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SanDisk has unveiled its new 256GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card. Meeting A1 performance standards, it’s designed to expand smartphone storage for photos and videos as well as provide space to store and run apps. It’s said to achieve transfer speeds ranging up to 95MB/s. At this capacity, the card is able to store up to 24 hours of 1080p Full HD video.
The A1 performance standard means this microSD card can handle random read input-output access per second, also called IOPS, of 1,500, as well as a write IOPS of 500. As such, SanDisk says this card is suitable for handling in-app permissions, graphics and audio, and save profiles on a smartphone. The A1 spec is particularly useful in in light of Android Marshmallow 6’s option for storing and launching apps from the microSD card.
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SanDisk also announced a 256GB USB 3.1 solid state flash drive. Claimed to be the world’s fastest, highest capacity drive, it offers read speeds up to 420MB/s and write speeds up to 380MB/s. SanDisk claims that’s fast enough to transfer an entire full-length 4K movie to the drive in 15 seconds.
The new Ultra microSDXC Premium Edition card will be available globally later this month for $ 199. The 256GB SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.1 drive arrives at the same time, and will sell for $ 179 through Best Buy and Amazon.
Press release:
SANDISK® UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST MICROSD CARD DESIGNED TO DELIVER A NEW DIMENSION OF MOBILE APPLICATION PERFORMANCE
JAN 4, 2017
THE 256GB SANDISK ULTRA® MICROSD CARD WITH THE LATEST A1 SD SPECIFICATION OFFERS MOBILE USERS EVEN MORE STORAGE EXPANSION OPTIONS
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2017 – Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a global storage technology and solutions leader, today unveiled the world’s first microSDTM card that meets the Application Performance Class 1 (A1) requirements from the latest SD Association’s SD 5.1 specifications. By meeting the A1 performance standard, the 256GB SanDisk Ultra® microSDXCTM UHS-I card, Premium Edition, delivers capacity, speed and enhanced capability to deliver a better smartphone experience1.
Since the popular memory card format launched more than a decade ago, microSD cards have been instrumental in driving new segments in digital imaging like action cameras, drones, dashboard cameras and surveillance systems, and have significantly impacted the evolution of the smartphone. Today, approximately 75 percent of smartphone models on the market contain microSD slots, according to data from Strategy Analytics2. The 256GB* SanDisk Ultra microSD card offers the capacity and performance consumers need to capture all of life’s moments without having to worry about what to delete. The card can hold up to 24 hours of Full HD video3 and with premium transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s**. With A1 performance, the card can launch and run apps at blazing speeds.
“The microSD card has been an integral part of the digital revolution by providing more options for high performance, high capacity storage for smartphones,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president of product management, Client Solutions Business Unit, Western Digital. “SanDisk® cards are at the center of more than two billion consumer devices, and now with this A1 card, we’re proud to play a significant role in continuing to advance the trusted format.”
Long used by billions to expand capacity for photos, videos, music and many other digital files, the, microSD card now must evolve to support application-intensive environments, paving the way for a new dimension of memory card performance. With the introduction of the Android Marshmallow 6 operating system, users can expand storage capacity on smartphones by selecting the microSD card as preferred or adoptable storage, which means apps can now be loaded and launched directly from the A1 microSD card.
The A1 spec allows the new card to manage random read input-output access per second (IOPS) of 1,500 and write IOPS of 500, so it can quickly open apps and process accompanying tasks, such as audio, graphics, saved profiles and in-app permissions. With this in mind, the new SanDisk Ultra microSD card with A1 is designed to provide consumers a faster, more powerful app experience using cards.
“SD technology is trusted by consumers around the world for its reliable, backwards compatible and
highly interoperable storage, making it the world’s leading memory format with billions of SD memory cards and devices in the market,” said Brian Kumagai, SDA president. “The A1 specification will help consumers identify the appropriate card to ensure an optimal experience when running and launching apps on their smartphone. We are pleased that SanDisk will release an A1 card, and continues to contribute to breakthrough technologies enabled by the microSD format.”
The new SanDisk Ultra microSD card with A1 is compatible with the SanDisk® Memory Zone app for Android™, giving users an easy way to manage and back up content on their device. The app is available for free through the Google Play™ Store4. The card will be available worldwide in January 2017 with a U.S. MSRP of $ 199.99.
The complete line of SanDisk® microSD cards can be purchased at more than 300,000 retailers worldwide.
SANDISK® LAUNCHES ITS FASTEST, HIGH-CAPACITY USB FLASH DRIVE EVER
JAN 4, 2017
NEW SANDISK EXTREME PRO® USB 3.1 SOLID STATE FLASH DRIVE NOW FEATURES SSD PERFORMANCE IN A PORTABLE, ALUMINUM METAL FORM FACTOR
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2017 – Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), a global storage technology and solutions leader, today announced its fastest, high-capacity USB flash drive to date with the launch of its high-performance 256GB* SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1 Solid State Flash Drive. The new drive delivers the speed, capacity, and reliability of an SSD in the convenient form factor of a small USB flash drive, and is ideal for creative professionals, tech enthusiasts, or anyone who creates and shares massive files.
A game-changer in the USB storage category, the drive is capable of read speeds up to 420MB/s and write speeds up to 380MB/s1. With its unprecedented speeds, you can transfer full-length 4K movie to the drive in less than 15 seconds2. With its USB 3.1 interface, people can rapidly access and move files on the go, without having to worry about a cable. The new drive also features a sophisticated design with a durable aluminum metal casing and a retractable connector for ultimate style and reliability.
“The combination of SSD performance and a compact USB form factor offers the ultimate performance and convenience for moving files easily and quickly,” said Sven Rathjen, vice president of marketing, Client Solutions Business Unit, Western Digital. “With its increased capacity and blazing speeds, the SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1 Solid State Flash Drive is our sleekest, most powerful SanDisk USB device yet.”
The SanDisk Extreme PRO Solid State Flash Drive is available up to 256GB, giving consumers plenty of room to manage large files. For added file protection, it includes the SanDisk SecureAccess® software, which offers 128-bit file encryption and password protection3. The drive also comes with a limited lifetime warranty4.
Pricing and Availability
The new 256GB SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.1 Solid State Flash Drive will be available in late January 2017 at Amazon.com and Best Buy at an MSRP of $ 179.99.
SanDisk storage solutions can be purchased at more than 300,000 retailers worldwide.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)