Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand products, has developed the industry’s first SD Memory Card with contactless smart card capabilities. Called smartSD Card, the new SD Memory Card combines the convenience of contactless data communication capabilities with large storage capacity and high security. The company will position the smartSD Card as key to realizing the "ubiquitous network society" and will strive to create new business opportunities not only in the device sector but also in the system and solution service sectors. Sample shipments of the smartSD Cards will commence in December 2004. Commercial shipments are expected to follow in the fall of 2005.