Removable flash memory

Removable flash memory is portable storage that you can take out of one device and plug into another. The main forms are memory sticks (USB flash drives), SD cards and the smaller mini or micro-SD cards. It is physical media: the card or stick is the item that carries the files, so it is not a platform.

These cards and sticks are sold in many capacities, with 1 TB or more available. That is enough to carry a large collection of photos, audio or video. They are often used to store and share media files, such as photos taken on a camera, a portfolio of artwork to take to an interview or a video clip for a presentation. You copy files onto the card using a computer, then move it to another device or hand it to someone else.

Sharing without an internet connection

Removable flash memory is especially important when files have to be shared where there is no internet connection. For example, a geography field trip group could fill an SD card with photos and short videos on a camcorder, then take the card to a laptop back at school to review and edit them. No upload, download or account is needed. It also helps you give files to someone who is offline: you can pass them the stick or card directly.

Practical points

Its main practical advantage is that it is small and portable, and it does not need an internet connection to transfer files. A memory stick can fit in a pocket, and a micro-SD card is very small. The card or stick still needs a compatible slot or reader in the device, and it can be lost or damaged, so keep a backup. Even so, it is a simple physical way to move large media files between devices.