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Gadgets Sony Introduces Yet Another Flash Memory Format
Brandon Hill (Blog) - February 7, 2006 12:01 AM

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40 comment(s) - last by MScrip.. on Feb 10 at 11:19 AM

Sony Memory Stick Micro - Courtesy Sony Europe

As if we didn't have enough Micro and Mini cards running around, Sony introduces Memory Stick Micro

When will the madness stop? SD, MMC, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, miniSD, microSD/TransFlash, etc, etc. The formats just keep on coming with no signs of consolidation. Sony looks to add yet another standard to the mix with Memory Stick Micro (M2). M2 will launch in capacities of 256MB, 512MB (available in March) and 1GB (available in May):

The 'M2' media is approximately one-quarter the volume of 'Memory Stick PRO Duo' media, yet only about 1.2mm thick. 'M2' media is designed as an externally removable media with a controlled eject function to prevent users losing the media. Following the trend of mobile phones which operate at 1.8 volts, the 'M2' has been designed as dual-voltage media. In addition to 1.8 volt support, the media offers 3.3 volt operation which is required for existing 'Memory Stick PRO' compatible products.

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By Brainonska511 on 2/7/2006 12:05:34 AM , Rating: 2

hooray for proprietary parts.

RE: .

By Alexvrb on 2/7/2006 12:12:02 AM , Rating: 3

Ah yes, but you're forgetting that Proprietary is the Standard for Sony.

*throws away all current memory card readers*

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RE: .

By NFS4 on 2/7/2006 12:14:51 AM , Rating: 5

So are we going to need a MS Micro adapter to plug into a MS Duo adapter to plug into a MS Pro card to use in our card readers? :D

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RE: .

By ted61 on 2/7/2006 12:26:17 AM , Rating: 2

If it were only so easy as buying a reader to adapt to the reader that will read the reader.

I don't buy any sony memory items because of the readers. When I bought a new camera, sony was not in the picture because of the special memory card requirements.

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RE: .

By ninjit on 2/7/2006 12:30:40 AM , Rating: 2

Ditto here too.

I HATE memory stick stuff.
same with xD Picture cards (who beside Olympus uses them??)
I would have bought a digital Stylus camera immediately (because of shock/water/sand resistance) if it wasn't for the stupid xD picture card format.

Two is all we need:
SD/MMC (since they are essentially the same) for small devices, and Compact flash for larger storage needs.

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RE: .

By geeg on 2/7/2006 1:30:33 AM , Rating: 2

EVERYONE HATES SONY.

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RE: .

By GoatMonkey on 2/7/2006 8:17:53 AM , Rating: 2

Except for the PS2/PS3 where everyone loves Sony.

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RE: .

By mindless1 on 2/7/2006 7:51:44 PM , Rating: 2

Hardly

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RE: .

By flarsson on 2/7/2006 7:21:45 AM , Rating: 2

Well, Fuji also use XD-cards for their Cameras.

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RE: .

By Creig on 2/7/2006 8:10:35 AM , Rating: 5

Same here. I started passing on Sony products when they released the Memorystick and I'll continue to pass on them until Sony starts using standard formats. This formfactor appears to offer the consumer ZERO advantages over mini-SD. Until Sony quits trying to force their proprietary "standards" on everybody else I'll continue to buy products from other companies and will pass that recommendation along to others.

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RE: .

By killerroach on 2/7/2006 12:56:03 PM , Rating: 1

Boy, that makes little sense, if any... you only noticed the proprietary stuff at the time of the Memory Stick? Sony's been going their own way on stuff for as long as they've been around...

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RE: .Im getting an idea!

By Xenoterranos on 2/7/2006 12:27:38 AM , Rating: 3

Don't buy it! HA! GENIUS!
Don't buy phones that use it.
Don't buy anything that uses it.
BRILLIANT!

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RE: .

By slashbinslashbash on 2/7/2006 4:09:43 PM , Rating: 1

Actually, Sony has used a fair number of non-proprietary standards in their digicams. They started out with those huge old Mavicas that used standard 1.4MB 3.5" floppy disks. Later (I think they still make these?) they had cameras with mini CD burners, the media for which would work in any CD/DVD drive.

So I wouldn't say that Sony's standard MO is proprietary. They came out with Memory Stick pretty early in the flash memory game.... I think it was around before SD/xD at least. Anyway, once they came out with Memory Stick (which is a pretty good name IMO) they decided to stick with the name if not the format. Anyway, I can't say that I blame them, and at least their proprietary format is competitively-priced with the standard formats.

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RE: .

By Rock Hydra on 2/7/2006 1:25:52 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
hooray for proprietary parts.

Yeah, no kidding. =/
Friggin memory stick.

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Why so many?

By MScrip on 2/7/06, Rating: 0

By MScrip on 2/7/2006 1:55:35 PM , Rating: 0

Why are there 13 different flash memory cards anyway? You can hardly blame Sony. They invented to Memory Stick, sold a hell of a lot of Cybershot cameras, then introduced MS Duo, a derivative of thier original Memory Stick. Now with their M2, Sony is charged with having 3 flash card formats.

So, what about the other 13? Why are there so many cards in the first place?

I have to admit... my first digital camera was a 1.3MP Sony Cybershot, with a whopping 128mb card. My current camera is a Cybershot, but I didn't base my camera purchase on the card I already had... I just like Sony's cameras. I quickly bought a bigger card for my new 7.2MP camera.

If you buy an SD camera then your chances of buying another camera that uses SD memory will be high. But I've never heard anyone get pissed off by proprietary memory formats. Hell, any camera that use a single type of memory can be considered proprietary!

When you buy a camera you also buy a card... you buy whatever cards fit your camera. If you buy a phone that uses Transflash, then you by that card! No big deal!

In a perfect world, there would be Compact Flash for DSLRs, SD for every other camera and Memory Sticks for Sony cameras.

Do you complain about HP printers only using HP ink? Epson, Lexmark, etc? Dell is the most guilty of ink robbery... you get a free printer with your Dell but you can't buy Dell ink in the store. I agree ink is different, in that you run out of it... but memory cards last the life of the camera!

People scream proprietary on Sony all the time. But, Sony owners are happy. If you replace your digital camera every 2 years, you're gonna have to buy a bigger card anyway to keep up with higher megapixel pictures. Who cares if you have to switch formats? If I bought another brand of camera, I wouldn't be sad that my 128MB Memory Sticks wouldn't fit. I'd buy a bigger card anyway!

I've never felt "boxed in" by using Memory Sticks. I just buy Memory Sticks because that's what my camera uses. If I had an SD camera, I'd buy SD cards.

Normal consumers buy a camera and a single card. That's it... end of transaction. If you tell someone NOT to buy a Sony camera because of its proprietary memory format... that's bad advice. Sony cameras are great. Hear that? The camera is great, so you buy the card that fits it!

My camera is a Sony DSC-P200. 7.2MP, pocket-sized body. It's great. People see my photos and wonder what camera I use. I tell them. I don't feel guilty selling them a Sony camera. The pictures speak for themselves. My memory card will stay in the camera as long as I own it. No complaints here.

http://www.michaelscrip.com/tweetsie/

RE: Why so many?

By LyleS on 2/7/2006 5:12:08 PM , Rating: 2

Being stuck having to use a proprietary format is fine if that's the only format that you need.

I have a digital camcorder, a PDA, and a DVD player that all use SD cards. So when it comes time for me to buy a new digital camera, I will certainly be looking for one that also supports SD cards.

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RE: Why so many?

By creathir on 2/7/2006 5:12:35 PM , Rating: 2

Tweetsie!
I LOVED going there as a kid...
Good 'ol memories... Would go up to the family farm in N. Wilkesborough on Friday night, then spend all day on Saturday up at Tweetsie... That was my most favorite theme park... Even more so than Disney World...
Man I miss that place.
- Creathir

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RE: Why so many?

By MScrip on 2/10/2006 11:19:34 AM , Rating: 2

Yeah, I had fun clogging at Tweetsie last summer! We did five shows a day from June to September. I had a blast!

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RE: Why so many?

By Iconoclysm on 2/7/2006 5:17:23 PM , Rating: 2

Let's not forget MiniDisc, UMD, BluRay, and Betamax. The only reason Sony used CD based technology is because they invented it.

Yes, I hate that my printer uses proprietery ink. Yes, all of my devices use SD card so that I can swap them around whenever I want....that's the point of the memory being removable, isn't it?

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RE: Why so many?

By ronster on 2/8/2006 3:10:51 AM , Rating: 2

I thought Philips were the major company behind bringing CD to market?

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RE: Why so many?

By ninjit on 2/8/2006 8:10:33 PM , Rating: 2

The problem isn't the original Memory Stick.

Sony came up with that because they wanted a smaller memory card form factor than what was currently available (I think this was in late 1998, SD was introduced in early 1999 - they were bothed developed simulataneously.

But this? We already have mini and micro SD cards, there is absolutely no justification for this, other than Sony wanting royalties.

I like Sony products, but I HATE this aspect of it.

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Can't wait

By Scrogneugneu on 2/7/2006 1:20:22 AM , Rating: 2

I can't wait to see the ads for comps featuring "an all new 19-in-one card reader!".

Those are so ugly to look at, and nobody will use even half of the formats. Talking about a waste of time and money...

RE: Can't wait

By marvdmartian on 2/7/2006 9:07:48 AM , Rating: 2

Give them another 10 years, and Sony might stretch that to 25 or more! ;)

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RE: Can't wait

By Rock Hydra on 2/7/2006 1:26:50 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
I can't wait to see the ads for comps featuring "an all new 19-in-one card reader!".

And 15 out of 19 will be Sony memory formats.

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RE: Can't wait

By LyleS on 2/7/2006 4:58:49 PM , Rating: 3

Well, 19 card formats isn't very much. I have a 46-in-1 card reader that I bought about a year ago. It supports all of the following cards:

- CompactFlash Type I (CF-I)
- CompactFlash Type II (CF-II)
- Extreme CompactFlash
- Extreme III CompactFlash
- Ultra II CompactFlash
- High Speed CompactFlash
- XS- Xtreme Speed CompactFlash
- CompactFlash Elite Pro
- IBM MicroDrive
- Hitachi MicroDrive
- MagicStor
- SmartMedia Card (SMC)
- xD-Picture Card
- TransFlash (requires adapter)
- Memory Stick (MS)
- Memory Stick PRO (MS-PRO)
- Memory Stick Duo (MS-DUO)
- Memory Stick PRO Duo (MS-PRO DUO)
- High Speed Memory Stick PRO
- High Speed Memory Stick PRO Duo
- Memory Stick MagicGate
- Memory Stick MagicGate PRO
- Memory Stick MagicGate Duo
- Memory Stick MagicGate PRO Duo
- High Speed Memory Stick MagicGate PRO
- High Speed Memory Stick MagicGate PRO Duo
- Memory Stick Rom
- Memory Stick Select
- Extreme Memory Stick PRO
- Extreme III Memory Stick PRO
- Ultra II Memory Stick PRO
- Secure Digital (SD)
- MiniSD (requires adapter)
- Extreme Secure Digital
- Extreme III Secure Digital
- Ultra II Secure Digital
- Secure Digital Elite Pro
- MultiMediaCard (MMC)
- High Speed MultiMediaCard
- MultiMediaCard 4.0
- Reduced Size MultiMediaCard
- High Speed Reduced Size MultiMediaCard

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RE: Can't wait

By ninjit on 2/8/2006 7:57:27 PM , Rating: 2

Hmmmm, You need to step away from the keyboard...

I can't believe you took the time to write all that out, with correct spelling and capitalization to boot (kudoes on that btw).

But alas your attempt at humour falls short, because more than half of the things you mention are simply different brand names of products in the same format.

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RE:

By Masun on 2/7/2006 1:43:19 AM , Rating: 2

I love how small it is.. Good job sony! Make the **** so small we can't even pick it up! /sarcasm

RE:

By Lifted on 2/7/2006 3:42:56 AM , Rating: 2

I know I won't be happy until I can fit 1TB into flash the size of one of those Hitachi RFID chips.

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RE:

By DigitalFreak on 2/7/2006 8:29:04 AM , Rating: 2

That would be the Memory Stick Pico.

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Avoid...

By Chadder007 on 2/7/2006 8:44:21 AM , Rating: 2

Thanks, Ill try to avoid this new format in the future. :D

RE: Avoid...

By Jackyl on 2/7/2006 10:43:02 AM , Rating: 4

I will avoid it to like the plague! I bought a Kodak camera recently because they use standard SD cards. Fuji/Sony was out of the question with their properitary formats. I tell everyone to look for compact flash or SD when buying cameras.

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Is it really a standard?

By GoatMonkey on 2/7/2006 8:16:09 AM , Rating: 2

How is this a "standard" if only Sony uses it? It seems more like Sony's new proprietary memory that they are going to start using to force users of Sony products to buy memory again, and to get new buyers to buy only their memory.

RE: Is it really a standard?

By Evilkoala13 on 2/7/2006 12:46:32 PM , Rating: 2

well, other companies COULD use it if they wanted to....

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Sorry Sony Ericsson

By UNCjigga on 2/7/2006 12:52:47 AM , Rating: 2

There goes my desire to ever buy another Sony Ericsson phone...RIP my beloved old T616.

hey

By ronster on 2/7/2006 7:42:10 AM , Rating: 2

Standards are great, lets have lots and lots of them....

More memory!

By Clauzii on 2/7/2006 12:49:18 PM , Rating: 2

To me the format don´t matter - BUT I´d wish they would stick with the ´Human-Sized" ones, and just give them more memory instead of shrinking the physical size to the a fraction of visible!

What are they thinking?

By mindless1 on 2/7/2006 7:54:02 PM , Rating: 2

Does sony REALLY think consumers are going to like this nonsense? Sony you certainly seem to be doing everything possible to make sure I never buy one of your products, even if it were cheaper rather than more expensive.

original memory stick

By mikeabunch on 2/7/2006 11:20:41 PM , Rating: 2

i really liked the original memory stick and still use it int my sony devices. its big enough to hold on to but small enough to fit in any pocket or wallet or wherever. i got a sony digicam about 5 years ago that used memory stick, and when i bought palm device a couple years later, i bought a sony so i could use my memory sticks in it. unfortunately sony had to introduce new formats that enforced their drm, and then they didn't put memory stick support into their best product, the ps2. i'm pretty ticked about the whole thing, especially considering how cheap a 1 gig memory stick is now.

Memory Card Slot

By Readmorecommentless on 2/7/2006 10:16:24 PM , Rating: 1

I'm waiting for a human-implantable memory card reader that can be implanted just behind my ear, so I can upload books, music, (anything else) into my brain without having to physically read them.

~~

I take it memory stick "nano" won't be a format we will see anytime soon. Thanx Mr Jobs