Reader, an all-in-one USB Flash drive and reader that can store, transfer and read content on mobile memory cards.

“As mobile phones perform more sophisticated functions, carving a greater place in the lives of mobile consumers, Kingston is developing faster speed/larger capacity cards and versatile USB/card/device readers to help users get the most out of their devices,” said Jean Wong, Flash memory product manager, Kingston. “We believe the DT Micro Reader will be well received by the mobile community as a smart single-solution to navigate the plethora of devices and card formats on the market today.”

The DataTraveler Micro Reader is enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost, and features onboard Flash memory up to 4GB and an expansion slot to read microSD, microSDHC, or Memory Stick Micro (M2) cards. It is the perfect device for users who want to minimize the number of devices they carry and still have a USB drive handy for storage and a reliable method to transfer songs, videos, photos, and more between a mobile phone and computer.

Mobile phones that utilize microSD, microSDHC or Memory Stick Micro (M2) memory cards can take advantage of the DT Micro Reader’s simple drag and drop action that easily transfers files between one’s PC or Mac and mobile phone. Digital content can now be enjoyed on the phone without the need for cables.

The DataTraveler Micro Reader is backed by a five-year warranty and legendary Kingston service and support. The 1GB version will ship this month, followed by the 2- and 4GB capacities.

Features/Specifications:

• Versatile: use as a USB Flash drive and/or as a reader for microSD, microSDHC, and Memory Stick Micro (M2)
• Compliant: with SD 2.00, microSDHC and USB 2.0
• Convenient: pocket-sized for easy transportability
• Simple: plug and play into any USB port
• Guaranteed: five-year warranty
• Dimensions: 2.52″ x 0.78″ x 0.41″ (64.0 mm x 19.8mm x 10.4mm)
• Capacities*: 1GB, 2GB, 4GB
• Enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost
• Operating temperatures: -32° to 140° F (0° to 60° C)
• Storage temperatures: -4° to 185° F (-20° to -85° C)
• Weight: 0.31 oz. (8.68 g)

Kingston DataTraveler Micro Reader
Part Number	MSRP (U.S. only) Prices subject to change
DTCRC/1GB	$19.25
DTCRC/2GB	$27.25
DTCRC/4GB	$42.00

Its for real, 32GB SDHC comming in April

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR WORLD’S FIRST 32GB SDHC MEMORY CARD WITH CLASS 6 SPEED

Available in April, SDHC Memory Card Stores Up to 12 Hours of HD Video

Panasonic just announced the release date of the world’s first 32 Gigabyte (GB) SD High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card with Class 6 speed specification.  With a global release in April 2008, the new SDHC Memory Card, RP-SDV32GU1K, is perfect for those wanting High Definition content,as it can record up to 12 hours of High Definition video.  The new SDHC Memory Card will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $699.

The newly developed card, featuring a massive 32GB of capacity is ideal for AVCHD High Definition video recording, a growing demand thanks to the recent expansion of High Definition SD Camcorders.  When used with Panasonic’s newly released High Definition SD camcorder, the HDC-SD9, the 32GB card can record approximately 12 hours of 1440 x 1080i High Definition video in HE mode, and approximately four hours of 1920 x 1080i full High Definition video in HA mode.  With the Class 6 speed specification and maximum data transfer speeds up to 20MB/s, the 32GB card allows users to enjoy superb performance and high-quality recording.

The card is also equipped with a new user-friendly labeling feature, which allows users to write titles or comments directly onto labels on the front and back of the card.  Panasonic will introduce the new labeling feature in its other SD Memory Card models, with a running changeover from the current card designs. 

The new card, like all other Panasonic SD and SDHC Memory Cards, is extremely reliable even under severe temperature conditions. Since the cards incorporate an industrial-grade flash memory, they work in temperatures ranging from -13°F to +185°F, while consumer-grade flash memory only guarantees +32°F to +158°F, thus ensuring consistent performance regardless if the user is skiing or snowboarding or if the SD Memory card is left in a hot car.

16GB SDHC Flashcard from Kingston

New Larger Capacity Card Joins Current Line of 4GB, 8GB SDHC Products to Offer Breadth of Digital Storage Solutions

Kingston Technology just announced it is adding a 16GB Class 4 SDHC Flash memory card to give consumers greater storage flexibility and faster speed to optimize use of today’s higher resolution imaging equipment. The new 16GB card is the largest capacity in Kingston’s line of SDHC cards, which include 4- and 8GB SDHC Class 2/4/6 versions.

“Higher resolution digital cameras and increasingly popular HD video camcorders require high capacity memory cards with faster data transfer rates (DTRs) to maximize overall performance of the recording device,” said Jaja Lin, Flash memory marketing manager, Kingston. “Our new 16GB Class 4 memory card answers the performance needs and expands Kingston’s product line to provide a memory solution for every application.”

Even with today’s high resolution recording devices, a 16GB memory card can store literally thousands of photos and hours of high definition video. For example, the new 16GB SDHC card can capture more than 7,500 images (with a 6MP camera) and more than four hours* of video (for 6Mbps HD Extended recording).

Kingston SDHC memory cards are offered in three different speed classes (2, 4 and 6) with each speed class designation reflecting the minimum sustained DTR. For example, a Class 2 SDHC card has a minimum DTR of 2 megabytes per second, while a Class 6 SDHC card has a minimum DTR of 6 megabytes per second. These cards are the perfect solution for today’s SDHC-compatible devices that run MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and other high quality video compression used by consumer HD and DVD video.

Kingston’s line of SDHC memory cards are backed by a lifetime warranty and 24/7 live technical support.
Features and Specifications:

• Compliant: with the SD Card Association specification version 2.00
• Secure: built-in write-protect switch prevents accidental data loss
• Compatible: with SDHC host devices; not compatible with standard SD-enabled devices/readers
• File Format: FAT 32
• Reliable: lifetime warranty
• Simple: as easy as plug-and-play
• Capacities: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB
• Dimensions: 0.94″ x 1.25″ x 0.08″ (24mm x 32 mm x 2.1mm)
• Speed Class Rating:
  • Class 2: 2MB/sec. guaranteed minimum data transfer rate
  • Class 4: 4MB/sec. guaranteed minimum data transfer rate
  • Class 6: 6MB/sec. guaranteed minimum data transfer rate
• Operating Temperature: -13° F to 185° F (-25° C to 85° C)
• Storage Temperature: -40° F to 185° F (-40° C to 85° C)
• Voltage: 3.3V

Kingston Secure Digital High-Capacity Card
Part Number	Capacity and Description	MSRP (U.S. only). Prices subject to change.
SD4/16GB	Class 4 SDHC 16GB	$231.00

SanDisk Launches High-Definition Video Flash Card Line for New Digital Camcorders

Consumers who own camcorders that use flash memory cards instead of tape will now be able to select the right storage media for their cameras with the debut of a video card line from SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK). As the first of a new category of storage media, SanDisk Video HD™ ccards will be available in SDHC™ (high-capacity) and Memory Stick PRO Duo™ formats, and will be identified by minutes of recording time as well as by capacity.

SanDisk unveiled the high performance video card product family during a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show, where the company is exhibiting at Booth 30768 in South Hall 3 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“The SanDisk Video HD line takes the mystery out of selecting the proper memory for these new camcorders,” said Susan Park, senior product marketing manager for SanDisk’s Cards and Accessories Division. “The bright red packaging and the bold labeling of recording times give consumers an easy way to select memory cards for video.” The cards are designed to be high performance and optimized for high-definition camcorders, but they can also be used in recording standard video. Further, the cards work well in point-and-shoot digital still cameras that have video capabilities, she added.

“Until now, it has been difficult for consumers to select the memory card that is the most suitable for their camcorders, and equally difficult to calculate the amount of recording time they have available from the various resolution settings,” said Park. Echoing the familiar messaging of analog video tape, the SanDisk Video HD card packaging offers a chart that shows the approximate number of minutes for HD High, HD Standard and HD Extended settings.

SanDisk Video HD cards exceed the performance required by high definition camcorders, making them ideal for 1080 High Definition recording. They also feature a fast read speed, making for efficient transfer speeds to a personal computer and giving them a “best in class” performance for video cards.

The concept of launching a new product category is being driven by the proliferation of HD-capable flash-memory-based camcorders and hybrid camcorders that contain both hard drives and card slots. Offered by manufacturers such as Sanyo, Sony, Panasonic and JVC, many of them are under $1,000 and come in compact sizes that make them easy to carry.

The market for flash-enabled camcorders is expected to grow in popularity. Research company IDC predicts that by 2011, some 37 percent of global camcorder shipments will be models that record onto memory cards, and well over half of camcorders will feature HD video capture. “With HD video quickly penetrating the category, it will be critical for vendors to provide seamless recording experiences,” said Christopher Chute, research manager of IDC’s worldwide digital imaging practice. “The SanDisk Video HD card is well-positioned to service this expanding market by simplifying the memory message for consumers,” he added.

The SanDisk Video HD cards are expected to be available starting in March for North America and shortly afterwards for Europe. They will be offered in 60-minute* (4GB) and 120-minute* (8GB) times – on the HD Standard setting – for both SDHC and Memory Stick PRO Duo formats. Suggested retail prices are $79.99 and $139.99, respectively, for the 4GB and 8GB SDHC cards, and $79.99 and $149.99, respectively, for the Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Retailers have indicated that the cards will be displayed at or near digital camcorders.

Another feature: The cards come with jewel cases and labels so that users can identify and store their valued videos.

Approximate Recording Time*

SanDisk  Video HD		13Mbps*   HD High	9Mbps*  HD Standard	6Mbps*  HD Extended
SD	4GB 8GB	40 min*  80 min*	60 min*  120 min*	90 min*  180 min*
		15Mbps*  HD High	9Mbps*  HD Standard	5Mbps*  HD Extended
MSPD	4GB 8GB	30 min*  60 min*	60 min*  120 min*	90 min* 180 min*