Flash memory manufacturer SanDisk has launched a new range of flash memory devices it claims are its fastest ever.
The memory company has co-branded the devices with Italian motorcycle company Ducati. The SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition cards will be available in 4GB and 8GB capacities for the CompactFlash versions and 4GB in the SD Plus card. The SD Plus card comes with a snap-open connector to allow it to be plugged directly into a USB port.
Tanya Chuang, director of worldwide retail product marketing for the high performance imaging market at SanDisk said that the transfer speed of the new devices measured 45MB/sec for the CompactFlash cards and 20MB/sec for the SD Plus card.
"We have reached a new threshold of speed," she said. "The SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition CompactFlash card is twice as fast as the SanDisk Extreme III card and is 5MB faster than the new SanDisk Extreme IV card."
She said the flash drives will be especially useful for professional photographers in a work-flow environment.
The 4GB CompactFlash card will cost $164.99 (83), while the 8GB version will go for $314.99 (157). The 4GB SD Plus card will cost $129.99 (65). The devices should be available from next month, according to SanDisk.
