SanDisk launches Mobile Ultra memory cards, carry on

There's not much new to see in SanDisk's new Mobile Ultra line of memory cards other than some branding that's sure to confuse people at their local electronics shop, but we'll indulge the idea anyway. The cards come with USB adapters to make transfers to PC easier and are shipping in microSDHC and Memory Stick Micro (M2) flavors in 2, 4, and 8GB varieties. Prices range from $34.99 to $129.99 depending on the card type and capacity.

[Ayman @ May 21st 2008 7:15AM]

$129.99 Im Guessing the M2
But still I want (when cheaper)

[HydePark @ May 21st 2008 7:23AM]

Nanogadget ?

[Tim Brown @ May 21st 2008 8:10AM]

eNanogadget

[nDee @ May 21st 2008 9:49AM]

engadget pico.

[Lifelion @ May 21st 2008 7:30AM]

Where is the 12GB version anyway?

[Hellios @ May 21st 2008 7:31AM]

I'd love a MicroSDHC usb reader, I'd get much better use out of my CycloDS Evolution.

[Nbcdnzr @ May 21st 2008 7:52AM]

Not much new indeed. I got exactly the same SDHC reader (only in red)when I ordered an 8gb SDHC some months ago. And it was a lot cheaper, 55 euros if I recall correctly.

[jallakake @ May 21st 2008 7:54AM]

hmm, are we the same person?

[jallakake @ May 21st 2008 9:40AM]

Am I in fact a schizophrenic, using two Engadget accounts?

[laokoon2600 @ May 21st 2008 9:28AM]

No, it's me already!

[jallakake @ May 21st 2008 7:52AM]

I've got one already, 8GB and all - great thing to have on your keychain.

[John B. @ May 21st 2008 7:54AM]

Over priced much?

8GB Micro SDHC card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171320

Micro SDHC USB reader:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208402

And you've got the exact same thing for under 80 dollars. You could probably push it down to under 60 dollars if you didn't want a SanDisk card (which are in general overpriced anyway).

[Hung @ May 21st 2008 9:46AM]

No way, man! That's an inferior product. Look at the branding!

[theletterj @ May 21st 2008 10:40AM]

Even better: http://www.meritline.com/sandisk-8gb-microsd-sdhc-memory-card.html

[Flashpoint @ May 21st 2008 7:56AM]

the size that these devices can be shrunk to is limited by the size of the USB adapter itself. They cut off the metal clamps but you still gotta have the interior board.

We'd get better micro storage if we had contactless RFID powered flash storage devices. The energy to run it comes from the transmitter and there are no contacts at all.

You'd get 10 GB the size of a penny.

[N30 G30 @ May 21st 2008 9:03AM]

You mentioned all the positives, how about the negatives, like speed, product life, and cost for an 8 GB RFID chip?

Also the size is small enough. Some people already complained about these things being too small. It's too losable.

[Jon Acheson @ May 21st 2008 9:56AM]

Yeah, I would never buy anything smaller than an SD card. I would just lose it.

If the gadget is small enough that it needs a tiny expansion card, better to just forego the expansion and put in plenty of onboard memory.

[happy_penguin @ May 21st 2008 10:45AM]

Forego the expansion? You mean like Apple did with the iPhone and everyone bitched because there is no expansion?

[David Kim @ Jun 21st 2008 4:03PM]

I actually spent $50 on ebay buying an 8GB. I use it for my CycloDS but it's pretty useful as a usb drive i guess

[Phelix_da_Kat @ May 25th 2008 4:00PM]

Nice idea, but the card readers are a pain in the....

I still think the "ULTRA II Plus USB" SD cards are the best in this respect. Can use in your camera and as general storage. Plugs STRAIGHT into your USB port. I keep one in my wallet at all times. (the down side is that you have kind of paid for a card reader for "each" card)

http://sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1119)-SanDisk_Ultra_II_SD_and_SDHC_Plus_Cards.aspx

BUT, what would be even better, is if they made the miniSD card reader the same size as a SD card Plus the USB. Therefore you can use the miniSD in your mobiles.. and use the adapter in your camera and plug in to your USB.

[Xultar @ May 21st 2008 8:17AM]

I already have a 8gb and I spent less than 80 for it I think. Are they re branding and gouging customers?

Say it ain't so!

[laokoon2600 @ May 21st 2008 9:30AM]

No, they're faster too... wait... not... just more expensive than the ones witrh the red reader...

[Pete Zich @ May 21st 2008 10:39AM]

Are these new? Because I have a device that looks just like that for about $20, and I got an 8gb micro sd card about 3 months ago for ~$90.

[Mark @ May 21st 2008 12:46PM]

Why not sony micro vault?
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&resnum=0&q=sony+micro+vault&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=4579099130127871891&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1

[Dorit @ May 21st 2008 1:38PM]

Too bad my phone only supports up to 2GB. 4GB+ are not always supported.

[corystal @ May 21st 2008 1:59PM]

I keep one card in my usb keychain, and one in my treo with an SD adapter... works great for transferring files btwn phone and pc anywhere I go!

[jamesFF @ May 22nd 2008 2:02AM]

I never liked these small micro SD cards, they are way too small for practical use.

By the way, I lost the adapter for my micro SD card. Is there a cheep replacement for mine?