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

To: Derek C. who wrote (9259)	2/21/2000 12:43:00 PM
From: Ron C	Respond to of 60323

Aus & Thread: "Based on its product manual, Memory Stick has slower performance than both CF and SD." Could this be the reason behind the venture with Lexar? Incorporating the speed that Lexar "boasts" could put the Memory Stick into a favorable light with consumers. R

To: Derek C. who wrote (9259)	2/21/2000 1:29:00 PM
From: Ausdauer	Respond to of 60323

Derek, You stated... Memory Stick is a proprietary card. It is not possible to obtain its SPEC unless by paying a big sum of change and royalty to Sony. Based on its product manual, Memory Stick has slower performance than both CF and SD. I really see no utility in charging manufacturers/assemblers for Memory Stick specs unless Sony feels they have a lot to lose with respect to revenues on unit sales (aftermarket sales) of the chewing gum-like Memory Stick. My understanding of this situation is that Sony has no competencies in semiconductor manufacturing when it comes to high density flash memory or microcontrollers, let alone the intricate integration of both of these disciplines. In promulgating this competitive standard it seems that Sony is in a poor position to discuss partnerships with SanDisk or Toshiba. I am sure the JV would be happy to provide high density flash wafer to Sony for a price and participate in manufacturing if it is profitable. SanDisk is a class act and has always supported the notion of open standards. Likewise, I am sure they would consider participation in the Memory Stick standard as long as it did not divert engineering manpower or strain available raw product for CF and MMC/SDMC deliveries. Specifically I recall that Eli stated in the Fall of 1998 that... "We would be happy to wrap our flash chip in plastic for Sony." If the Toshiba/SanDisk JV has excess capacity it would not be unreasonable to expect some siphoning of production for the chewing gum-like Memory Stick. I remain perplexed by Sony's choice of Lexar Media as a partner given their dependence on Toshiba and Samsung for flash wafer and the pending litigation with SanDisk. There must be much more than meets the eye. Ausdauer *SanDisk...Simply Unforgettable.*