This is a simple MicroSD adapter card. It allows you to interface with any micro-controllers. It is perfect for mass storage, WAV/MP3 player and data logging. The adapter breaks out the MicroSD socket to a standard 0.1″ 8-pin header. It can be plug directly into breadboards. This adapter features innovations that set it apart from other SD card adapter. Innovations feature like on-board card detect LED, Push-Push socket, and 3.3V regulator. Which mean either 3.3V or 5.0V micro-controller can be connected directly with the board. You can even use this 3.3V to power external circuits up to 250mA.
MicroSD cards offer an inexpensive, flexible and reliable way to bring data logging and data storage solutions to your electronic design projects.
Pinout:
VIN: Input power to the SD card (3.3V to 6.0V)
GND: Common (Connects to the housing of the SD socket)
3V3: Output voltage from the on-board 3.3V regulator (250mA)Â
Netcom is a Chinese company which is trying to carve out a niche market for themself by developing a NFC [Near Field Communication] chipset inside a microSD card.
The technology gives the microSD card the ability to communicate via NFC as well as provide memory storage for the user. The NFC chip sits inside the microSD slot of the host.
The idea is bringing NFC technology for payment terminals to older phones which don’t have the NFC chipset or technology currently in them.
The Netcom solution does require a bit of attention to make it all work. First, the microSD slot of the host must be made of plastic. Most are, but it’s worth noting to look before you buy.
Next, the NFC chipset does require a small app loaded on the host so that communication can take place between the NFC chip itself and the host it’s sitting in. Which makes sense, as typically that app is embedded on the phone RAM when spec’d out during production for a “certified NFC” device.
Last, is the antenna coil required to sit inside the microSD card might be a bit small/short for communication of a distance more than 20mm from the terminal receiver. Again, not a big deal as we are talking about NEAR field communication, but worth noting before buying.
Source [image as well] Engadget.com.
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It’s been said Motorola rushed their shipments of XOOM tablet products to make an early claim in the market for iPad like solutions. The problem is that some of the OS features and hardware accessories don’t work. For example, the XOOM from Motorola has a microSD slot for increased capacity, but the damn slot doesn’t work.
Motorol assured users the slot will be enabled not to long, but for many – they want access now. With tablet sizes between 16GB and 32GB I can see the immediate need for increased storage space. Granted, the space would be required more by a user looking to store large movie video files and not the typical user of tablet games, email clients and browsers, but never the less, it’s important for users to have the option. The option for more storage.
Tiamat came up with a solution. They have released an updated Linux kernel which enables the microSD slot. I’m not sure what other snibits of code are included with the kernel [caution] but if you desperately need the
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Visa started a four week trial period where mobile phones can not make touch-less payment transactions. This means you can now wave your phone in front of a terminal to make a purchase.
For purchases under $100 no PIN or signature is required and the customer has the option of receiving a receipt.
The technology is compatible with existing contact-less payment terminals already installed at more than 20,000 retail outlets across Australia, including fast food restaurants, electronic stores, book stores, sporting stadiums, clothing stores and vending machines.
Visa is calling this program the payWave technology and will pave the way for new banking methods using mobile devices. You can manage your account and make transfers, receive real time offers from merchants, fraud notices and you can even deactivate your card number through the mobile device.
This technology runs on an encrypted microSD card. Fifty participants from the Sydney and Melbourne offices of ANZ and Visa will been given a special protective iPhone case with a secure microSD memory card that allows them to turn their phone into a virtual wallet.
This solution seems ideal for a pilot program, but I’m sure the final product will incorporate a solution where an additional case is not required. For more information, check out the following Visa YouTube video.
So here is a bit of information one could use for a cocktail conversation starter at your next computer club meeting, the start of flash memory.
The first piece of flash memory was invented way back in 1984. Flash was invented by Toshiba and by a guy named Dr. Fujio Masuoka. According to Toshiba records, the term “flash” was suggested by Dr. Masuoka’s colleague, Mr. Shoji Ariizumi because the erase process of the memory contents reminded him of a flash like in a camera.
Toshiba presented the new invention at the IEEE 1984 Integrated Electronics Devices Meeting in San Jose California and Intel saw the immediate value and jumped on board. By 1988 the first commercial NOR type flash chip was commercially available.
NOR based flash has long erase and write times and has a full address/ data interface. Meaning one can read or write data to any portion of the NOR chip. The NOR technology is mostly used for low levels of read/write cycles. So for example, NOR is great for BIOS and firmware of a device. NOR was the first version of flash, but everyone quickly realized a cheaper, faster solution is also needed.
In 1989 the first NAND flash chip was introduced. It had faster erase and write times, higher density, and lower cost than NOR flash – with ten times the endurance. The draw back with NAND [if you can call it that] is the I/O interface only allowing sequential access to data. Meaning you can only write to the device after the last bit of data has been written. This makes it suitable for mass-storage devices such as PC cards and various memory cards like USB, SD and microSD, and somewhat less useful for computer memory.
Source:Â TutorialsWeb.
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Today I read a great article on the future of cell phones, microSD cards and wireless payments.
Imagine a purchase where you receive a coupon because you are in a specific store. You then find the product, and go to pay. Rather than pulling out your credit card, you simply wave your phone before a terminal and the purchase is done. The transaction gets emailed to you, so not even a receipt is generated. Not bad, and it isn’t far away.
US Bank, one of the leading US financial institutions, will be test piloting the program with their employees and the iPhone later this year. If all goes well, you can see banks, phone companies and microSD manufacturers teaming up for one sweet contactless purchasing solution.
I am by no means an expert in this field, so I’ll restrain myself from regurgitating the article, but if this topic peaks your interest, jump over to NFC Times and read the entire story. Very interesting.
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Today Nexcopy announces an all new microSD duplicator product line. We reported on the Nexcopy SD duplicator from several months ago, but that version used SD adapter cards.
The new microSD duplicator is specifically designed to handle the microSD form factor. There are no adapter cards required. This alone will increase production by [Nexcopy estimates] 30% because the user no longer has to insert microSD media into SD adapters, then into the duplicator.
The microSD duplicator comes with Nexcopy’s software suite for File Copy, Bit for Bit copy and full binary Verification functions.
The microSD duplicator is available in three sizes of 20 port, 40 port and 60 port target systems. The starting price is $,1299 and available now for immediate delivery.
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I have been a fan of Steampunk products for a long time. Typically I report on a Steampunk USB version, but today I get the pleasure to include a microSD card reader.
The construction is similar to other Steampunk products we’ve seen, made of brass, copper, glass, watch parts and clock parts. The metal connections from the brass wire outside are made with silver solder and an acetylene tourch, which gives it the unique look and feel. In addition, the maker, put extra time into the fitting and position of the internal components for a solid product.
The Steampunk device is an 8GB flash drive with a microSD card reader at the tail end. The technology is make of disassembled stock product where the microSD card reader is built into the flash drive. Clearly the device will show two drive letters when connected to the computer, one for the USB stick and the other for the card reader.
So now you can obtain a Steampunk flash drive with unlimited storage ability via the microSD card reader. Price is much higher then the stock product, but hey, you’ll never get a great looking, customized case like this Steampunk body.
Source:Â Etsy.
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Lets start the clock ticking for when microSD media will take over the world for flash storage.
I am still amazed at the small size of the microSD media and it’s expansive ability to keep growing in GB capacity. Today SanDisk is officially selling the 32GB version of their microSD card. Sure, it’s $200 USD but when you are an overseas airplane ride and need hours and hours of video content to stream through your 3 inch screen, this will be very handy. I will forget the fact that a DVD player is less than that…but we’re talking cool factor here.
The new 32GB card makes use of SanDisk’s three-bit-per-cell storage technology and is able to hold around 7,000 songs. That translates into 19 solid days of listenting to music, without break, 24/7.
So forget the $200 price tag and maybe you can be lucky like me and find a microSD card, 2GB capacity for $3 off Amazon.com.
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With microSD cards getting so large, we have seen some create uses. This years CES 2010 is no exception. Take for example, the new data backup service from Clickfree. Clickfree now offers the ability for you to backup PC files directly to your Blackberry smartphone.
The new Clickfree Traveler Micro-SD card for BlackBerry comes with pre-installed Clickfree software. This enables you to easily backup important files to your BlackBerry. The Traveler is tailor made for the business users who are constantly on the go and searching for a better way to backup their data.
Once Clickfree is installed your BlackBerry will automatically backup your files every time you connect to the computer via USB cable. It also keeps files secure with password protection which is encrypted. The Clickfree Traveler works with Windows 7, Vista, XP and Mac OS X 10.5+. It will release in February for a price of $89.99 (16GB) and $149.99 (32GB).
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This is a simple MicroSD adapter card. It allows you to interface with any micro-controllers. It is perfect for mass storage, WAV/MP3 player and data logging. The adapter breaks out the MicroSD socket to a standard 0.1″ 8-pin header. It can be plug directly into breadboards. This adapter features innovations that set it apart from other SD card adapter. Innovations feature like on-board card detect LED, Push-Push socket, and 3.3V regulator. Which mean either 3.3V or 5.0V micro-controller can be connected directly with the board. You can even use this 3.3V to power external circuits up to 250mA.
MicroSD cards offer an inexpensive, flexible and reliable way to bring data logging and data storage solutions to your electronic design projects.
Pinout:
Source [image as well] 
Motorol assured users the slot will be enabled not to long, but for many – they want access now. With tablet sizes between 16GB and 32GB I can see the immediate need for increased storage space. Granted, the space would be required more by a user looking to store large movie video files and not the typical user of tablet games, email clients and browsers, but never the less, it’s important for users to have the option. The option for more storage.
Tiamat came up with a solution. They have released an updated Linux kernel which enables the microSD slot. I’m not sure what other snibits of code are included with the kernel [caution] but if you desperately need the
The technology is compatible with existing contact-less payment terminals already installed at more than 20,000 retail outlets across Australia, including fast food restaurants, electronic stores, book stores, sporting stadiums, clothing stores and vending machines.
Today I read a great article on the future of cell phones, 
Lets start the clock ticking for when microSD media will take over the world for flash storage.
With