Sony Electronics introduced . Memory Stick with Memory Select Function incorporates multiple 128MB memory units on a single card designed to "separate their personal data into the individual memory units via a switch located on the back of the media." The card will be be initially available with a total capacity of 256MB (128MBx2) and will be available in April for about $160. Sony's new MagicGate Memory Stick Duo media is due in the Spring: "One-third the volume and half the weight of standard-size Memory Stick media, the new card was designed for use with smaller digital devices, including cellular phones and wearable portable audio players." It will be available in 64MB ($70) and 128MB ($110) capacities and will ship with an adapter.

Sony also announced its new Memory Stick PRO media in sizes up to 1GB. The new generation of memory cards offers an improved transfer speed of up to 160Mbps, support for real-time recording of data, and access control functions as well as MagicGate copyright protection technology for secure transfer and playback of commercial and copyrighted content. Memory Stick PRO media-enabled devices are expected to ship in spring 2003, while some devices currently in the market are able to accept the new format cards either natively or through a downloadable software patch. Memory Stick PRO media will be available at retail in April in 256MB ($190), 512MB ($440) and 1GB ($880) capacities.

by MacNN Staff