History (2005): microSD

This article was published by the Museum of Obsolete Media.

microSD (2005 – )

microSD (also called TransFlash) is a smaller variant of Secure Digital (SD), created by SanDisk and introduced in 2005.

SanDisk introduced microSD as current memory cards were too large for newer mobile phones.

Initially, microSD cards were available in capacities of 32, 64, and 128MB, but the original microSD standard allowed for up to 2GB of storage. microSDHC (introduced in 2006) allows for between 4 and 32GB, and microSDXC (introduced in 2009) allows for up to 2TB. As of May 2014, that largest commonly available microSDXC cards were 64GB.

microSD cards will work in devices that require SD or miniSD cards by use of an adaptor.

microSD has also been used as a format to distribute music, most notably in the form of Gruvi and subsequently slotMusic by SanDisk, and also on generic microSD cards.