SanDisk today quietly confirmed the imminent launch of new capacities to its microSDHC and Memory Stick Micro (M2) lines. Both are doubling in capacity to 16GB and are targeted at cellphones and portable players that can use the format as their only or primary source of storage. The update gives the T-Mobile G1 as much potential storage as the iPhone and Nokia N96, while SanDisk's own Sansa View can hold as much as 48GB with the microSDHC option. Certain newer still cameras also support the format.

Expanding M2's capacity gives newer Sony Ericsson phones a similar boost.

While the speed of the M2 card is unknown, SanDisk rates the microSDHC variant at a minimum 2MB of data transfer per second and thus supplies it with enough speed for music as well as standard-definition video capture and playback. Either format of the 16GB storage will be available in October; the microSDHC version will sit above all 8GB prices and cost $100, while the M2 edition asks for a premium at $130. [via Gearlog]