SmartMedia Memory Card

The Smart Media Memory Card, fast & dependable removable storage

Smart Media, which was introduced in 1996, was one of the earliest forms of the flash type memory card to be produced. It is exceptionally thin, with a thickness of just 0.76mm. 

Having no built in controller, the Smart Media Memory Card depends on the controller of the host device to manage read and write operations to its data cells. However, Smart Media memory cards are an extremely reliable memory format with fast performance that is achieved with the incorporated Nand technology that they use. 

Smartmedia - Here to stay, or had its day?

Despite its compatibility with a wide range of consumer devices, these days fewer manufacturers are producing their electronics with a smart media card slot and are instead opting for other memory storage formats. Fuji and Olympus are two such companies which are now using the xD format in place of Smartmedia. 

With demand in decline, many technology experts now think that Smart Media memory is quite likely about to be laid to rest. The highest available capacity of this type of memory card currently stands at just 128MB! A tiny amount when compared to other formats, some of which are now produced with storage capabilities of more than 30 times as much. With this in mind,  it certainly looks like a possibility that production may be coming to an end. We'll keep you posted!

For the time being, smart media cards can still be purchased, so if you own a device that can only use this memory card format you would be well advised to buy now before it becomes difficult find a supplier.