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It seems like every time you turn around a new capacity standard is set for in the world of mobile expansion. Case in point: SanDisk's planned release later this month of the first 8GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) card, which offers twice as much storage as today’s highest-capacity M2.

That's an iPhone-like amount of memory in a card measuring a mere 15 × 12.5 × 1.2 milimiters. And, unlike with Apple's iPhone, this storage can be shared between people and devices. Got two? Then you've doubled the capacity of the iPhone, which, by the way, has no memory card slot of its own and therefore cannot be expanded.

Sony developed and released the first Memory Stick way back in 1998. So, it should come as no surprise when SandDisk says the 8GB M2 cards are designed primarily for Sony Ericsson mobile phones. Its Walkman feature phones and smartphones are some of the most successful music orientated mobile handsets on the market today.

SanDisk introduced its M2 line of storage expansion cards early this year. The lowest-capacity available today is a 512MB model for $19.99.

Although SanDisk won't reveal how much the 8GB M2s will cost, a representative says it won't be more than a couple of hundred dollars. SanDisk currently lists its 4GB M2 cards for $99.99.