09-08-2003, 08:45 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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The Emergence of SDIO Products
We've been waiting forever, but finally, things are starting to look up for SDIO. Last week, iGolf Technologies announced that they'll have a SDIO-based GPS solution available for both Palm and Pocket PC devices. Coincidentally, I got the toy on the left in the mail today. :mrgreen:
I'll give a detailed review of it later, but initial impressions imply it's similar to CF: you install the drivers, plug it in, and it works. I haven't had time to benchmark it or give you an idea of how it performs rangewise, but the fact is SDIO host devices are now prevalent and the peripherals are becoming available. This might be the beginning of a shift in handheld peripherals.
I do have one concern, and that surrounds the potential fragility of elongated SD solutions. While the Sandisk card feels very sturdy, the fact is that a lot of SD solutions will require something to "stick out" of the slot, whether it be a connector to interface to a device or an antenna, and the thinness might raise some concerns. Compare this to CF, which often has more space for a connector, and if anything sticks out it's thicker and sturdier. What do you think? Are you looking forward to more SDIO solutions, or are you planning to stick with CF for the time being?
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09-08-2003, 08:59 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 77
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I would be more excited about SDIO devices but since most PPCs come only with one SD slot, you have to trade one capability if you want to plug in the other. For example, I would want to use SD memory to hold the maps for GPS. So how can I pull out the mem SD and plug in the GPS receiver? I would like to plug in the 802.11 SD card but have to remove all my media files which are stored on the mem SD card. So, unless the PPC has two SD slots or a combination of SD and CF slots, it still makes since to have the 802.11 function built-in to the PDA itself.
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09-08-2003, 09:17 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 106
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All about me
I myself am and have been waiting for the Sandisk Wi-Fi SDIO memory card. This card is purported to have 802.11b, along with 256MB's of memory. This would mean I would only need to carry around one expansion card with me, and big plus. I wonder what the warranty says about accidental breakage. I'm sure some retailer out there is jumping to charge you 15% and insure it for 3 years.
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09-08-2003, 09:20 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 717
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I am a minimalist - I always try to carry as little gear as I can so for me it is a fully loaded PPC and then selected accesories if need be.
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09-08-2003, 09:22 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Spaceman
So, unless the PPC has two SD slots or a combination of SD and CF slots, it still makes since to have the 802.11 function built-in to the PDA itself.
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I think that will be the next step in the PPC evolutionary chain. As SDIO devices become more prevalent, I think it's only a matter of time before someone markets a dual-SD slot device. It makes sense as SDIO devices supposedly use up less battery and they. of course, take up less space.
I do understand Janak's concern though. That SanDisk WiFi SD card looks mighty long and thin. I wouldn't have the same confidence in its ability to withstand wear-and-tear as, say, my current Socket CF card.
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09-08-2003, 09:28 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 115
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After they release the 256 meg plus WiFi model they should go back and use the same components as that card in the WiFi only to make it smaller. I would never have something that fragile sticking out that much. Half as much would be ok, though. That thing is huge! :?
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09-08-2003, 09:39 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,911
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Someone needs to field test this puppy and see how it handles rough wear.
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09-08-2003, 09:44 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 51
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My concern is more in the area of what exactly constitutes "SDIO". Since the Toshiba line of PDA's have SDIO one would think that the Sandisk WiFi card would have not trouble with it and that is not the case. Are these SDIO expansion devices only going to work with a small subset of those PDA's that have SDIO?
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09-08-2003, 10:01 PM
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,878
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For now, I'll use the CF slot for the peripherals I have, and use the SD for storage. If I had no peripherals yet, I might want the SDIO cards. Then I would be concerned with how "sturdy" the cards were (or appeared to be)...
It appears as if there is an awful lot of card sticking out when that thing is inserted though...
Steve
__________________
"My eyes are rolling back in my head so far I can see my grey matter bubbling and frothing from reading this thread....bleh." JD
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09-08-2003, 10:19 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 123
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Some SD/SDIO ideas
Here are a list of creative ideas:
1. 1 GB SDIO card
2. 2 GB SDIO card
3. 3 GB SDIO card
4. 4 GB SDIO card
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