NEW ORLEANS, March 13 — The SD Card Association (SDA) announced plans to finalize specifications for a new, super-compact memory card this Spring. The microSD(TM) card, expected to be the world’s smallest memory card and measuring just 11mm x 15mm x 1mm, will be completely compatible with SanDisk(R) Corporation’s TransFlash(TM) format. The microSD card offers the advantages of removability and SD compatibility for use with a host of SD- and miniSD(TM)-enabled products.

SanDisk TransFlash has been widely adopted by key handset manufacturers around the world. The microSD card is supported by the more than 800 members of the SD Association and can be used immediately in the millions of handsets that currently use TransFlash. SanDisk plans to transition its TransFlash line to the microSD standard in Q3 2005.

“The microSD card was designed specifically for the wireless communications market,” said Ray Creech, president of SDA. “With mobile phones now offering built-in, high-resolution camera functions, content downloading capabilities, compatibility with PC data, and more sophisticated applications, there is a clear need for removable memory cards that support these capabilities. The microSD card meets all the wireless applications requirements for size, speed, performance, inter-operability and security.”

America Online, Inc. has quietly updated the terms of service for its AIM instant messaging application, making several changes that is sure to raise the hackles of Internet privacy advocates.

The revamped terms of service, which apply only to users who downloaded the free AIM software on or after Feb. 5, 2004, gives AOL the right to “reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote” all content distributed across the chat network by users.

“You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the content or to be compensated for any such uses,” according to the AIM terms-of-service.

Although the user will retain ownership of the content passed through the AIM network, the terms give AOL ownership of “all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this [user] content.

“In addition, by posting content on an AIM Product, you grant AOL, its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, agents and licensees the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote this content in any medium,” it added.

Source: eWeek