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Technology Stocks : WDC/Sandisk Corporation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: AnnaInVA who wrote (7725)	10/17/1999 7:29:00 AM
From: John Stichnoth	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 60323

Before SI went dead for new posts, Ausdauer suggested a little technical analysis was in order of competitive products. Here's what a search on Memory Stick produced: [Specifications on the Memory Stick, from a site selling it-] sql.onecall.com Memory Stick Digital Data Storage. 8MB Storage Capacity. Ultra-Small, Thin Design. Erasure Prevention Switch. 10 Pin Connector for High Reliability. Ultra-Small, Thin Design Ideal for use in small digital AV electronics products, such as Sony Digital Handycam© camcorders, and digital still cameras. Erasure Prevention Switch Helps prevent stored data from being accidentally erased. Memory Stick Format Can be expanded to incorporate didgital copyright protection features for music and other protected content. Original Serial Protocol Ensures forward compatibility with higher capacity models to be developed in the future. 20mHZ Clock Speed. 1.5MB/sec. Write Speed. 2.45MB/sec Road Speed. Price $39.95 Memory Type: Flash Memory. Operating Voltage: 2.7V to 3.6V. Power Consumption Average: Approx. 45mA. Standby: Approx. 130uA. Access Speed Writing: Maximum 1.5 MB/second. Reading: Maximum 2.45 MB/second. Operating Environment: 0íC-60íC (non-condensing) Supplied Accessories: Memory Stick Storage Case. Label. Operating Instructions. Weight: Approx. (0.14 oz) Dimensions: Approx. (0.85 x 1.97 x 0.11 in) [Note: 32MB sold for $129.95] [A German site selling the Memory Stick. One concern (of course) is that Sony has so much more reach than SanDisk.] sony.de Courtesy Babelfish-- English: Again times succeeded developing a completely new storage medium: After computer diskette and MiniDisc© we present you today the " MEMORY Stick? "! Even ones times as largely as a chewing rubber strip - with lean four gram weight - he is a genuine representative of the digital age. More versatile and smaller than other data carriering, he stores more than tenfold of a 3,5"HD-Computer-Diskette nevertheless with up to 16 MB! With the multi-functional MEMORY Stick? begins a new era of multimedia entertainment electronics. [Sony's own product lineup gives them a critical mass of applications from which to sell the Memory Stick-] zdnet.co.uk Sony unveils Memory Stick companions Thu, 18 Feb 1999 13:47:57 GMT Reuters Latest News Index Similar story search Sony on Thursday took the wraps off a new family of products compatible with its ultra-compact memory device, the "Memory Stick." Sony said it would begin selling new VAIO series personal computers, photo printers and digital photo frames with Memory Stick slots later this month. Sony said its new digital photo printer will allow consumers to print photographs from a Memory Stick without using a computer. - Reuters [And another peripheral for the Memory Stick] akiba.giganet.net Introducing the Sony MSAC-FD1A Memory Stick/Floppy Adapter. Interface: 1.44 mb/3.5 inch Floppy Disk Drive OS support:Win95 & Win98 Power:Two lithium watch batteries (CR2016) 1.44mb/3.5 inch drive compatible: Now ANY computer with a floppy drive can read your Memory sticks Cableless connection: just use it as a normal floppy Package includes:Adapter itself, CD-ROM, two batteries (CR2016) Note: We will confirm flawless installation and use on English language OS installs before shipping this product for inquiries or ordering info contact sales@akiba.giganet.net the end [And another take on Sony licensing the Memory Stick to others (previously posted another news report of this) yougeek.com Sony licenses Memory Stick posted 7:26am EST Fri Oct 01 1999 NEWS Sony says it will license its Memory Stick technology to six other manufacturers. The manufacturers are Fujitsu, Aiwa, Sanyo, Sharp, Pioneer, and Kenwood. The memory stick is currently available in sizes up to 64 MB. Read more about the Memory Stick at Sony. ROB'S OPINION Looks like Sony's lining up the right people. Now, think about it. When you look into the future and wonder what you'll be carrying around in your pocket, can you picture a tiny optical disk, susceptible to scratches, or a mini hard drive that can break if treated poorly? Memory Stick seems like a good idea in some ways, especially if it can weave its way into a range of consumer devices. Does anyone want another interface? Not really. That is the trouble with Memory Stick. To make something like this work, you need to get PC makers, consumer electronics makers, and digital camera manufacturers together to make one technology win out. Why can't we stick with PCMCIA flash memory? The slots are already in laptops. Let's get them in PCs and my stereo and DVD player and I'd be happy. Reader Seth H wrote to us to let us know that even though Sony's Memory Stick area only lists 32 MB capacities, Sony has announced 64 MB Memory Sticks as well. Joel and I were both wondering about that one. Thanks.