Eye-Fi Pro X2 8 GB Memory Card

The latest generation Eye-Fi Secure Digital (SD) memory card has been unveiled, and it looks even better than the original we reviewed last year. The 8GB Eye-Fi Pro X2 features bigger storage capacity, faster read/write speeds (Class 6 performance), speedier wireless photo uploading, and an increased 802.11n Wi-Fi range.

Powered by Eye-Fi's proprietary X2 engine, the Pro X2 also features a new Endless Memory mode. The mode allows the card to automatically make space available after photos and videos are uploaded. Previous models would upload all images in your camera, so you’d get lots of duplicates unless you kept track of what you previously uploaded or diligently deleted photos after uploading. Eye-Fi also includes the new desktop application Eye-Fi Center with the card. It will be available for download later this month.

Eye-Fi’s proprietary X2 engine makes possible both the larger memory capacity and faster read write/speeds (the Eye-Fi Pro had 4GB). Using the 802.11n Wi-Fi standard and a different antenna design are what allow the faster wireless uploads and increased Wi-Fi range ( the card still supports 802.11b and 802.11g standards).

As with the original card, the Eye-Fi Pro X2 can wirelessly upload JPEG and RAW images and videos from your digital camera to your computer and 25 different online photo and video sharing sites, like Flickr and Picasa. You can also create an ad hoc connection direct to your PC to wirelessly upload photos and videos if you don’t have a wireless router. As it uploads, the card geotags automatically your photos the location where the images were taken.

Cost and availability: List price is $149.99, available for pre-order on www.eye.fi and at online retailers such as Amazon.

"More and more we're seeing smart devices like the Eye-Fi card that enable a better user experience. With the volume of photos and videos that are taken every day, consumers want a fast, convenient way to get their images off their camera to their computer and the Web for further processing and sharing," according to InfoTrends' Alan Bullock. "Eye-Fi allows consumers to add these capabilities for far less than the cost of a wireless camera."