Memory card readers aren’t exactly the most exciting peripherals in the world, and they certainly won’t send the whole tech journalist community into a frenzy whenever a new model is announced. Things could very well change in the future with SanDisk’s new ImageMate All-In-One memory card reader that offers increased efficiency and faster data transfer rates, all crammed into a form factor that’s pleasing to the eye. The ImageMate All-In-One readers have already begun to ship to retailers in North America, so if you’re on the lookout, chances are you will be able to pick one up at a good store near you.

The new SanDisk ImageMate All-In-One readers are faster, smaller and sleeker than their predecessors, and they will come with upgraded software applications that further enhance their usability. Most of our readers will just want to know the juicy details concerning performance before they read about anything else, so here goes. The new ImageMate All-In-One reader is able to transfer data between a wide range of memory card formats and a host computer at speeds of up to 34MB/s when using a SanDisk Extreme IV 45MB/s CompactFlash card, while the new Multi-Card reader can touch 30MB/s read and 27 MB/s write data transfer rates with a SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC card popped inside. Both models will come with a stylish glossy black and metallic silver design, alongside a detachable tripod base for instant portability.

Digital content is transferred not only through the tried and tested drag-and-drop method, but it can also be done via a transfer button that will automatically launch a user-defined application or web site. Pressing the reader’s button will open up a designated application (ranging from Adobe Photoshop to a flickr.com account or others) where the user is able to transfer or edit photos from there. SanDisk has even updated the ImageMate software bundle so that users can take advantage of the advanced features of both readers. Virtually every industry-standard memory card format currently available (SD, SDHC, miniSDHC, microSDHC, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro Duo, xD and CompactFlash) is supported, and you can even insert multiple cards for card-to-card data transfers. A blue LED light indicates activity at that point, and you can pick up the whole shebang for $29.99. As for the Multi-Card reader, it is $10 cheaper.

Press Release