xD Picture Card sale at Mr.Gadget!

xD Picture Cards are more affordable than ever here at Mr.Gadget! Been waiting to update that over-used 16MB or 32MB xD picture card? Well now's the time! We've reduced the prices of xD picture cards by up to $30!

The xD memory cards by Sandisk are compatible with any Fuji or Olympus digital camera that takes xD picture cards. Current Fuji and Olympus xD picture cards on the market are actually just rebranded Sandisk cards. Read here about it at DPReview:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0310/03103101sandiskfujifilmxd.asp

Features of the xD Picture Card:

Connectivity and Compatibility
Compact and durable, the Sandisk xD-Picture Card is the ultimate reusable digital media. Besides offering compatibility with most manufacturers xD-compatible devices, it's the only xD picture card that supports the Panorama function found on most Olympus digital cameras. And it's just as easy using non-xD devices as well, thanks to a number of groundbreaking adapters that will be available including a CompactFlash Adapter, SmartMedia USB Reader/Writer, and PCMCIA/PC Card Adapter.

So Small, It's Huge
An exceptionally compact design means manufacturers will be able to deliver smaller, more stylish, and more powerful digital devices in the future.

Room for Growth
Designed with the most advanced storage technology available, the Sandisk xD-Picture Card system meets the memory capacity needs of today, while also being readily available to fulfill the increased memory
capacity needs of tomorrow.For a detailed look at the xD Picture Card's storage capacities, view our xD Picture Card Capacity Chart. (Flash required.)

Durable
Sandisk xD-Picture Cards were designed for maximum durability, so it’s easy to feel comfortable trusting them with important digital information.

Panorama Support
Sandisk xD-Picture Cards support the Panorama function found on most Olympus digital cameras.

List of xD Picture Cards at Mr.Gadget:

- xD Picture Card Sandisk 64MB
- xD Picture Card Sandisk 128MB
- xD Picture Card Sandisk 256MB
- xD Picture Card Sandisk 512MB

Get your next xD Picture Card here at Mr.Gadget Australia!

Consumer Device Market Drives New Data Storage Technologies

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2004--Research and Markets has announced the addition of Data Storage in Consumer Electronics Set to Explode to their offering

Many consumer electronics on the market today use an internal hard disk or removable flash memory card for data storage.The need for this kind of technology will grow exponentially over the next decade,as consumers demand more from their electronics and applications require robust storage technologies.Consumer adoption of mobile productivity,communications,and entertainment devices that use flash memory cards has grown significantly in a 3-year period.

These devices are the largest market for flash memory today and will be the largest market for new data storage technologies in the future.Due to ever-increasing density,vendors will introduce storage technologies enabling the smallest devices to store larger quantities of data.This report reviews multiple categories of data storage for the consumer device market,and examines the evolution of data storage formats and its impact on the consumer device value chain.This report also explores new data storage technologies that may dramatically affect the consumer device market within the next 5 to 10 years.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c8133

Sandisk Transflash 256MB Unveiled

Geekzone News: SanDisk Corporation introduced the highest capacity yet for its small TransFlash memory module, a 256MB unit that will help meet the demands of new feature phones for greater storage of digital music, video, digital photos and GPS navigation software.

Unveiled by SanDisk in February, the TransFlash module is about one-fourth the size of a standard SD card but can be inserted into an adapter and used in SD-enabled devices. It is the world's smallest removable flash memory module, measuring 15 x 11 x 1 millimeters or roughly the size of a fingernail. SanDisk expects to supply worldwide OEM and retail customers with the 256MB model starting in December, with pricing and exact availability varying according to geographic region.

Alan Niebel, primary analyst for Web-Feet Research, a memory and storage market research firm in Monterey, Calif., said that one of the new functions demanding more memory is video. "With TransFlash reaching 256MB capacity and beyond, the video market on cell phones opens up for storing large amounts of data on the smallest form factor available," he said. Phones that are capable of putting video on TransFlash modules will be able to capture and play back television broadcasts, sports and news clips, movie and music video trailers, and some advertisements, he added. Niebel forecasts that video stored in mobile phones could become one of the largest consumers of flash memory, reaching over $3.6 billion by 2009.

The first company to incorporate TransFlash was Motorola, which currently has several phones that are designed for it, including the Motorola V710, a clamshell model. That unit features a built-in 1.2 megapixel digital camera and an integrated MP3 player.

Two Mobile Giants (Nokia and Sony Ericsson) Join SD Card Association

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The SD Memory Card continues to be the leading semiconductor memory card for the wireless communications industry, as cellular handset marketing giants Nokia and Sony Ericsson join the SD Card Association (SDA). Nokia, the world's foremost handset maker with over 30 percent market share worldwide, joined SDA as a member of its Board of Directors. Sony Ericsson is the world's largest producer of mobile networks and third largest handset supplier. Sony Ericsson and Nokia join Motorola, Samsung, palmOne, Sharp, Panasonic, Toshiba, NEC, Fujitsu, Kyocera and other leading marketers of SD and miniSD-enabled mobile phones around the world.

The SD Memory Card is the number one semiconductor memory card in use worldwide today, and is found in a wide array of consumer electronics products such as digital cameras, camcorders, PDAs, laptop computers, digital audio players and many other products. In total, 2,877 models in 31 product categories by 238 brands supporting the SD standard have been shipped to date.
According to market analyst firm Gartner, Inc., the SD Card has shown impressive growth since its introduction in 2000, capturing 30 percent of the worldwide market in revenue in 2003. Gartner projects SD's share to increase to 38 percent by 2008.

In the United States, this figure is even higher. According to market research from NPD, SD commanded 36.9 percent of the flash memory card market in 2004 (January - August).
"With mobile phones now offering built-in, high-resolution camera functions, content downloading capabilities, and compatibility with PC data, there is a clear need for removable memory cards that support these capabilities," said Ray Creech, President, SD Card Association. "The SD format offers the size, speed, interoperability and security that mobile phone manufacturers, network operators and consumers require."

Mobile phone users increasingly demand more sophisticated applications from devices. Handset manufacturers are looking to add capabilities such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and more to next-generation handsets. The SD Memory Card and miniSD Card are uniquely poised to support these functions, especially through SDIO.

"This is the fruition of the hard work the SDA's Mobile Phone Task Force, formed earlier this year, and shows the SD Memory Card's strength in the wireless communications industry," said John P. Burnham, Global Director of Marketing Communications for the SDA.

In addition to the Mobile Phone Task Force, the SD Card Association established a Mobile Commerce specification, smartSD, that adds "smart card" security and other functionalities to the format. The SDA also approved the SD Map Specification that will help enable Location Based Services.

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 700 companies.

CompactDrive PD7x Portable Storage available at Mr.Gadget!

The CompactDrive PD7X is a portable storage device designed for digital camera users to store more photos on the go without using a LAPTOP or PC. The CompactDrive PD7X makes a great companion on holidays or photo shoots where you can quickly download your photos to allow you to keep shooting away!

Here's a photo that I took of the CompactDrive PD7x:

Main Features of the CompactDrive PD7X 3-in-1 device:
- Transfer Memory Card to HDD (up to 4MBytes/s). The transfer rate of other devices is about 1MB/s.
- USB 2.0 Card Reader 8 in 1
- External Hard Disk Drive to back up data

When using only 4 x AA (2300mAh NiMH) batteries, it can transfer up to 20GB* of photos or data from your memory card to the CompactDrive PD7X. The CompactDrive PD7X can also function as a battery charger for NiMH rechargeable AA batteries. A car/vehicle charger and AC adapter are also include in the CompactDrive PD7x package. (AA batteries not included)

The CompactDrive PD7X is one of the most reliable portable storage device around, designed to satisfy even professional photographers. The durable and lightweight aluminium casing features dust covers to protect the memory card and battery slot and protect the device from hard knocks.

Memory Card Copy Function on the CompactDrive PD7X:
- Supports 4M~2GB CompactFlash type I & II
- Supports 340M~1GB MicroDrive
- Supports SD/Secure Digital card
- Supports MMC card
- Supports MemoryStick
- Supports MemoryStick PRO
- Supports xD PictureCard (No adapter required)
- Copying speed is up to 4MBytes/s
- Individually partition for each memory card
- Copy progress shown on built-in LCD
- Powered 4 pieces AA size battery (not included - NiMH recommended) or AC adapter (included)

Removable Hard Disk Function on the CompactDrive PD7X:
- USB 2.0 interface
- Support Windows98/2000/XP/ME
- USB Mass Storage Device Compliant
- Support 2.5 inch notebook hard disk drive
- Plug & Play under Windows2000/XP/ME

Other Functions & Features of the CompactDrive PD7X:
- Support online firmware update
- Memory card chip-id display
- Hard disk drive infomation display
- Ultra long battery life can copy up to 20GB of data
- Internal charger for Ni-MH battery
- Could be operated vertically
- Beep sound to alert user after copying

Samsung SpinPoint 40GB UATA100 2.5IN 8MB 5400RPM HDD:
- Ultra ATA - 100
- FDB(Fluid Dynamic Bearing) Motor
- Load/Unload Technology
- GMR Head Technology with Wireless Suspension Design
- SilentSeek
- Silentec Hybrid Latch Technology
- Simply the best in HDD technology!

Included in theCompactDrive PD7x packaging:
- CompactDrive PD7X
- Samsung SpinPoint 40GB 2.5" HDD 5400 RPM 8M Buffer
- User Manual
- CD Driver
- A/C adapter auto switching, 110V-240V
- Carry Case
- Bonus : Car Charger

CompactDrive PD7x Links:
- CompactDrive PD7x Homepage
- CompactDrive PD7x Review on DPReview.com

Where can you get this cool gadget?
Get your CompactDrive PD7x here at Mr.Gadget of course!

Vosonic VP3310 xDrive Pro - Portable card reader and storage

The Vosonic VP3310 xDrive Pro allows you to transfer photos/data from your memory card to a hard-drive on the move!

Like it's predecessor (Vosonic VP300) the Vosonic VP3310 xDrive Pro reads the major types of memory cards:
- SmartMedia
- SD/MMC
- Memory Stick
- Memory Stick Pro (Blue version)
- Compact Flash Type I/ II, IBM MicroDrive
- xD Picture Card

Store around 40,000 photos on the Vosonic VP3310 xDrive Pro
Take the Vosonic VP3310 on holidays without having to worry about running out of space on your memory card. The 40GB version of the Vosonic VP3310 will allow you to store around 40,000* photos!! (* assuming photos of the usual size of around 1MB in size)

Play your favourite MP3s on the Vosonic VP3310 xDrive Pro
Not only does the Vosonic VP3310 store photos but it also doubles as a MP3 player. This is the photographers "iPod"- parents don't tell your children about this extra functionality! With the Vosonic VP3310 40GB xDrive Pro you can store around 10,000 songs!

Quality Hard Drive included
I've seen some other vendors include rather normal 2.5" hard drives with the Vosonic VP3310 xDrive Pro. We include the best so you get the superior performance and great value for money : Samsung SpinPoint 2.5" HDD.
Features of the Samsung SpinPoint 2.5" HDD:
- Ultra ATA - 100
- FDB(Fluid Dynamic Bearing) Motor
- Load/Unload Technology
- GMR Head Technology with Wireless Suspension Design
- SilentSeek
- Silentec Hybrid Latch Technology
- 8MB Buffer
- 5400 RPM

Fast data transfer to your PC with USB 2.0
The Vosonic VP3310 xDrive Pro is USB 2.0 compliant which means that you can experience high-speed data transfer from your Vosonic VP3310 to your PC. It is also backward compatible with USB 1.0.

Get your Vosonic VP3310 xDrive Pro from Mr.Gadget!
(available from the 27th September, 2004)