[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Toshiba Corporation (http://goo.gl/p8j1Ek) (TOKYO:6502) today announced that it will launch the world’s fastest[1] microSD memory cards, compliant with UHS-II[2], the ultra high speed serial bus interface defined in SD Memory Card Standard Ver. 4.20. Sample shipments for set manufacturers of smartphones and other mobile devices, and for chipset vendors, start today.

The new microSD memory cards will be available in 32GB and 64GB capacities. The maximum read speed of 260 MB per second[3] and the maximum write speed of 240MB per second in the 32 GB cards and the maximum read speed of 145MB per second and the maximum write speed of 130MB per second in the 64 GB cards, are all the fastest transfer rates in the industry.

Compared to Toshiba’s current 32GB microSD UHS-I cards[4], the write speed is improved approximately 8 times, while the read speed is improved approximately 2.7 times. The faster transfer speeds can contribute to shortening the time it takes to download large data movie and music files to smartphones and tablets. It will also allow camera users to shoot digital still images continuously at high speed.

In recent years, with the development of high-function smartphones and tablets, the trend is towards higher resolution photos and movies, and multi-function applications, leading to demand for larger external memory and faster transfer speeds. Looking to the future, Toshiba will continue to meet market demands by enhancing its line-up of UHS-II compliant microSD memory cards.