Eye-Fi Expands X2 Lineup

(Photo Credit: Eye-Fi)

Eye-Fi announced two new SDHC-sized memory cards with faster read/write speeds and an “endless memory mode,” and the same 802.11n wireless networking available on previous Eye-Fi cards. The Eye-Fi Connect X2 has 4GB and will sell for $49. The Explore X2 comes with 8GB and a lifetime geo-tagging feature for $99.

The new Eye-Fi cards boast Class 6 read-write speeds, which guarantee at least 6MB/second transfers. Eye-Fi claims that this is faster than its first-generation classic cards, but hasn’t disclosed the speed of those original cards.

The Connect X2 and Explore X2 feature an “endless memory mode” that deletes old files after they’ve been uploaded to a computer and online sharing service. Users can choose from up to 25 online sharing sites and can automatically upload images to them when connected to a wireless network.

According to the March 23 press release, automatic uploading can now be done from 21,000 hot spots around the United States. No computer or login is needed; the camera needs only to be turned on while in a hot spot – Starbucks included – for images and videos to automatically be loaded to an online sharing or social networking site. The hot spot service comes free with the Connect X2 and Explore X2 for one year; after that, the service costs $14.99/year. That service can be added to any existing Eye-Fi card as well.

The Eye-Fi cards can transfer photos and videos to a home computer drive when a wireless network is present. The two new cards follow the Pro X2, which was announced a few months ago and retails for $149. It has all the bells and whistles of the Explore X2 with the addition of RAW file transfer.