The FlashAir™ SD Card incorporates flash memory and can be used as a standard SD Memory Card for storing any kind of digital data.  It is fully compliant with the SD Card standards defined by the SD-Association.  In addition to that FlashAir™ includes a Wireless LAN chip set plus antenna for wireless communications.

By offering this Wireless LAN functionality, FlashAir™ provides the advantage of allowing access to the data stored on the SD Card without the need to remove the card or plug a cable to the device.  Simply connect the remote host by linking it to the Wireless LAN Access Point of the FlashAir™ SD Card, start a browser tool and all the data on the card can be read and transferred from the FlashAir™ SD Card to the remote host.  This basic functionality does not require any special driver or software installation on either side.  The Wireless LAN function transfers any type of data and can be secured with WPA2.

The FlashAir™ SD Card will create a Wireless LAN (WLAN) Access Point (AP).  Any other device which has a WLAN function (e.g. PC, Tablet, Smartphone) can connect to this AP and create a direct communication channel to the FlashAir™ SD Card inside the camera.  There is no need to remove the card or to plug a cable into the camera.  FlashAir™ includes a HTML Server function which allows easy access to all data stored on the card by simply using any kind of browser  on the remote Host (e.g. PC, Tablet, Smartphone).  Now you can see all pictures or movies taken by the camera inside the browser window.  You may decide to store a local copy of the files to the remote Host.

As soon as the FlashAir™ SD Card is powered up, it starts offering a Wireless LAN Access Point.  This can be easily identified by the receiving host by searching for new wireless networks.  The SSID named "flashair_xxxxxx" will appear as a connectable network and the receiving host can establish a direct connection to the FlashAir™ SD Card.

NOTE: By default the WPA2 security feature for the WLAN communication is enabled and requires entering an initial password.  This is by default: "12345678".  We strongly recommend changing this password.  The new password you enter needs to have at least 8 characters.

FlashAir™ SD Cards are delivered with an active WPA2 secured Wireless LAN channel.  The default password is "12345678".  We strongly recommend changing this password.  The new password you enter needs to have at least 8 characters.  Please read the manual inside the the FlashAir™ package for further details.

There are 2 options:

1. When you unpack the FlashAir™ SD Card the very first time, you may use it in the SD Card slot of your PC.  On the card you will find a small installation file which you can start and install the configuration tool for FlashAir™.  After launching the configuration tool, you will find the option in the Menu "Card Setting".  Here you can change the password and if you like also change the SSID name.  This password needs to have at least 8 characters.  If you delete the default password and do not enter a new password, the Wireless LAN channel of the FlashAir™ SD Card will not be secured anymore and anyone could connect to it's Access Point.
2. When you unpack the FlashAir™ SD Card the very first time you can immediately insert it into your camera and start taking pictures.  Connect a remote host via Wireless WLAN with the FlashAir™ access point.  Enter the default password of "12345678" and access the card with a browser using the address http://flashair/.  You can change the password and the SSID if needed using the menus.  The password needs to have at least 8 characters.  If you delete the default password and do not enter a new password, the WLAN channel of the FlashAir™ SD Card will not be secured anymore and anyone could connect to it's Access Point.

There are most likely 2 reasons for this:

1. The camera in which the FlashAir™ SD Card is inserted turned off automatically or went into Stand-By mode because it was not used for a certain time.  In this case the FlashAir™ SD Card does not get power from the camera anymore and the Wireless LAN turns off. 
   Solution: Check the settings of the camera and extend the time until the camera goes to stand-by or will turn off.
2. FlashAir™ has a time-out function.  If there was no Wireless LAN communication for a certain time, FlashAir™ will automatically turn off the Wireless LAN function to save power. 
   Solution: With the FlashAir™ configuration tool you can set the time until the Wireless LAN is turned off according to your preference.  The installation file for this tool is stored on every FlashAir™ SD Card by default and can be easily installed on your PC.

No, FlashAir™ offers an individual Access Point, so it will work independent from the presents of another Wireless LAN network.  Even outside a building you will be able to transmit the pictures to your host device right after you shoot them.

The only requirement to use the basic functions of FlashAir™ is that the camera needs to have an SDHC compatible slot.  SDHC means, that your camera can handle SD Cards with more than 2GB Capacity.  So if you have already used an SD Card with more than 2GB with your camera, the FlashAir™ SD Card will also function in your camera.

Yes, it is possible to transmit any kind of file format via Wireless LAN from the FlashAir™ SD Card to a remote Host.  It can be pictures, videos, text, machine code, presentation slides, music etc.

If the camera offers this feature by using enhanced commands for FlashAir™, this is possible.  But this depends on the camera manufacturer and how they adapt the FlashAir™ features in their camera software.  In future there we expect there will more and more cameras launched in the market supporting FlashAir™ advanced features in the camera menu system.  Toshiba cannot directly influence the implementation of those functions, but we are working in co-operation with camera manufacturers.

No, this is not needed.  Just directly connect to the FlashAir™ access point.

Yes, any Smartphone independent from the operating system can connect to FlashAir™.  It just requires a Wirless LAN function and a browser installed.

Toshiba plans to offer Apps for Android and iOS during second half of 2012. Other software vendors may also offer similar tools.  They will all be accessible in the app shops of the operating system vendor.

The release schedule will be announced by the camera manufacturer, not by Toshiba.  Several camera manufacturers are now considering the release of compatible devices.

Any device with an SDHC slot can potentially be used.

It depends on the neighbouring environment.  Wireless communication is possible at a distance of just a few centimetres and up to ten meters.

It depends on the neighbouring environment.

In normal case not, because FlashAir™ automatically searches for a free channel for communication, avoiding interfering with existing Wireless LAN access points.  Of course the number of Wireless LAN channels is limited to 12 channels, which means if there are many more Wireless LAN hotspots active in the same room, for example on fairs or in offices, this could limit the available free channels for FlashAir™.

No, this tools is optional and just makes it more easy for you to configure the FlashAir™ SD Card. So we recommend to use it, but is it not necessary for using the FlashAir™.

We are currently considering about this and will announce later in the year.

This depends on the sales strategy of our local distributors in your region.  As we do not sell FlashAir™ directly to shops, we cannot predict a dedicated time of sales start, nor in which shops it will appear first.  We recommend to regularly check for online announcements or offers of your local retailer.

NOTE:  If you are business customer please contact one of our qualified distributors in Europe.