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The SD Card Association (SDA) has approved the tiny TransFlash memory card format for its microSD format specification. Other than a new name, microSD and TransFlash cards are exactly the same.

Developed by flash memory specialist SandDisk, the world's smallest removable storage card is already used in over forty plus mobile handsets from several manufacturers.

"We welcome the adoption of microSD as the new industry standard for mobile devices," said Yoram Cedar an SDA board member and senior vice president of engineering and emerging markets at SanDisk. "History has proven that open standards benefit both consumers and manufacturers who prefer a single, broadly supported standard."

The full interoperability of the microSD with TransFlash means that the microSD card can be used immediately in the millions of phones that currently use TransFlash cards.

The format's popularity is due to the addition of digital audio and cameras to more and more handsets, as conventional memory cards are too big for particularly small feature phones and smartphones.

Owing to the ultra small size—15 x 11 x 1 mm— of microSD/TransFlash, it is not intended to be handled or removed on a frequent basis. Initial capacities ranged from 64 MB, 128 MB, or 256 MB.

SanDisk recently said it would release a 512 MB microSD card next month for $70, however. A 1 GB model should appear by the end of this year, with a 2 GB slated to follow sometime in 2006. The microSD/TransFlash memory card can be inserted into an adapter and used in other full-size SD-enabled devices.

"We expect a seamless transition from TransFlash to microSD and with future plans for 1 GB and 2 GB capacities, SanDisk plans to accelerate the momentum we have already generated," said SanDisk VP of consumer products marketing Wes Brewer.