Sony and SanDisk Develop Memory Stick Micro (M2) Format

SanDisk Corporation and Sony Corporation are working together on the development of the Memory Stick Micro format, an ultra-small IC recording media designed to meet the storage needs of highly compact, multifunctional mobile phones. Licensing for the development of Memory Stick Micro compatible hardware will begin in October 2005.

The Memory Stick Micro media is approximately one-quarter the size of Memory Stick PRO Duo media, and only about 1.2 mm thick. The media's edges are slotted lengthwise to allow for more slim-line designed connectors to reduce space in host devices. As dual-voltage media, Memory Stick Micro supports devices operating at 3.3 volts and 1.8 volts.

Memory Stick Micro is designed as an externally removable media with a controlled eject function to prevent users losing the media. Users will be able to insert Memory Stick Micro into an adapter for exchanging data to a Memory Stick PRO compatible product.

The Memory Stick Micro media will be made available in the first half of 2006, with a theoretical maximum capacity of 32GB (gigabytes) and transfer rate of 160Mbps.