SanDisk 2005 Annual Report Download - page 82

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•microSD. microSD is an ultra-small removable flash memory storage format designed for new mobile
phones that are compact yet fully-featured with storage-intensive multimedia applications such as digital
cameras, video capture and playback, digital audio players, video games, email and voicemail capabilities.
microSD is similar in size and function to embedded flash memory, but can also be readily removed and
upgraded to allow for a range of memory capacities as well as interoperability with other consumer
electronics devices. Capacities range from 128 megabytes to 1 gigabyte.
•Memory Stick PRO/Memory Stick PRO Duo. Co-developed with Sony, the Memory Stick PRO product
line is sold in capacities ranging from 64 megabytes to 4 gigabytes, depending on the format, and is used in
digital cameras, digital video camcorders, mobile phones and televisions. Memory Stick PRO and Memory
Stick PRO Duo offer substantially improved performance in higher write speeds and capacity, as compared
with the original Memory Stick line of products, as well as built-in MagicGate
TM
copyright protection. All
products in our Memory Stick PRO product line meet the minimum standard performance of 15 megabits per
second for high-resolution recording of moving images.
•Cruzer»USB Flash Drives. Our Cruzer USB flash drives are available in capacities ranging from
32 megabytes to 4 gigabytes. Our Cruzers allow users to transfer data files between any device with a
USB port. Cruzers offer a high-speed, compact replacement for the floppy disk or other removable media. In
addition to our standard Cruzer family, our Cruzer Titanium USB flash drive family is targeted at high-end
users. Cruzer Titanium is an extremely rugged USB flash drive made from titanium and other metals. In
conjunction with M-Systems, Inc., or M-Systems, we developed the U3
TM
platform for USB drives, which is
designed for on-the-go computing.
•XD-Picture Card. In 2003, we began selling the xD-Picture Card format under arrangements with
Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., or Olympus, and Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., or Fuji. The xD-Picture Card
allows for rapid data transfer, is ultra compact and is compatible with all xD cameras. The xD-Picture Card is
available in capacities ranging from 64 megabytes to 1 gigabyte.
•Sansa Digital Audio Music Player. In late fiscal 2004, we began selling Sansa digital audio music players.
These very small flash-based MP3 devices allow consumers to download songs and listen to the radio. Our
flagship line offers a removable card slot for easy transportability of the music between devices and for
expansion of storage capacity. Sansa is available in capacities ranging from 256 megabytes to 6 gigabytes.
•Gaming Cards. In 2005, we began selling SD and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards into the gaming market.
These cards allow consumers to store game scores and levels, turn on advanced features in gaming devices,
and listen to audio or watch movies in portable gaming devices such as the Sony PlayStation»Portable.
Technology. Since our inception, we have focused our research, development and standardization efforts on
developing highly reliable, high-performance, small form factor and cost-effective flash memory storage products
to address a variety of emerging markets. We have been actively involved in all aspects of this development,
including flash memory process development, chip design, controller development and system-level integration to
ensure the creation of fully-integrated, broadly interoperable products that are compatible with both existing and
newly developed system platforms. We believe our core technical competencies are in:
• high-density flash memory process, device design and reliability;
• controller design;
• system-level integration;
• compact packaging; and
• low-cost system testing.
We have also initiated, defined and developed standards to meet new market needs and to promote wide
acceptance of the standards through interoperability and ease-of-use.
To achieve compatibility with various electronic platforms regardless of the host processors or operating
systems used, we developed new capabilities in flash memory chip design and created intelligent controllers. We
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Annual Report