A multimedia card, or MMC, is a small, flash-based storage device that allows portable devices to store memory. While SD cards and CompactFlash cards used to be the standard for portable digital devices, multimedia cards are more resilient to damage and are also much smaller. MMC cards are about the size of a postal stamp and connect to portable devices via metal connectors rather than the pins and plugs used by SD cards and CompactFlash cards. MMC cards should not be confused with SIM cards, but can be used to store personal information about the user, such as contacts or memos.
Applications
Multimedia cards have been used since 2002 for a wide variety of applications and can now be seen in most portable devices. For example, multimedia cards can be used in cell phones, PDAs, media players, e-readers, digital cameras, smartphones, laptops, and tablet computers. Virtually any portable device that is capable of accessing stored files or the Internet can use a multimedia card to store information for the user. Additionally, a multimedia card can either be built into a portable device for basic storage of contact information and other files or be purchased separately and used in the device for additional storage capacity for a wide variety of files.
Where To Find A Multimedia Card
Multimedia cards can be purchased at most computer and office supply stores, such as Best Buy and Staples. Consumers may also find multimedia cards online at websites such as NewEgg.com, Amazon, or MemoryX. Generally, any store that sells flash-based memory cards, USB drives, or external hard drives will carry multimedia cards.
How To Know If A Multimedia Card Needs To Be Replaced
While multimedia cards have been known to stop working on occasion, it is very rare for a multimedia card to need to be replaced. While the hard drive of a portable device may stop working properly after a one-foot fall, multimedia cards can sustain a ten-foot fall and be fine. However, multimedia cards are electronic and are therefore susceptible to water damage as well as physical damage from being strained or snapped. If you notice that your portable device is no longer able to store as much data as it used to, data is lost or corrupted, or the portable device is no longer able to locate the multimedia card, you may want to consider purchasing a new multimedia card.
