Transcend Information, Inc., a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, today announced the expansion of its flash card product line with the introduction of high-capacity 400X CompactFlash cards with capacities ranging up to 64 GB. The new 400X CF cards also feature high-speed transfer rates up to 90 MB/s read and 60 MB/s write, ensuring maximum performance when used with today's high resolution imaging equipment.

With storage capacities ranging from 16GB to an enormous 64GB, Transcend's 400X CF cards allow digital camera users to take thousands of photos at a time without the inconvenience of switching cards. The 64GB 400X CF card, for instance, can capture more than 13,000 still images (with a 10 megapixel camera) and record over three hours of Full HD video (1920x1080 at 38.6Mbps), allowing users of digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLR) and HD video camcorders to take full advantage of their high-resolution equipment.

Lexar Media, a leading global provider of memory products for digital media, today announced it will offer the Lexar Professional 600x CompactFlash (CF) card, a new memory card that provides enhanced speed and performance for professional photographers and advanced photo enthusiasts capturing high-definition images and videos on digital SLRs. The Lexar Professional 600x CF memory card will offer increased speed and performance, with a guaranteed minimum sustained write speed capability of 600x (90MB/s) when paired with a UDMA 6 enabled device. In addition, the Lexar Professional 600x CF memory card increases workflow with minimum sustained read speeds of 533x (80MB/s), or faster when paired with a UDMA 6-enabled reader such as the new Lexar Professional ExpressCard CompactFlash Reader.

Available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities, the Lexar Professional 600x CF card will significantly improve in-camera performance by rapidly clearing a camera's buffer and making fast cameras even faster so photographers can keep shooting. In addition, increased image transfer speeds from card-to-computer will help reduce post-production time and enable shooters to focus on the business of photography. For additional information about the Lexar Professional 600x CF card or Lexar Professional ExpressCard CompactFlash reader, visit Lexar.

The rapid advances in computer processing technology has seen CPU and memory speeds outstrip that of conventional mechanical hard disks. This is why it is increasingly being replaced by newer Solid State Disk (SSD) technology. To meet the overclocking needs of high-level enthusiasts, Team Group Inc. has once again leveraged its extensive technical expertise to launch the all-new Xtreem SSD series. First in the series are the Xtreem G1 and Xtreem R-type. In addition to being quiet, light, energy-saving and shock resistant, the Xtreem G1 and R-type pushes SSD read speeds to a breath-taking 260MB/sec and write speeds to a respectable 180Mb/sec. Compared to thick, heavy conventional 7200RPM HDDs with a read speed of just 80MB/sec and write speed of just 60MB/sec, Team's Xtreem SSD is a Ferrari that easily pushes the edges of the speed envelope.

Micron Technology, today announced its high-density portfolio of block abstracted (BA) NAND flash memory for use in personal media players and other applications. Utilizing Micron's industry-leading 34nm process technology, BA NAND is a single-package solution-combining MLC NAND with a memory controller that eliminates the need for controllers/systems to undergo arduous re-designs in order to adopt successive generations of NAND.
Currently, most NAND flash memory host controllers are tasked with managing critical NAND functions such as block management and wear-leveling algorithms, and providing adequate error correction code (ECC) coverage to assure system reliability. However, because these features are becoming more advanced with every generation of NAND, designers are required to keep up with the latest innovations in order for their chipsets to properly manage NAND and assure reliable system operation.

Building on its leadership in multi-level cell (MLC) technology, SanDisk Corporation today announced that it will begin mass-production of the world's first high performance 4-bits-per-cell (X4) flash memory. Using 43-nanometer (nm) process technology, this breakthrough enables 64-gigabit (Gb) memory in a single die - the highest capacity in the industry and suitable for the most demanding storage applications. SanDisk has also produced an advanced X4 controller, which is necessary to effectively manage the complexities and performance requirements of X4 memory. The X4 memory chip combines with the X4 controller chip in a multi-chip package (MCP) to provide a complete, integrated and low-cost storage solution.

Spansion Inc., announced that its Japanese subsidiary, Spansion Japan Ltd., has entered into a proceeding under the Corporate Reorganization Law (Kaisha Kosei Ho) of Japan. Spansion Japan Ltd. voluntarily chose to enter the proceeding to obtain protection from its creditors while it continues its restructuring efforts. This action does not include any of Spansion's other subsidiaries or their operations outside of Japan.

Spansion Inc. does not expect the filing in Japan to materially affect its global operations. Spansion Japan Ltd. will continue its operations and intends to pay, in a timely manner, for all goods and services that it obtains after the date of filing.

Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., announced today it is shipping the first two products in its SSDNow line of solid-state drives (SSD) with the SSDNow E Series and SSDNow M Series. Kingston is targeting its SSDs to Fortune 1000 companies and select vertical markets. The SSDNow E Series is specifically designed for the enterprise server environment while the SSDNow M Series is built for the road warrior who demands ultimate performance from a notebook PC. The Kingston SSDNow E and M Series use Intel's solid-state drives, which are the best-performing drives on the market.

"We are thrilled to enter the solid-state drive market with our SSDNow E and M Series SSDs. The combination of the fastest SSDs in the world along with Kingston's tremendous distribution capabilities and legendary customer service will position us to succeed in this arena," said Mark Leathem, director of Flash business development, Kingston Digital. "The performance capabilities of these first two offerings are off the charts and our enterprise customers will be very pleased to use them in servers and corporate laptop computers."

Samsung was hit on Monday by two separate patent infringement complaints issued from Spansion Inc., the world's No. 3 maker of flash memory chips by revenue. The complaints were filed with both the International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. District Court in Delaware. Sunnyvale-based Spansion claims that more than "one hundred million mp3 players, cell phones, digital cameras and other consumer electronic devices" are made with Samsung flash memory chips that violate Spansion patents. As a result, over $30 billion worth of Samsung products that contain patented Spansion technologies were sold over the past five years.
"Spansion has patents that are fundamental to flash memory. Samsung itself has cited these patents many times in its own patent filings, underscoring industry acceptance of the fundamental nature of Spansion's (intellectual property)," Robert Melendres, Spansion's executive vice president and general counsel, said in a statement.
Samsung defended itself, saying that it "forbids infringement and unauthorized use" of the intellectual property and "plans to respond actively to this litigation," according to Lee Eun-hee, a company spokeswoman. Spansion is now seeking for damages and for the court to ban sales in the U.S. of products with the affected Samsung chips.

Toshiba Corporation today announced that Toshiba and SanDisk have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding on the reallocation of wafer output and equipment ownership and funding at their two joint ventures producing NAND flash memory on 300 millimeter (mm) wafers at Toshiba's Yokkaichi Operations in Japan, in response to a proposal from SanDisk. The move is designed to enhance the production flexibility of NAND flash memory in line with the rapidly changing marketplace and to optimize each company's business strategies. The details will be set forth in definitive agreements.

Toshiba Corporation today announced the launch of 32GB embedded NAND flash memory modules that offer the largest density yet announced plus full compliance with the e-MMC(1) and eSD(2) standards. The embedded devices are designed for application in mobile digital consumer products, including mobile phones and video cameras. Samples will be available in September 2008, and mass production will start in the fourth quarter.

OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today announced the all-new Diesel USB 2.0 Flash drive that made waves at Computex earlier this month. OCZ's latest offering harnesses a sleek and compact design coupled with high capacities you wouldn't expect in such a small form factor. With reliability, affordability, and maximum storage capabilities, the OCZ Diesel is the affordable choice for students, professionals, and other on-the-go computer users.

Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has developed a new double tunneling layer technology applicable to future 10nm generation flash memories. This elemental technology opens the way for memory devices with densities of over 100 gigabits in the 10nm generation, which lies four generations ahead.

SanDisk, a company well known for developing and manufacturing flash-based storage solutions, is suing 25 companies including LG Electronics for allegedly infringing patents used in removable flash storage products such as MP3 players and USB flash drives. The company has filed two lawsuits, one for five patent infringements and the other for two patent infringements, as well as filing a complaint with the US International Trade Commission asking to have the companies being accused barred from exporting their products to the USA. Other companies involved include Buffalo, Apacer Technology and Kingston, and if the case is successful it could see a rise in the price of flash-based storage such as CompactFlash cards.

Ever since the first flash cards came out, it seems as though you have to switch memory storage mediums every time you get a new camera/digital device. Flash memory card manufacturers decided that this was no way to do business. Hence, Nokia announced today that it will be working with several business competitors to create one common format. Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Micron Technology, Spansion, MTMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments are now officially working on a new flash standard, to be standardized by the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association. The new system, which at this point will be called Universal Flash Storage (UFS), "aims to remove some of the confusion and need for adapters to accommodate the market's current cluster of memory card sizes." There is no word as to when we can expect to see actual UFS cards or adapters.

Toshiba has announced that its SD High Capacity is to be the first of its kind to reach 32 GB's. This is welcome news to enthusiasts who desire to expand the capacity of their digital cameras, mobile devices, camcorders, etc. Prices have yet to be announced, but best guesses put the 32 GB card in the $350 to $400 bracket. There will also be a 16 GB version probably priced around $200, as well as a 8 GB microSDHC card at around $100.

Nanosysa new company in the Flash Memory business seems to have found a way to make higher capacity flash memory. That is possible by using self-assembled metal nanocrystals which when added to the flash manufacturing process supposedly double the capacity of conventional chips. MIT's Technology Review stated that the crystals themselves are grown in a liquid solution and then spun onto silicon wafers which may not be an entirely new process but Nanosys has managed to come up with a chemical process that produces crystals which are more uniform in size and spacing than previous attempts by others. That's apparently been enough to attract the interest of Intel and Micron. Nanosys says that they could be putting the technology to use as soon as 2009.