To all:
FLSHF(M-systems) just made a huge announcement tosay also, giving NORRF
and SNDK some more trouble.
Here it is:
M-Systems Receives U.S. Patent For Its Award-Winning Diskonchip
TEL AVIV--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 1996--M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers Ltd.
(NASDAQ: FLSHF) today announced it has received a patent from the U.S. Patent Office for
the DiskOnChip product. The DiskOnChip is a miniature electronic disk that combines flash disk
functionality with an embedded BIOS (Basic Input / Output System - a component existing in
each PC) in one standard package chip. In 1995 EDN magazine cited DiskOnChip as 1994's
most innovative product for embedded systems.
"DiskOnChip represents the innovation and efficiency of M-Systems' technology," stated Dana
Gross, president of M-Systems Inc. "This award-winning product has found applications in
embedded computer systems, where it provides a highly reliable solution for designs faced with
space and power consumption constraints."
The DiskOnChip provides 1 to 2 Mbytes of data storage. Higher capacities will be available
towards the end of this year. The DiskOnChip is fully compatible with DOS and other operating
systems, and is pin-to-pin compatible with the BIOS chip.
The DiskOnChip saves space by adding electronic disk functionality to the BIOS chip that is
already present in every PC, making it the smallest electronic disk in the world. Furthermore,
M-Systems' patented TrueFFS software enables the DiskOnChip to fully emulate a hard disk in a
way that is transparent to the user. TrueFFS is the leading implementation of the Flash Translation
Layer (FTL), the industry standard for flash file management which is supported by Intel and other
Flash vendors. TrueFFS is fully compatible with DOS, Windows 3.x and 95, DR-DOS, GEOS,
QNX, pSOS, and other operating systems.
M-SYSTEMS FLASH DISK PIONEERS develops, manufactures and markets a new
generation of data storage solutions based on Flash memory. EUROM FLASHWARE
SOLUTIONS, its subsidiary, is developing proprietary, advanced and highly-integrated
components for use in voice recording and playback in portable applications, including cellular
phones, organizers, and PDAs.
(END)
To be honest with you all, I think NORRF is a little fish trying to swim
with the big boys. Sure they have good product but they have no
signed agreements with anyone compared to SNDK and FLSHF. If you
think the Flash OS is their ace in the hole, you could be making a mistake.
Remember, FLSHF has developed an OS and they already have singed with some
rather big companies such as INTEL, MOTOROLA, and NOKIA.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. In fact, I'm
just trying to keep some eyes out there open.
David Chin |
