A-Data SD card transforms into USB dongle

The A-Data SD Duo Memory card is just a wonderfully simple and simply elegant idea. With the cap on, it's an SD card. Pop the end-cap off, though, and a USB connector is revealed, ready to be popped into any open port and be directly read without any middleman card readers. It comes in capacities of 2GB, 4GB and 8GB, with prices starting at $25.99.

A-Data SD Duo Memory Card [Giz Fever via Red Ferret]

[#1 posted by Anonymous , June 24, 2008 5:39 AM]

I like the sandisk version (http://sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1096)-SanDisk_Ultra_II_SD_and_SDHC_Plus_Cards.aspx) better because you're much less likely to lose the cap since it is attached. They actually have a little LED activity light built in as well

[#2 posted by strider_mt2k , June 24, 2008 6:10 AM]

I've had a Sandisk card that does this with a surprisingly robust swing-away flap for a few years now and it's a GREAT idea.

On our honeymoon across Pa. on Rt.6 it was very easy to offload our daily pictures and videos onto our laptop when we were down for the evening without needing cables and whatnot.

Class 2 isn't speedy though for 8GB, although arguably you might not need to offload it as often.
That appears to be the only down side, aside from the losable cap.

[#3 posted by BenSeese , June 24, 2008 7:21 AM]

If you like this idea, the Sandisk SD Plus cards are definitely the way to go.

*no cap to lose
*cheaper
*faster
*big brand name (if that's your thing)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=sandisk+plus&x=0&y=0

[#4 posted by lewisd , June 24, 2008 8:10 AM]

I recently had a co-worker who borrowed my camera for a few minutes attempt to put my USB/SD card into the camera backwards. The end cap got stuck in the camera, and in the process of getting it out, the "read-only" sensor thing in there was damaged, rendering my camera unable to take photos. I can view my photos on the LCD though! *eyeroll*
I would highly recommend staying away from the kind with the removable end cap. The Sandisk one sounds much better to me.

[#5 posted by John Brownlee , June 24, 2008 8:18 AM]

Thanks for pointing out the SanDisk model, guys. I honestly had no idea there were so many of these.

[#6 posted by Enochrewt , June 24, 2008 8:33 AM]

Neither did I, and I have to admit, it's a sexy concept. I may have to pick one up before I go to Yellowstone next week.

[#7 posted by ianm , June 24, 2008 8:49 AM]

This is cool, but I have this other one that has a hinge ... oh wait, everyone else already mentioned it :(

Just to pile on, the SANDisk hinged USB/SD is definitely one of the best tech purchases I've made in a long time - great concept! It makes transferring files between my PDA and desktop a no-brainer (it used to a pain when I had to get files from my SD to a friend's PC), great for getting large files (i.e Music) on to the SD, or excellent for quick sneakernet file transfers.

Highly recommended.

[#8 posted by CJ , June 25, 2008 3:38 AM]

Oddly, I just bought something that's the opposite of this. It's a micro sd card, with a mini (and normal) sd adapter, which plugs into a normal-looking usb flash drive.

[#9 posted by yohthere , June 25, 2008 4:19 AM]

Well, and then of course there is the eye.fi. SD card with Wifi uploader. No need for USB at all, hehe. http://www.eye.fi/

[#10 posted by rstevens , June 25, 2008 8:34 AM]

The San Disk one is *remarkable*. Have used it moderately heavily for months now, no damage.

[#11 posted by prunk , June 25, 2008 8:46 AM]

I have the kingston usb microSD card. Put that together with an SD card adapter and you get a fancy set that lets you take pictures on a camera and then transfer them with the dongle without any camera software installed.

[#12 posted by Philbert , June 26, 2008 1:07 AM]

I bought this for my phone:
http://www.slashgear.com/hands-on-live-photos-of-sandisks-tiny-huge-memory-card-8gb-microsdhc-278203.php

An 8 Gig micro SD card with a tiny USB thingy that dangles from my key chain. It helps me win small/large USB device contests every time.

[#13 posted by Anonymous , December 3, 2008 7:21 AM]

I would recommend the ocz trifecta. It has the dreaded cap, but it is a micro sd card in a sd card adapter with a usb connection. I can carry 200gb in a credit card sized case.

[#14 posted by Anonymous , March 17, 2009 9:54 AM]

Looks like they don't sell the SanDisk Ultra SD Plus cards anymore. The SanDisk site seems to have taken it off the product lineup and major sites like Amazon and Newegg have largely stopped carrying them. What happened?