Flash Memory Card Manufacturers Working on Common Format

[zekrahminator]

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.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[jocksteeluk]

considering the lack of major names on that list i can see this new format not being a popular one.

 

[xylomn]

This is good, I am sick and tired of having all these different types of card that I can only use with one or two devices, standardisation should help bring the cost down too (not that they are really that expensive anyways)

 

[kakazza]

considering the lack of major names on that list i can see this new format not being a popular one.

What the fuck are you talking about? Samsung IS HUGE. And in some branches is world leading, so is Micron:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwide_Top_20_Semiconductor_Sales_Leaders#Ranking_for_year_2006

Note that that's only sales, not production or 'leadership'. I think Intel leads because of their chipsets/CPUs but Samsung is #1 with RAM afaik.

 

[jocksteeluk]

What the fuck are you talking about? Samsung IS HUGE. And in some branches is world leading, so is Micron:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwide_Top_20_Semiconductor_Sales_Leaders#Ranking_for_year_2006

Note that that's only sales, not production or 'leadership'. I think Intel leads because of their chipsets/CPUs but Samsung is #1 with RAM afaik.

do you really think three manufacturing companies making devices to use the new memory format is enough to make it an industry standard? this format is another Sony memory stick waiting to happen, secure digital is already the industry standard in Flash Memory with the vast majority of companies already producing devices using the format and a vast majority of memory companies producing compatible flash memory chips.

 

[wazzledoozle]

What's wrong with SD?

Companies like Sony and whoever makes xD need to pull their head out of the and get with the times. SD is everywhere.

 

[WarEagleAU]

About time. Not that the 50 in 1's arent nice, but Id like one format to rule them all!!!

 

[effmaster]

About time. Not that the 50 in 1's arent nice, but Id like one format to rule them all!!!

lol indeed


Also im surprised were actually seeing Sony working with a newer standard i thought that they were still trying to eff us up with their stupid memory stick cards and forcing PSP owners to only use that flash card format boy won't PSP owners be pissed in 3-4 years if theres still no PSP2 out yet and by that time this new card format replaces the memory stick pro duo cards lol no more memory cards for you

 

[OnBoard]

Compact flash was good, but no, they had to go smaller. SD would be good too (not that I own any), but common format would be great! Reason I haven't gone to a bigger card in my camera, is because no new digi uses compact flash anymore. Hope this works out and they don't make it stupidly small, so that it can grow in storage spaces for years to come.

 

[wazzledoozle]

High-end digital cameras generally still use CF.

 

[effmaster]

Compact Flash and SD (along with SD Micro) should pretty much be the reigning championsin my eyes