As things unfold for the miCard today we find a picture of the first [actual] product.

Here we see the Pretec S-Diamond miCard which is the new memory card standard from the MMC Association. The new format is expected to house anywhere from 128MB to 2TBs!

Measuring only 21mmX12mmX1.95mm, miCard is the smallest USB flash drive in the world, with an area 40% smaller than miniSD (volume is about 18% smaller than miniSD).

miCard can also be an SD/MMC card with an inexpensive adapter. The specification of miCard should be able to be released to MMCA members later this year.

S-Diamond is the 2nd generation of Pretec i-Disk Diamond series, which has been the smallest USB flash drive for years, which can now also serve as an SD/MMC card, saving not only consumers cost, but also saving hassles by getting rid of card readers and carrying multiple flash cards in different form factors. (more…)

Toshiba might be on to something with their development of a new three dimensional memory cell array structure that enhances cell density and data capacity without relying on advances in process technology. All this with minimal increase in chip size.

The new structure design reflects pillars of stacked memory elements passing vertically through multi-stacked layers of electrode material and utilize shared peripheral circuits. The design is a potential candidate technology for meeting future demand for higher density NAND flash memory.

Typically, advances in memory density reflect advances in process technology, but Toshiba’s approach isn’t necessarily the case.

Toshiba’s new approach is based on innovations in the stacking process, not manufacturing process. Existing memory stacking technologies simply stack two-dimensional memory array on top of another, repeating the same set of processes.

While this achieves increased memory cell density, it makes the manufacturing process longer and more complex. The new array design from Toshiba does increase memory cell density, is easier to fabricate, and does not require increase in chip area, as peripheral circuits are shared by several silicon pillars.

Toshiba said that it will further develop this elemental technology to the level where it matches current structures in terms of security and reliability. So nothing concrete yet, but well on the way with Toshiba’s announcement and commitment to fine-tuning this approach. With computer hard drives starting to go NAND based, there is a lot at stake. (more…)

Over the weekend a publication came out about applying nanowires to flash like storage to produce memory that is cheaper to manufacture than typical flash memory storage materials we see today.

The fabrication is a combination of silicon nanowires and more traditional type of data storage.

Researchers say their hybrid structure may be more reliable than other nanowire-based memory devices built recently, and could as well be easily integrated into commercial applications.

According to the scientists, the device is a type of “non-volatile” memory, like flash memory, which is widely used in digital camera memory cards and USB memory sticks, meaning stored information is not lost when the device is without power.

In this new device, nanowires are integrated with a higher-end type of non-volatile memory that is similar to flash, a layered structure known as Semiconductor-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Semiconductor (SONOS) technology.

Here’s the key element of the design, when fully charged, each nanowire device stores a single bit of information, either a “0″ or a “1″ depending on the position of the electrons. When no voltage is present, the stored information can be read.

Since flash memory is a more expensive to produce than using the above design, the nanowire memory approach could further reduce the cost of memory thus creating a shift in manufacturing process, design and end user consumption. Not bad! (more…)

The MultiMedia Card Association just approved what could become the super flash card of the future - the miCard.  The new design from a Taiwanese research institute has produced a new global memory card standard, called the miCard, with a storage capacity that max’s out at 2TB (terabytes)

The miCard is expected to ship as early as the 3rd quarter of this year.  What is inviting about this standard is not only the storage capacity but the backward compatibility of the card size.  With the inclusion of USB connectivity the miCard could literally wipe-out the plethora of other flash memory cards - thus making this site much less interesting!  Oh - lets hope not!

The first miCards will be able to store 8GB of data, but the maximum capacity is expected to top out around 2,048GB. The compatibility with both USB and MMC slots means most users won’t need separate card readers anymore. MMC cards fit most consumer electronics, while USB connections are built into a wide range of IT hardware, including laptops, desktops, printers and home entertainment gear.

So far, 12 Taiwanese companies have signed on to manufacture the miCard, according to its inventor, the Industrial Technology Research Institute. Officials expect local companies to save $40 million in licensing fees thanks to the card, in addition to profiting from sales. Taiwanese companies will not have to pay royalties to make miCards or related technology.

It’s possible you want to delete files off flash memory and not be able to retrieve them back. Gone is gone - no recovery software would do the trick - permanent removal.

Well, if you can live without the DOD (Department of Defense) specification, then here is some free software to perform secure deleting. This program allows you to specify a directory (and optionally all subdirectories) in which all files should be deleted. When each file is deleted the contents of the file are filled with random data prior to deleting the file. (more…)

The xD Picture Card was developed by Olympus and Fujifilm and released in mid 2002. The xD card then had improvements made and labeled Type M and Type H. The improvements of the xD flash memory technology where done to increase storage capacity and/or speed performance.

• The original xD format held between 16MBs and 512MBs.
• The following version was Type M. This increased storage capacity to 8GBs and released in the beginning of 2005.
• The next format version, Type H, increased performance of data transfer and has a storage range of 256MBs to 2GBs. Type H xD card was released in late 2005.

Since Type H has better data transfer rates, this type of card is needed if using a camera for capturing video. Type M is too slow. (more…)

Kingston teamed with MyMemory to develop and offer a Flash Memory vending machine. I have an iPod and gadgets vending machine at my local grocery market already - I like this concept because I’m more likely to need flash memory than an iPod.

This is a pilot program with Kingston and units are already operational in London.

(more…)

Today SanDisk announced their largest Memory Stick Micro card the M2. At convenient 4GBs it’s the largest flash memory card for any mobile phone. The M2 was designed, in partnership, with Sony and their line of Ericsson mobile phones.

Norm Frentz, director of marketing believes, “this is the threshold at which mobile phones provide enough capacity to become the user’s all-in-one portable music player, camcorder, photo album and video player.”

And I for one believe him. At 4GBs you can do just about anything and carry just about anything you could imagine.

Andrew from GearFuse updated us on the patent design from Nokia which gets us all hot and excited. The N99 slider phone, which is now evidently confirmed from this patent, is going to be one pretty looking cell. Along with the gorgeous QWERTY keyboard and widescreen display, the N99 will also house an outlandish 8Mp digital camera.

The closer is the sweet tablet style twisty number pad. The pad seems to be able to fold so that it can be used even in QWERTY mode. This thing is looking gorgeous. (more…)

Samsung is in collaboratin with Beyonce on their SGH-F300 Ultra Music phone where she will heavliy promot the product in spot TV commercials, ads and concert tours. Not a bad move for Samsung as teaming with Beyonce gains some serious followers. The deal also gives F300 owners an exclusive and embedded sound track, “Irreplaceable” pre-loaded on the cell.

The F300 is a unique device with two faces. A large display for viewing pics, videos and movies and on the back side, a smaller display for phone entry and dialing. With the ultra slim design and expandible microSD card, it’s a very attractive deal. Not available everywhere, but with Beyonce on-board it will be soon. (more…)