Enda en minnekortstandard - USB FlashCard
Dette er akkurat hva verden trenger: en ny, proprietær minnekortstandard. Riktignok er ideen bak den nye minnekorttypen smart - ettersom den kan brukes på nær sagt alle verdens datamaskiner uten kortleser eller USB-kabel.
Ettersom minnekortet skal passe inn i USB-porten er det relativt tykt - omtrent like tykt som et CompactFlash-minnekort. Det er imidlertid langt smalere - omtrent som et MemoryStick. Til høyre er kortet vist sammen med en penny.
Minnekortene vil komme på markedet i 2005 i størrelser mellom 16 MB og 1 GB. De minste kortene vil kun leveres med USB 2.0 Full Speed (1.5 MB/s) hastighet, mens de større utgavene vil komme i USB 2.0 High Speed (60 MB/s) overføringshastighet.
Lexar har ikke gitt ut data om hvor raskt det går an å skrive og lese til minnekortene - båndbredden til USB vil neppe utnyttes fullt ut.
Mer informasjon finnes i pressemeldingen på neste side.
Pressemelding
Lexar Unveils New USB Card Form Factor and Introduces New USB FlashCard
FREMONT, CA, December 13, 2004 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced a new USB card form factor designed for universal and superior interoperability to bring next generation storage, connectivity and utility products to a broad variety of computing, consumer electronics and mobile electronics devices.
The new USB card form factor is based on the USB Type A connector as outlined in the Universal Serial Bus Specification. A mere 12 millimeters wide, 4.5 millimeters high and 31.75 millimeters long the card is no longer than the diameter of a penny. At half the width and a little more than twice the height, it is volumetrically similar to an SD card. The rugged, sturdy metal housing is intended to make the USB card suitable for use in a range of environments.
Lexar’s USB FlashCard will be the first product based on the new form factor. The USB FlashCard will offer universal plug and play connectivity with all modern operating systems leveraging the ubiquity of the USB interface. Lexar plans to introduce Full-Speed USB versions in 16MB, 32MB and 64MB capacities as well as Hi-Speed USB versions in 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB capacities with a high performance 60MB/s interface speed in 2005.
“Lexar’s USB FlashCard will offer unparalleled ease of use by leveraging the pervasive USB interface”, said Petro Estakhri, Chief Technology Officer, Lexar. “Moving forward, our intent is to leverage the open standard to create technology that is feature rich in terms of security, provides an easy interface and is built on an environmental design that meets general standards for almost all of today's computing, consumer and mobile electronics devices using non-volatile storage."
The USB FlashCard is designed to fit into any industry standard USB Type A socket. Lexar is working with connector manufacturers to offer an extended USB Type A socket to be used in consumer electronics devices and mobile applications such as digital still cameras and handheld computers. The USB FlashCard sockets would accommodate the USB FlashCard inside of a camera similar in use to other forms of flash memory cards.
“USB flash drives have seen a tremendous success as external flash based storage devices and are now the preferred medium of choice for a wide range of professional and consumer users for transferring data, “said Steffen Hellmold, General Manager of OEM Products, Lexar. “This new form factor enables the use of USB flash drives beyond computing applications, realizing the dream of connecting the worlds of computing, consumer and mobile applications through a universal USB FlashCard.”
About Lexar Media, Inc. Lexar is a leading marketer and manufacturer of flash memory cards, USB flash drives, card readers and ATA controller technology for the digital photography, consumer electronics, industrial and communications markets. The company holds over 78 issued or allowed controller and system patents, and licenses its technology to companies including Olympus, Samsung Electronics, SanDisk and Sony. For more information, please call 1-800-789-9418 or visit www.lexar.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements related to the benefits and availability of, and consumer demand for, Lexar’s products, including the USB FlashCard, and the growth opportunities available to Lexar. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. These risks include that the growth and success of our business depends on our ability to achieve and maintain technology leadership, and develop, sell and market products that are commercially accepted. Readers should also refer to the risk factors described in our filings with the SEC, including our most recently filed Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. We assume no obligation to update the information in this release
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