Rover Can’t Remember Nov 3, 2009
In , Spirit did not use its flash memory between Oct. 24 and Oct. 27 ... "If they are intermittent and infrequent, they are a nuisance that would set us back a day or two when they occur. If the condition becomes persistent or frequent, we will need to go to an alternate strategy that avoids depending on flash memory," Callas said. (Fox News)
Two times lucky Nov 2, 2009
Aside from the aesthetic changes, the PSP Go forgoes the UMD drive in favour of a 16GB of Flash memory module for storing games and other media. It also features Bluetooth 2. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Aspire Timeline 3810T: Acers marathon machine Nov 2, 2009
We initially thought this would be a major drawback but the advent of cheap Flash memory drives and the ability to run programs off them (you can even copy Windows 7 onto a bootable Flash drive) makes this omission not so serious. Still, if you are the type who likes to watch DVD movies, the lack of a disc drive (even an external one) in the bundle might put you off. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Mars rover Spirit has amnesia again Nov 1, 2009
In the latest event, Spirit did not use its flash memory between Oct. 24 and Oct. 27 ... "If they are intermittent and infrequent, they are a nuisance that would set us back a day or two when they occur. If the condition becomes persistent or frequent, we will need to go to an alternate strategy that avoids depending on flash memory," Callas said. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Samsung triples Q3 profit on better chip ASPs Oct 31, 2009
Spot prices for 16 Gb MLC NAND flash memory increased 9 percent quarter-on-quarter, Samsung said. Third-quarter revenue from Samsung's LCD Division was 6. (EETimes)
Silicon Motion Announces Third Quarter Results for the Period Ended September 30, 2009 Oct 30, 2009
Net sales of mobile storage products, which include flash memory card controllers, USB flash drive controllers, card reader controllers, SSD controllers, and embedded flash controllers, increased 27% from the second quarter of 2009 to US$14 ... Our mobile storage business is composed of microcontrollers used in NAND flash memory storage products such as flash memory cards, USB flash drives, SSDs, embedded flash applications, and card readers. (Primezone Releases)
* Macronix income at eight-year high Oct 30, 2009
Macronix supplies NOR flash memory chips to Kyoto-based Nintendo Co, which makes the Wii video game player ... Currently, the company commands four major research departments, providing market information and research in such fields as DRAM, NAND flash memory, PCs, display panels, light-emitting diodes (LED) and green energy. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Earnings roundup: More chip firms top estimates Oct 29, 2009
Flash memory vendor SST (Sunnyvale, Calif ... "Seasonally strong demand in NOR flash memory, as well as a stabilizing pricing environment, resulted in healthy sequential growth in unit shipments and improved product revenues across all four of our application segments," said Bing Yeh, SST CEO, in a statement. (EETimes)
See all LATEST News Oct 29, 2009
Researchers from Intel and flash memory joint venture partner Numonyx have demonstrated the ability to stack multiple layers of phase-change memory arrays within a single die. Tech Paper. (EETimes)
* Winbond posts smallest quarterly loss in nine months Oct 28, 2009
Winbond is diversifying away from the volatile computer chip business and focusing on supplying memory chips and flash memory chips for mobile phones, LCD TVs, networking and other consumer electronics. Last quarter, computer memory chips made up a smaller share, or 30 percent of Winbonds total revenues of NT$5. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Astaks way into the electronic book reader market? Its EZ Oct 27, 2009
Astak, whose parent company of San Jose is a $300 million seller of flash memory, security and surveillance products, came to the e-book market in a roundabout way. One of Team Research s factories in China was manufacturing an e-book to be sold in Europe, but the company had no idea how to sell it in the U.S. market, said Bob Barry, Astak s business development manager for North America. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
* ANALYSIS: Government revamp of chip market dead in the water Oct 26, 2009
The company said it planned to accelerate its diversification into flash memory chipmaking by forming Taiwan Flash Co (TFC, xW{Oq) and was confident in securing the funds because it had developed flash memory manufacturing technologies with the assistance of Japans Renesas Technology Corp several years ago ... 5 billion investment from the government to develop TFC into a flash memory designer. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Nook may rewrite e-reader market Oct 25, 2009
The Nook, which one analyst is already calling a "game changer," will use 2GB of flash memory and promises to store 1,500 books, magazines and newspapers. It will display text on a 6-inch e-ink screen, with a smaller color touch screen below for online shopping, navigation and control. (San Francisco Chronicle)
* Business Briefs Oct 24, 2009
Prices for NAND flash memory chips rose 4 percent. UK recession longest ever Britains economy contracted unexpectedly in the third quarter of this year, squashing hopes of an end to the downturn and instead making the current recession the longest on record, official data showed yesterday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
SanDisk Loses U.S. Trade Commission Ruling Over Flash Memory Chip Patents Oct 24, 2009
The case is In the Matter of Certain Flash Memory Controllers, Drives, Memory Cards and Media Players and Products Containing Same, 337-619, U.S. International Trade Commission (Washington). To contact the reporter on this story: in Washington at. (Bloomberg -- US)
Hynix Records First Net Profit in 2 Years on Chips Oct 23, 2009
Prices for NAND flash memory chips rose 4 percent. Hynix is the world's second-largest manufacturer of DRAM chips, used mostly in personal computers, and ranks No. 3 in NAND, used in digital devices such as cameras and music players. (ABC News -- Wire)
Stocks turn lower Oct 22, 2009
Some technology names rose after Yahoo Inc. and SanDisk Corp., a maker of flash memory cards, reported profits that topped analyst expectations after the close of trading Tuesday. Yahoo rose 49 cents, or 2. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Make a date with new PS3, PSP Go Oct 22, 2009
Meanwhile the PSP Go replaces the UMD drive of the original with 16GB of Flash memory to store a variety of digital entertainment content. It will be available in black and white. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Exporters to China, India rebounding faster Oct 21, 2009
Maker of flash memory cards used in consumer electronics devices recorded net income of $231 million, or 99 cents per share, compared with a loss of $166 million, or 74 cents, a year ago. UNITED AIRLINES: Lost $57 million during the quarter, or 39 cents per share, far better than the loss of 94 cents per share expected by analysts and much smaller than the $792 million loss last year. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Micron Unveils New Enterprise Flash Technology Oct 21, 2009
Micron bills its technology as the "highest endurance, highest capacity multi-level cell () and single-level cell () NAND flash memory designed specifically for enterprise applications.". Micron said its 34-nanometer process delivers a six-fold improvement in endurance for lower-cost MLC NAND to 30,000 write cycles and a three times improvement in endurance for SLC NAND to 300,000 write cycles. (EnterpriseStorageForum)
Nikkei 225 Average Falls as Chip-Gear Makers Retreat, Japan Airlines Gains Oct 21, 2009
the worlds second-biggest maker of flash memory chips, added 4 percent to 546 yen and was the biggest positive contributor to the Topix. CLSA Ltd. boosted the companys investment to buy from underperform, on the view that rising use of so-called smart phones will boost demand for the companys chips. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
* Powerchip submits application for funding Oct 21, 2009
Without consolidating any capacities owned by existing memory chipmakers, Powerchip said it planned to allocate part of its DRAM capacity for flash memory chips, which should be seen as a kind of consolidation, Tang said. The nations biggest computer memory chipmaker Nanya Technology Corp (n) and its joint venture with Micron Technology Inc, Inotera Memories Inc (), however, have decided not to seek government funding. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Asian Stocks Fall on China Mobile, China Telecom Profit; Samsung Declines Oct 21, 2009
CLSA raised its investment rating on the stock to buy from underperform, citing rebounding demand for flash memory. Japan Airlines jumped 6. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Toshiba Shares Advance on CLSA `Buy' Rating, SanDisk's Earnings Outlook Oct 21, 2009
CLSA raised its recommendation on Toshiba to buy from underperform, citing rebounding demand for flash memory, the chips that store data in mobile phones, digital cameras and portable music players ... Average of NAND flash memory chips more than doubled this year, trading 168 percent higher yesterday, according to Dramexchange Technology Inc., operator of Asias biggest spot market for semiconductors. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Asian stocks retreat on lower commodity prices Oct 21, 2009
Among stocks that rose today, Toshiba Corp., the worlds No. 2 maker of flash memory chips, gained 3 ... CLSA raised its investment rating on the stock to buy from underperform, citing rebounding demand for flash memory. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Wall Street Ends Lower on Profit Taking Oct 21, 2009
Flash memory maker SanDisk Corp also reported results after the bell that easily topped Wall Street's expectations. Its stock soared almost 10 percent in extended trading to $23. (ABC News -- Wire)
20 years later, experts predict bigger quake Oct 17, 2009
Other new technologies used for seismic monitoring and gathering more data from earthquakes include sophisticated network sensors with flash memory and microelectromechanical accelerometers. Beroza said earthquake prediction was the "holy grail of seismology," but even with advances in computers there is still no real breakthrough on that front. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Researchers Tout "Wimpy Nodes" for Net Oct 17, 2009
Low-End Processors, Flash Memory May Provide More Efficient Computing Option Than Larger Servers, Researchers Say ... This first-generation FAWN system has an array of boards, each with its own processor, flash memory card, and network connection ... In short, the researchers believe some work can be managed with lower expense and lower power consumption using a cluster of servers built with lower-end processors and flash memory than with a general-purpose server. (CBS News -- Sci/Tech)
BlackBerry unveils Storm smart phone Oct 16, 2009
2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording as well as 256 MB of Flash memory. Apart from an in-built GPS, this latest smart phone will also have 2 GB of memory which can be extended to 32 GB.. (India Times)
Ellison touts new products at Oracle OpenWorld Oct 16, 2009
Ellison said the Exadata Version 2, which is built by Sun, uses a combination of DRAM and Flash memory, data compression and 40-GB switches to pump up speeds to twice as fast as its predecessor. He said it was also a quarter of the cost of a similar IBM set-up, and four to five times as fast as competing data warehouse products. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Carnegie Mellon researchers save electricity with low-power processors and flash memory Oct 15, 2009
PITTSBURGHResearchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Intel Labs Pittsburgh (ILP) have combined low-power, embedded processors typically used in netbooks with flash memory to create a server architecture that is fast, but far more energy efficient for data-intensive applications than the systems now used by major Internet services ... Flash memory is significantly faster than hard disks and far cheaper than dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips, while consuming less power than either. (EurekAlert!)
Stocks Rise for Fifth Day; Steelmakers Lead Advance on Goldman's Outlook Oct 13, 2009
the worlds second-biggest maker of flash memory chips, advanced 3. 1 percent to 492 yen. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Samsung expects strong 3rd-quarter profit Oct 6, 2009
Samsung is the world's largest manufacturer of DRAM, or dynamic ransom access memory, chips, NAND flash memory chips, flat screen televisions and liquid crystal displays. The company is the world's second-largest maker of mobile phone handsets behind Finland's Nokia Corp.. (OregonLive, OR -- Business)
Netbooks Propel Global Semiconductor Sales Oct 4, 2009
Semiconductors like processors, and storage devices like flash memory go into devices such as PCs and cell phones. Semiconductor sales to the consumer electronics sector increased by about 28 percent in the third quarter compared to the second quarter, iSuppli said in a statement. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) go, the Newest Evolution in Handheld Entertainment, Available Today Oct 2, 2009
The PSPgo system is designed for the portable digital lifestyle, offering 16GB of internal flash memory to store plenty of games, videos, music, and photos. The system also offers expandable storage through a slot that fits a Memory Stick Micro(TM), an ultra-small card the size of a thumbnail with a current capacity of up to 16GB. The current PSP-3000 and the UMD format will continue to be available, providing consumers with the option to choose the PSP that's right for them. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Which chip makers will rule in 2018? Oct 2, 2009
Commodity devices, such as DRAM and flash memory, are dependent on economies of scale. The major memory companies need huge capital investment for their memory fabs, thus they generally do not have the resources to develop other product lines,'' he said. (EETimes)
Sony Upping Its Game Vs. Nintendo -- And Apple Oct 2, 2009
Sony's PSP Go plays downloadable games on internal flash memory. The games can be purchased online, including over Wi-Fi wireless connections, much like games for Apple's devices. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
SSD Makers Wrestle with Performance Degradation Oct 1, 2009
SSD technologies typically suffer significant performance degradation over time by as much as 50 percent or more as more data is written to the flash memory and as applications accessing the device vary the read-to-write ratio, said Greg Goelz, vice president of marketing at Pliant Technology. "This 'performance droop' causes big issues for mission-critical, -intensive data center and high-performance computing environments, which require consistent, predictable performance over time and across... (EnterpriseStorageForum)
Which game machine is right for you? Oct 1, 2009
It doesnt have a hard drive but instead has 512 megabytes of internal flash memory and has an SD card slot for external storage. You have to buy the SD card. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Zune HD Does Touch With Some Twists Oct 1, 2009
Now, Microsoft is back with the Zune HD, a slim flash memory device with a tapered, brushed aluminum back and a touchscreen that can respond to multi-finger gestures such as "pinching" to zoom out of a photo. Related. (ABC News)
Micron Q4 Beats Street, Investors Take Profits Sep 30, 2009
Sales of higher-end NAND flash memory increased 10 percent from the previous quarter on a 23 percent climb in volume. 1. (ABC News -- Wire)
* Smaller Semicon Taiwan offers more Sep 30, 2009
Taiwans flash memory companies must equip themselves with cost control and production -flexibility capabilities in order to survive in the face of strong competition, Macronix vice president Pan Wen-sen () said in the briefing. In Taipei trading yesterday, semiconductor-related stocks rose 4. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Books for the blind enter the digital age Sep 30, 2009
The NLS went to the next level, flash memory, but at the time it was too expensive. While the price slowly came down and the general public became acquainted with digitized data in other venues, the NLS accepted suggestions on what features a digital player and cartridges for the blind and physically handicapped should include. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Why Apple Should Put iTunes Inside Your TV Sep 30, 2009
Apple could build and design an iTunes module using a microprocessor designed by PA Semi, the chip company it acquired in 2008, and the other chips necessary to embed iTunes software directly into the TV. Throw in some flash memory for storage, a network interface for wireless and wired connections, and offer the whole package as an add-on to TV manufacturers. At this point you're probably thinking Apple is giving away more than it should. (BusinessWeek)
The Ups and Downs of Sony's PSP Go Sep 30, 2009
Upsides: The PSP Go is 16% lighter and 35% smaller than the PSP-3000, shares every feature with the latter save its screechy UMD drive, puts the thumb-nub in a much smarter position relative to your grip, adds Bluetooth support (rumored to exist in older model PSPs, but disabled), and packs 16GB of internal flash memory out of the box. Downsides: The PSP Go's 480x272 LCD is 3. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Samsung-Apple chip talks collapse Sep 26, 2009
Talks between Samsung Electronics and Apple Computer over a possible joint investment to produce NAND flash memory chips have broken down. "Talks didn't proceed beyond the preliminary stages," Sungin Cho, a Samsung spokeswoman told AP.. (Yahoo News -- Semiconductors)
Melting memory chips in mass production Sep 26, 2009
As a result, other kinds of transistor-based memory, such as the flash memory currently installed in most mobile phones and mp3 players, were closer to the market ... Flash memory, and other solid-state memory, stores information as small regions of charge effectively a little cluster of electrons on a transistor ... Proponents hope that PCM could eventually take a substantial share of the flash memory market, worth more than $20 billion in 2008. (Scientific American)
Speedier DataTravelers from Kingston Sep 25, 2009
Power users, enterprise customers and everyday consumers wanted the ability of to store and move large files around faster as USB Flash drives have become more prevalent in everyday use, said Kingston APAC region Flash memory sales director Nathan Su in a press statement. The faster read and write speeds make the DataTraveler 410, which come in capacities up to 32GB, a good drive for high-definition photos, large documents, presentations, music, videos and other data. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
ESC Boston: Phase-change memory alters design boundaries, constraints Sep 24, 2009
Regardless of feature size, Hawk noted there is a cost floor for the two flash memory approaches due to their need for internal overhead for functions like charge pumps, error correction circuitry and I/O. In the case of NAND, he cited $2 as the floor, while it's around 50 cents for NOR. The production window must also be considered, where volume and cost overlap the peak of the production and cost-efficiency curve among memory vendors. Nevertheless, Hawk stressed that the next game-changer for... (EETimes)
How to Synchronize Your Data Sep 24, 2009
Advanced options let you specify the sync direction, manage deletions and conflicts, and it works flawlessly with flash memory and USB drives. The software is free for personal use, but business users must purchase a license ($29. (SmallBusinessComputing)
CEO: Datacenters moving in wrong direction Sep 24, 2009
To solve the problem, Schooner and others have recently rolled out a new class of data access appliances, based on flash memory. The Schooner family of appliances incorporate enterprise-class flash memory, based on SLC flash memory from Intel Corp. The systems also include multi-core processors, low-latency interconnect, and optimized data access and caching applications. (EETimes)
Orders rising for flash memory, HDD productS Sep 19, 2009
FLASH memory and hard disk drive (HDD) components manufacturers in Malaysia are expecting more orders next year due to new applications of flash memory and the growing popularity of the mobile segment. Index Diversified Sdn Bhd, the owner and producer of PenDrive brand of flash memory products, expects to raise monthly production of flash memory products to 250,000 to 300,000 units next year from 150,000 to 200,000 presently, according to managing director C.H. Low ... Besides digital cameras... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
HP DreamScreen Turns Picture Frame Into Computer Sep 18, 2009
The device has two gigabytes of built-in memory for storing media, and content can also be read from a USB drive or several types of flash memory cards. Files can be streamed wirelessly by dragging and dropping on the virtual desktop of a networked PC.. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
HP Announces New Line of Wireless Connected Screens with HP DreamScreen Sep 17, 2009
Digital content can be loaded and played using a USB drive or most types of flash memory cards ... In addition to viewing images from a PC, flash memory card or Facebook, customers also can access their own or their friends photos and albums. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Elegant new Zune HD may be a little late to the game Sep 17, 2009
The base model Zune HD sells for $220, compared with $199 for a basic iPod Touch, but the Zune offers 16 gigabytes of flash memory, where the Touch has eight. Ever think you d see a device from Microsoft that would make the Touch look fat and clunky. (Boston Globe)
* [ TECHNOLOGY ] Time to get serious about SSDs Sep 17, 2009
Instead of the spinning magnetic platters found in traditional hard drives, SSDs contain a type of nonvolatile flash memory. Unlike traditional computer memory, this flash memory does not lose its contents when the power is turned off. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
New Pioneer CDJ Digital Turntables Bring the Art of DJing to New Heights Sep 17, 2009
The new CDJ players provide the same legendary quality standards and playability of the CDJ-1000/800 with the added convenience of native playback of key digital media file formats accessed through a multitude of compatible media, whether its on CD, DVD, portable hard drive or flash memory device. In addition, both models are HID compatible with todays top DJ performance software, making these players the natural selection for any performance DJ.. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
* A-Data looking to boost presence in Indian marketplace Sep 16, 2009
A-Data is the worlds second-largest memory module maker and the worlds fourth-biggest Flash memory supplier, according to iSuppli and Gartners tallies. This story has been viewed 295 times. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Numonyx regains top spot in NOR flash Sep 16, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO Numonyx B.V. jumped back into the No. 1 position among NOR flash memory vendors in the second quarter, taking advantage of problems at chief rival Spansion Inc., according to market research firm iSuppli Corp. ... "During the past five years, Spansion and Numonyx have fought tooth and nail for the No. 1 position in the NOR flash memory market, each alternating in the top spot several times over," said Michael Yang, senior analyst for storage and mobile memory at iSuppli, in a... (EETimes)
Intel Corp.combines divisions and its alters management Sep 15, 2009
Bob Baker, who runs Intel's NAND flash memory business and also is based in Chandler, will report to Bryant. Doug Davis, who leads the company's embedded and communications group from Chandler, now reports to executive vice presidents Sean Maloney and Dadi Perlmutter, who are co-managing the new architecture group in Santa Clara. (AZCentral -- Business)
SDSC dashes forward with new flash memory computer system Sep 15, 2009
2 teraflops (TF), it has several unique properties, including the first use of flash memory technology in an HPC system, using Intel High-Performance SATA Solid-State Drives. Four of its nodes are specially configured as I/O nodes each serving up 1 terabyte (TB) of flash memory to any other node, courtesy of new I/O controllers also developed by Intel Corporation and integrated by Appro International, Inc. (One terabyte equals one trillion bytes of storage capacity) ... In its current... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Graphitic Memory: Advances Bring Graphite As Storage Medium A Step Closer Sep 14, 2009
The process appears to be indefinitely repeatable, which provides addressable ones and zeroes, just like today's flash memory devices but at a much denser scale. Graphite's other advantages were detailed in Tour's earlier work: the ability to operate with as little as three volts, an astoundingly high on/off ratio (the amount of juice a circuit holds when it s on, as opposed to off) and the need for only two terminals instead of three, which eliminates a lot of circuitry. (Science Daily)
Harmonic Converges On Three-Screen Video Sep 11, 2009
Also under the MediaPrism umbrella, Harmonic is introducing the ProStream 5000 file-based universal transcoder, which uses flash memory to transcode up to 16 video assets simultaneously. The ProStream 5000 supports a variety of formats, including Microsoft Silverlight, Apple's adaptive HTTP Live Streaming and Adobe Flash, in addition to mobile video formats and existing broadcast TV and video-on-demand services. (Multichannel News)
CIA invests in Intel spinoff GainSpan Sep 11, 2009
11 radio, media access controller (MAC), baseband processor, on-chip flash memory and SRAM, and an applications processor in a single package. Free Subscription to EE Times. (EETimes)
* Macronix projects strong sales this month Sep 9, 2009
Local memory chipmaker Macronix International Co (ql) yesterday raised its outlook for the current quarter, saying revenues could grow 40 percent quarter-on-quarter as demand for flash memory chips used in TVs and notebook computers rebounded at a faster-than--expected rate ... The main growth area will come from NOR flash memory ... NOR flash memory chips accounted for more than half of the chipmakers revenues of NT$5. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
