Future Mobile Phones Could Come with 2 Terabyte Memory Cards

璗he SD Association has published the specifications for a new memory card format which could deliver mobile phones with a massive 2 Terabyte memory capacity. The next-generation SDXC (eXtended Capacity) memory card specification also accelerates SD interface read/write speeds to 104 megabytes per second this year, with a road map to 300 megabytes per second.

Specifications for the open standard will be released in the first quarter of 2009.

揝DXC combines a higher capacity roadmap with faster transfer speeds as a means to exploit NAND flash memory technology as a compelling choice for portable memory storage and interoperability,?said Joseph Unsworth, research director, NAND Flash Semiconductors, at Gartner. 揥ith industry support, SDXC presents manufacturers with the opportunity to kindle consumer demand for more advanced handset features and functionality in consumer electronics behind the ubiquitous SD interface.?/p>

At its maximum 2TB capacity, an SDXC memory card will store an estimated 100 HD movies, 480 hours of HD recording or 136,000 fine-mode photos.

SDXC is also the first memory card specification to provide 2TB storage without hindering the high-speed performance necessary for high-end photography. It will provide maximum speeds even when the SDXC specification achieves its maximum 2TB storage capacity.

The first SDXC cards manufactured are likely to provide 64GB storage, doubling the 32GB maximum in SDHC memory cards. Even at early capacity levels, the SDXC card will improve user experience in products like cameras and camcorders.

The SDXC specification uses Microsoft抯 exFAT file system to support its large capacity and interoperability in a broad range of PCs, consumer electronics and mobile phones. The exFAT system was designed for increased compatibility with flash media, from portability of data to interoperability with multiple platforms and devices on removable media.

Posted to the site on 9th January 2009