SUNDISK Introduces Industry’s First Standardized Credit-Card Sized Mass Storage Card
SAN FRANCISCO — October 20, 1992 — SUNDISK Corp. Tuesday introduced the industry's first credit-card-sized mass storage device — a 3 x 2-inch card that uses flash-memory technology that can hold more than 40,000 pages of information.
By offering such significant capacity in a tiny, removable mass storage card, SUNDISK has dramatically expanded the capabilities of mobile computers, such as notebooks, laptops, pen-based systems, hand-held systems and other portable personal information devices — all of which have been restricted in the past by less adequate mass storage systems.
SUNDISK cards can be used with any portable computer that uses a disk slot compliant with the industry standard for personal computer memory cards, including Hewlett-Packard Co.'s 95LX palmtop computer, NCR's 3170 pen-based computer, Toshiba T3300 notebook computer and Sharp's PC-3000 hand-held computer.
Recognizing the breadth of opportunity, executives from the Official Airlines Guide (OAG) and Navigation Technologies today announced their intention to provide their products on SUNDISK cards for use with mobile computers and personal information appliances.
OAG's airline guide — used by all of the 415 computerized reservation systems — is a major tool of the airline industry and a key reference for business travelers. Navigation Technologies' navigable database is a comprehensive collection of information on all major metropolitan areas and inter-city road networks.
''The SUNDISK mass storage card revolutionizes business, because for the first time busy executives can have the information they need when they need it from wherever they might be,'' said John Reimer, vice president of marketing for SUNDISK.
''SUNDISK's removable mass mass storage card is the single most effective and convenient media for storing information for mobile computers. These cards make portable units more dynamic tools,'' added Reimer.
The SUNDISK solid-state mass mass storage card is both a radical breakthrough in technology as well as a practical breakthrough for business. The technology optimizes flash memory for mass mass storage applications using a systems level approach. These patented design approaches allow SUNDISK to introduce the industry's first complete solid-state mass mass storage system on a card.
The cards offer all the mass storage benefits of traditional disk media, but solve the critical problems associated with portable devices, namely storing large amounts of information, withstanding abuse, and conserving power. These silicon disks represent the newest and most sophisticated format for storing information.
Because the cards are industry-standard, they can be used interchangeably among a wide range of systems including palmtop, pen-based, notebook and desktop machines. In addition, the card's innovative design lets them be used easily with existing systems as well as next-generation products.
The SDP Series cards boast superior data integrity compared to other media due to a controller which dynamically manages defects, and the cards do not require any batteries to retain data when power is turned off. SUNDISK's convenient credit-card size belies capacities of up to 40 Megabytes (40 MB).
As the market for pen-based, hand-held, notebooks and other intelligent personal appliances expands, the demand for durable, removable, compact, high-capacity, power-conserving mass storage devices increase as well. Industry observers predict that these mobile computing devices represent the fastest-growing segment of the PC market.
Market Information Research Corp. estimates that by 1997 total revenues for these devices, peripherals and services (excluding communications) will reach nearly $45 billion. Hand-held systems, a rapidly growing segment of the mobile computing market, are shipping over 1.5 million units in 1992, according to Dataquest.
SUNDISK sells its products to both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and to end users. OEMs, such as IBM and GRiD, are already SUNDISK business partners. SUNDISK's embedded mass storage solution is currently being used in IBM's ThinkPad pen-based computer system and GRiD's PalmPAD hand-held system. An OEM design kit is also available upon request.
SUNDISK currently offers end users a card targeted at HP95LX users through EduCalc, the leading distributor of HP95LX systems.
The SDP cards are available now in both 5-Volt (SDPL5 Series) and 5, 12-Volt (SDP Series) versions, in capacities of 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 Megabytes (MB) which range in retail price from $199 to $999. The 12V models are available in those same capacities as well as 15 MB and 20 MB capacities for $1,199 and $1,499 respectively. Optional software compression that doubles the card's mass storage capacity is available for an additional $40. OEMs should contact SUNDISK directly for pricing and availability.
SUNDISK Corp. designs, manufactures and markets solid-state mass storage systems using a unique systems integration approach with flash memory technology.
The four-year-old, privately held company's products are designed for use in mobile computing and other personal electronic devices. SUNDISK has raised over $27 million in venture financing, and has technology relationships with AT&T and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
CONTACT:
Copithorne & Bellows, San Francisco
David Schneider, 415/541-0873