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Memory Stick Micro measures 15 x 12.5 x 1.2mm and has a theoretical maximum capacity of 32GB, although the manufacturers cannot yet confirm what storage sizes will be offered when the cards become available in the first half of 2006. Data transfer rates can go up to 160Mbps though that is dependent on the device

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in which it is being used.

The format includes an adapter so that the cards can be read in existing Memory Stick Pro slots and readers.

'The Memory Stick PRO format co-developed with Sony has become a highly successful product line for us due to its popularity with a wide range of consumer electronic products such as digital cameras and video game consoles,' said Dr Eli Harari, CEO of SanDisk, 'Sony and SanDisk recognise the rapidly growing market opportunity for memory cards with multimedia mobile phones, and are joining forces to develop the ultra-small Memory Stick Micro format to foster development of extremely compact multimedia mobile phones.'

More than 145 million Memory Sticks have been sold since the format made its debut in 1998 and the manufacturers believe it will have an increasing role to play as mobile phones acquire ever more video and audio capabilities.