If you thought that Sony was done introducing new flash card formats - think again. Sony, together with SanDisk, is introducing the Sony Memory Stick Micro format which offers a smaller footprint while providing larger storage capacities than current Memory Stick models out on the market. The Micro version has a size of 15 x 12.5 x 1.2 mm with a theoretical maximum storage capacity of 32GB. However don't hold your breath on whether you'll see a 32GB card anytime soon. Transfer rates are decent coming in at 160Mbps.

Just how small is the new Memory Stick Micro? It's approximately 1/4 the size of the Memory Stick Pro DUO cards. If you're worried about possibly losing the small cards, Sony has designed the Memory Stick Micro to use an externally controlled eject function to prevent users from accidentally losing the cards. The new cards will be made available in the first half of 2006 with licensing options starting on Oct. 3, 2005. www.memorystick.org & www.sony.net.