AT&T to Windows Phone 7 Users: Don't Touch That MicroSD Card
AT&T to Windows Phone 7 Users: Don't Touch That MicroSD Card
Posted 11/12/2010 at 3:26pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
6
Comments
Print
There was a lot of confusion about Windows Phone 7's microSD card support approaching the launch. Most phones do not have a slot, and some of those that do are not accessible. One notable exception is the Samsung Focus on AT&T, which gives users easy access to the card. Now Engadget has gotten word that AT&T is recommending that people not try to swap in a bigger card, or risk degrading performance.
The problem is in the way Windows Phone 7 uses that extra space. It is merged with the internal NAND flash memory to create one data store. So a card that isn't up to snuff could bring things to a messy halt. AT&T says that cards will be available in the future that are "Certified for Windows Phone 7". They have also cautioned that the speed class rating is not the only determining factor.
Microsoft was aware of this issue prior to the launch, but for some reason AT&T is only getting around to telling customers now. Do you have a Samsung Focus? Have you successfully swapped the microSD card?
Image via Intomobile
More like this
6
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
DerfMcWoowoo
November 15, 2010 at 10:23am
Yes, I have a Samsung Focus. Yes, I installed my own 8GB microSD card and now have 16GB of memory. I had to look at the quick start guide to figure out what to do. I remember it consisting of pressing and holding the power, volume down, and camera button for like 15 seconds. I was then prompted about formatting the card and losing all the data on it.
In the end, though, it worked like a charm.
_Jono_
November 13, 2010 at 1:33pm
So apparently Microsoft's argument holds a little bit of weight and the microSD companies are to blame. At least in the case of Kingston. Check this article out for more details:
h t t p ://tinyurl . com/yk2hjoz
Also, there are a few reports on which microSD cards seem to work and oddly enough higher speed ratings dont mean a better experience. In many cases quite the opposite. The best high capacity microSD card out there in terms of consistency and reliability seems to be the class 2 SanDisk 32GB microSD. Did not figure that. This is where I got my info -
h t t p : / / tinyurl . com / 2gx7s6z
Danthrax66
November 12, 2010 at 4:14pm
Bullshit, they use class4 micro sd cards in phones just get a class 6-10 and you should be good. At&t = full of shit.
Slugbait
November 15, 2010 at 3:03pm
Incident count is skyrocketing out of control. Many of the people who wake up to just 15MB of storage are using Class 6 or higher, or they're using a 32G card...this also mean complete loss of data. Fortunately, other people only suffer performance degradation. It fully depends on which card you put in the phone.
Besides, everybody knows a SanDisk Class 2 will outperform a Kingston Class 4.
biosc1
November 13, 2010 at 11:38am
Absolutely agree. This is another example of a company trying to (or wanting to) sell a "certified" product that is actually the same as the cheap product you can pick up from Monoprice or other retail outlet.
"Wait...don't touch that...because...urmm...serious side effect...chaos...you know."
_Jono_
November 13, 2010 at 5:36am
yea.. but do you know who makes a class 6 32GB microSD? Sandisk doesn't even make a class 4 version. The highest rating I've seen for a 32GB microSD card is class 4 from Kingston. Could someone enlighten us on what they could possibly mean by the speed rating not being the only determining factor?
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Original RickRoll Video Returns to YouTube After 24-Hour Copyright Hiatus http://t.co/MaH9Sxyy18 hours 48 min ago
- maximumpc: Corsair has decided not to go forward with its $78 million IPO, citing weak equity market conditions http://t.co/A5a4DAzj18 hours 57 min ago
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E2 days 16 hours ago
