Toshiba's new line of SD cards support the latest "SD Speed Class" specification from the SD Card Association, which guarantee minimum speeds by allowing host devices to check and read the cards tht are inserted in their SD slots. At the top is the "Ultra High Speed Series" sustaining 20MB/sec available in 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB capacities, and "High Speed Series" available in the same capacities guarantees transfer rates of 5MB/sec.

There are three classes in the SD Speed Class: Class 2 guaranteeing over 2MB/sec, Class 4 at 4MB/sec, and Class 6 at 6MB/sec. Toshiba's new cards fall into Class 6 and Class 4, and are compatible with existing SD card-supporting devices in addition to SDHC devies.



Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/0824/toshiba2.htm

Press Release:
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2006_08/pr_j2401.htm

Here's a slightly more standard product than what we're used to seeing from SolidAlliance -- a cherry blossom-themed USB memor device.

Here's a new round of Gundam-themed USB memory devices from Elecom.

Here's a new DVD drive from IO Data that is actually has two disc readers, enabling users to make copies of discs without using their PC.

Here's a rather unique item from somewhere in Asia. It's a "USB Treasure Chest," complete with a lock that o­nly opens if you enter the password correctly using your PC.

Also from Buffalo is a new line of hard drives that support the Serial ATA II interface.

I'm not entirely sure what Buffalo had in mind when they went to create this, but they're introducing a new line of USB drives that come pre-loaded with manga samples.

TDK just began their sample shipments of cartridge-less Blu-ray Discs. 2006 will be the year of Blu-ray vs. HD DVD, so it will be interesting to see which format ends up o­n top.

One of the primary advantages Blu-ray has versus HD DVD is the fact that the discs support multiple layers. Sony said they're working on discs with as many as 8 layers, bringing the total capacity to 200GB. Nice.

But before we get there, we need to dual and quadruple layer discs first. Panasonic has announced they've begun initial production of the former, and they'll be shipping out sample units before the end of the year. They already have an English press release available, so go ahead and take a look if you're interested.

In what seems to being happening a lot these days, IO Data has announced certain models of their recent shock-resistant hard drives ship preloaded with... a virus.