Toshiba's new memory card can be read by simply touching it

Toshiba's new card packs a lot more than just memory.
Toshiba's new card packs a lot more than just memory.

You will now be able to read what's on a memory card simply by touching it, that's what Toshiba wants to achieve thanks to the introduction of a new family of memory cards.

These SDHC models are available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB flavours and adhere to the NFC Forum Type 3 Tag standard, offering data speeds of up to 0.2Mbps with a memory capacity of 256 bytes.

The technology is only compatible with NFC-capable Android smartphones and require an app called "memory card preview".

Once installed, hovering over the memory cards will allow you (and actually anyone) to preview available storage space as well as up to 16 thumbnails of any photos stored in the card.

Others might have hoped for a more useful feature like the ability to view a list of files available on the card.

Don't expect to be able to download or upload files though; not only would that would mean adding a power source to the card, but NFC doesn't offer enough bandwidth for any usable data transfer.

Toshiba has confirmed that the three cards will go on sale from February onwards but as yet to quote pricing.

Desire Athow
Managing Editor, TechRadar Pro

Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.