SanDisk’s Extreme microSD cards promise 80MBps, live up to that claim

SanDisk's Extreme microSD cards promise 80Mbps speeds, live up to that claim

No one likes waiting for a file transfer to finish, and thankfully SanDisk is doing something about it. The company's new "Extreme" line of microSD cards (16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities) promises to deliver speeds of up to 80 MBps. Benchmarks done by Android Police have the 64GB card hitting 78 MBps when used in a dedicated card reader. Putting the card in a smartphone, however, yields far different results. Most smartphones, save for the Exynos 5 Octa version of the GS4, don't support the newer UHS-1 standard for increased transfer speeds. When tested in a Galaxy Note II, SanDisk's new card "only" achieved 14MBps read speeds and 14.6MBps write speeds -- that's still between 50% and 100% faster than a previous generation 64GB SanDisk microSD card. So now we just need phones to catch up, and for handset makers who are averse to microSD cards altogether to change their tune.

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Source: SanDisk, Android Police

SD Association adds secure NFC support to its smartSD memory cards

SD Association introduces smartSD specification with NFC support

Though companies like Visa and Device Fidelity have already come up with a way to make NFC payments via microSD card, the SD Association (the standardization body for SD cards) has introduced a spec that opens up that ability to others. It essentially adds the single wire protocol (SWP) as a Secure Element to enable NFC authorizations like mobile payments and identity verification. Now that any of its members can implement the standard to their microSD cards, perhaps some day we can truly replace our wallets with our phones. We've included the press release and a short video demo after the break if you feel like understanding the tech a little better.

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Source: SD Association

HTC One 802w for China spotted with removable cover, dual SIM slots and microSD slot

HTC One 802w for China spotted with removable cover, dual SIM slots and microSD slot

Much like how three (or four) of the major US carriers will be getting the HTC One, China's three carriers will also be receiving the same treatment, according to the country's official device approval database. The three flavors are known as 802w, 802t and 802d, each heading to China Unicom (WCDMA), China Mobile (TD-SCDMA) and China Telecom (CDMA), respectively. For the record, the European version we have is 801n, so perhaps the third digit represents the number of SIM slots featured on the device.

This is certainly the case for the 802w. Earlier today, a Sina Weibo user posted the above photo of said phone with its back cover -- between the two plastic lines -- removed, thus exposing not only its two SIM card slots but also a microSD slot just below the camera. It's worth noting that the European version of the One doesn't come with a removable back cover, let alone a secondary SIM slot or a microSD slot; but at least it has LTE, right? Since Sina Weibo requires you to login before letting you see the post, we've got the full picture for you after the break.

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Via: Engadget Chinese

Source: Sina Weibo (login required)

GameStick reveals final backer-aided design, dock for peripherals

Gamestick reveals final backeraided design

Now that the Android-powered game console on a stick, GameStick, has been fully funded (five times over), another piece of the puzzle is falling into place: its final design. Taking suggestions from the Kickstarter backers that supported the device in the first place, the final design of the controller reflects, "a more ergonomic form with extended grips and a tapered shape to better sit in the hand." The HDMI stick that previous popped out from the bottom of the controller now rests around back -- it's now got a MicroSD slot built in as well, allowing up to 32GB of expandable memory (bringing the maximum of expandable memory up to 104GB -- that's a lot of Android games).

A docking station is also in the cards, which enables a whole mess of peripherals via USB, HDMI, and ethernet ports -- it's powered separately, so you can charge your GameStick controller without having to turn on the console. You can also charge your controller on it wirelessly, according to PlayJam. All said, it's got one ethernet port, a full size SD card reader, three USB ports, and three HDMI ports (one out, two in), and comes as part of an option $109 bundle on the Kickstarter page. As for its sale price separately from the GameStick, PlayJam's staying mum for now.

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GAMESTICK UNVEILS FINAL DESIGN INSPIRED BY KICKSTARTER COMMUNITY

London & San Francisco; January 29th, 2013; As the GameStick Kickstarter campaign (http://kck.st/12SSvMO) enters its final few days, the team announce their final designs of the device as well as a new docking station for every peripheral conceivable.

GameStick; Kickstarter´s most recent success story, currently sits at over 500% of its original target with over $500K raised at the time of writing. The team waits on tenterhooks to discover the final figure to be revealed at 04:23 PST on Friday 1st February.

"It´s hard to believe that we launched GameStick just a few short weeks ago. The Kickstarter campaign has been a roller coaster of a ride and one which has given us more feedback than we could ever have possibly imagined." says PlayJam´s CMO, Anthony Johnson, "We have been able to take that input and literally better shape our product to give our backers a truly bespoke creation - one which has been designed by the Kickstarter community that backed it."

The new design sees subtle changes to the controller, which gets a more ergonomic form with extended grips and a tapered shape to better sit in the hand. The housing for the HDMI stick has been moved to the rear of the controller and the stick itself now supports an expandable 32GB MicroSD card slot in response to overwhelming demand. The finish has also been meticulously designed meet the highest of standards.

Additional requests from the backer community resulted last week in the GameStick team announcing support for peripheral hardware through a previously unspecified docking station. The dock brings on board a number of sought after features such as; wire-free charging for the controller, a number of USB and HDMI ports to support peripheral hardware such as keyboards, mice, microphones and cameras as well as support for yet more storage bringing the total potential capacity of the bundle up to 104GB.

"The GameStick Dock is a prime example of how we have moved rapidly to innovate while still in the pre-production phase," continued Johnson, "it has made for a 'hairy' 30 days but we think the results are worth it and we are delighted that we have been able to tailor the product as much as we have in such a short time-frame"

The GameStick Kickstarter campaign has reached its first two stretch goals with just under $60K to go to hit it´s third and final stretch which will add a number of colour options to its range; a target the team hopes to hit before close. Backers have been urged to vote for their favourite colours on the GameStick Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GameStickNews) in a poll to establish the final color.

To visit the Kickstarter page and pledge your support, please visit: http://kck.st/12SSvMO

To visit the GameStick website for more information or to apply for an SDK please go to: www.gamestick.tv

To follow GameStick news, join the conversation and give your opinion on Facebook or Twitter please go: www.facebook.com/GameStickNews and www.twitter.com/Game_Stick / @Game_Stick

To subcribe to YouTube,please go to: www.youtube.com/GameStickVideos

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Acer Iconia Tab A110 reaches North America on October 30th for $230, faces a tough fight

Acer Iconia Tab reaches North America on October 30th for $230, faces a tough fight

Acer hasn't had an easy mid-year: it trotted out the Iconia Tab A110 at Computex as a budget Android tablet that could still claim Tegra 3 speeds, only to watch the Nexus 7 arrive and leave virtually every other comparable tablet in a tight spot. It's North America's turn at the A110 this month, and the side-by-side looks aren't getting much easier. When the 7-inch Jelly Bean slate ships to the continent on October 30th, it will cost $230 in both the US and Canada for the lone 8GB version -- a better value than we see in Europe, but still a slightly awkward middle ground between an 8GB Nexus 7 at $199 and its $249, 16GB edition. We're guessing that Acer is counting on the microSD and micro-HDMI expansion to tempt would-be North American buyers away from a less flexible (if Google-blessed) rival.

Continue reading Acer Iconia Tab A110 reaches North America on October 30th for $230, faces a tough fight

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Acer Iconia Tab A110 reaches North America on October 30th for $230, faces a tough fight originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iExpander iPhone Case is Packed with Features

When the iPhone 5 came out, many people wished that it was packed with more features – or at least a beefier battery – instead of being thinner than many smartphones. If you’re one of those people, you might one to get the iExpander case. It’s packed with practical features in exchange for nearly doubling the iPhone 5′s thickness.

iexpander iphone case

Perhaps the best feature of the iExpander is its built-in microSD card slot, which supports up to 64GB cards. Inventor Charlie Corry didn’t specify it, but he did imply that the iExpander will come with an app to facilitate file transfer to and from an iPhone to a connected microSD card. The iExpander also stays true to its name by adding a built-in 1420 mAh battery, which is almost equal to the iPhone 5′s own 1440mAh battery and the 4S’ 1430mAh battery. In short, the iExpander will nearly double your phone’s battery life.

iexpander iphone case 2

The case also has an LED flash that’s stronger than the one in iPhones for better low-light performance. The case will come in two variants, one compatible with the iPhone 4 & 4S and one with the iPhone 5. The latter variant has a bonus feature: it has a built-in adapter that makes it compatible with 30-pin cables, so you can use your iPhone 5 with older chargers, cables, and whatnot. Though the added thickness will probably keep it out of most docks.

A pledge of $75 (USD) or more on its Kickstarter fundraiser gets you an early unit. It’s already surpassed its target fund with still a week to go, so it’s safe to say that the iExpander will see production.

[via CNET Asia]


Samsung brings speedy UHS-I class SD and microSD memory cards in new 64GB sizes to IFA 2012

Samsung brings speedy UHSI class SD and microSD memory cards in new 64GB sizes to IFA 2012

We've seen UHS-I class SD and microSD cards capable of incredible speeds before, and Samsung unveiled a few 16GB microSD modules of its own earlier this year, but now it's showing off 64GB sized versions at IFA 2012. The top of the line Pro editions intended for high speed LTE-connected phones and tablets are capable of read/write speeds at 80MB/40MB per second (SD) and 70MB/20MB per second (microSD). If you're not with us in Germany, you should be able to get your hands on them in mid-October.

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Samsung brings speedy UHS-I class SD and microSD memory cards in new 64GB sizes to IFA 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 02:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nifty MiniDrive for MacBooks: Internal External Drive

As with most Apple offerings, the option to get increased storage space for new Mac notebooks are insanely expensive. Sure, external drives are cheap nowadays, but it would be more convenient if you didn’t have to carry another gadget around. That’s where the Nifty MiniDrive comes in.

nifty minidrive for apple macbook

The Nifty MiniDrive is simply a microSD card adapter that plugs into the SD card slot of MacBooks. Its main selling point is that it sits flush with the computer’s side when plugged in. You can just leave it there and make it part of your laptop.

A pledge of at least $30 (USD) on its Kickstarter fundraiser will make you one of the first owners of a Nifty MiniDrive. It’s available for the MacBook Air (note that the 11″ Air doesn’t have an SD slot), MacBook Pro and the MacBook Pro with Retina Display.


SanDisk announces Extreme Pro microSD cards for smartphones and tablets, quick speeds starting at $60

SanDisk announces Extreme Pro microSDHC cards for smartphones and tablets, blazingly fast speeds starting at $60Touting the "world's fastest mobile memory card" moniker, SanDisk has unveiled the Extreme Pro microSDHC line of storage add-ons for your smartphone or tablet. The outfit is advertising 95MB/s read and 90MB/s write speeds for the UHS Class 1 memory cards -- clocking in a bit faster than Samsung's Ultra High Speed offerings for LTE devices. The cards are now available in either 8GB or 16GB capacities and will hit your wallet for $59.99 or $99.99, depending on your preference. Naturally, you'll want to make sure that your device is compatible with the duo before pulling the trigger, which can be done via the source link below.

Continue reading SanDisk announces Extreme Pro microSD cards for smartphones and tablets, quick speeds starting at $60

SanDisk announces Extreme Pro microSD cards for smartphones and tablets, quick speeds starting at $60 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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