Toshiba to Launch “FlashAir™”, the World’s First SDHC Memory Card with Embedded Wireless LAN Communications

Maximum PC had this to say:

Toshiba just trotted out what it claims is the world’s first SDHC memory card with embedded wireless LAN functionality baked in. It’s called the FlashAir, it has 8GB of storage capacity, and it sounds an awful lot like the Eye-Fi line of SDHC cards, doesn’t it? In some respects, the FlashAir is similar, but it’s also different in one very big way.

While both the FlashAir and Eye-Fi allow users to upload data from the SDHC card to other devices, like your PC, the FlashAir supports two way communication. It can deal with peer-to-peer transfers, and supports uploading to and downloading from servers, Toshiba says.

“FlashAir’s embedded wireless communication functions allows users to upload and download photographs to and from a server and to exchange photographs and other data with other devices, including digital cameras that are FlashAir compliant and, smartphones and PCs that support wireless LAN,” Toshiba explains. “All transfers are done wirelessly, without any need for a cable connection. Key features of the card include the ability to receive as well as transmit and lower power consumption than other cards with similar functions.”

Even if your digital camera isn’t compliant with FlashAir, it will still share digital images with other devices on a Wi-Fi network. Other bullet points include 802.11b/g/n, Class 6 speed rating, and support for various security protocols, including WEP, TKIP, and AES (WPA, WPA2).

Toshiba will begin shipping samples in November; retail availability expected in February 2012. No word yet on price.

TOKYO–Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced that it will launch the world’s first^[1] SDHC memory card with embedded wireless LAN functionality to meet the SD Memory Card Standard. The new card, “FlashAir™”, has an 8GB capacity and supports both peer-to-peer transfers and uploads to and downloads from servers. Samples will be available from November 2011 and sales will start in February 2012.

FlashAir will be featured at IFA 2011, in Berlin, Germany from September 2.

At a time when digital cameras have achieved immense popularity, users want a quick and easy way to share photographs with friends and to transfer them to and from online storage services and social networks. Toshiba provides the solution with FlashAir, the world’s first SDHC memory card with embedded wireless LAN functionality that is fully compliant with the SD Memory Card Standard.

FlashAir’s embedded wireless communication function allows users to upload and download photographs to and from a server and to exchange photographs and other data with other devices, including digital cameras^[2] that are FlashAir compliant and, smartphones and PCs that support wireless LAN. All transfers are done wirelessly, without any need for a cable connection. Key features of the new card include the ability to receive as well as transmit and lower power consumption than other cards with similar functions.

Even in digital cameras not compliant with FlashAir, the new card can share digital images with smartphones and PCs that support wireless LAN.

Toshiba will secure certification of FlashAir for wireless communication in Japan, North America and Europe.

Toshiba will reinforce and extend its leadership of memory business by further enhancing its SD memory card line-up.

Notes:

[1]

As of September 1, 2011. Source: Toshiba Corporation.

[2]

A number of camera makers are now considering launching compliant products.

Key features

Note:  The above product name is for the Japanese market.

Specifications

Note:  The above specifications are as of September 1, 2011.

*The card can be used in devices that comply with the SDHC Memory Card Standard.
*”FlashAir™” is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation.
*The SDHC logo is a trademark of SD-3C. LLC