The microSD Multi SD Kit aims to remove confusion for consumers and retailers in selecting the correct card for a mobile phone, because the kit supports all mobile phones with SD-based card slots. According to SanDisk research, 87% of the latest mobile phone models with card slots are designed for either microSD, miniSD or standard SD.

"Consumers, when shopping for memory cards, do not always know what type of SD slot is in their mobile phone. The microSD Multi SD Kit makes the purchasing decision a snap, because the card is guaranteed to fit - either directly through a microSD slot, or by using the adapters for miniSD or standard SD slots," says Jeff Kost, vice-president and GM of mobile consumer solutions for SanDisk.

"Retailers also get a break, because sales associates can focus on the benefits of added capacity rather than worrying about compatibility."

The kit aims to make it easy to enjoy music, photos, video clips and personal files on multiple devices. For example, a large video clip could be downloaded through a laptop computer and transferred to the microSD card using the kit's standard SD adapter. The microSD card could then be placed in a phone with either a miniSD or microSD slot.

The kit is also said to be compatible with personal electronics other than mobile phones, including SD digital cameras, as well as SanDisk's Sansa e200 series, Sansa Connect, Sansa Express, and Sansa c200 series of MP3 players. This flexibility makes it more likely consumers will use their portable devices, especially mobile phones, to enjoy music, photos and video, Kost says.

The microSD Multi SD Kit comes in three capacities: 512 MB, 1GB and 2GB. The product is available now in Japan. It will be available in the USA and Europe next month. Pricing in the USA and Europe has yet to be announced. The product may be sold under other names outside of Europe.