New Memory Sticks

[KevinBarrett]

I think it comes down to phoenetics and the number of syllables. "S-D" is much easier to say than "Mem-o-ry-stick" just like "Blue Ray" is much easier to say than "H-D-D-V-D." I'll say Sony learned their lesson on that one.

[Dr. Harout]

I think it comes down to phoenetics and the number of syllables. "S-D" is much easier to say than "Mem-o-ry-stick" just like "Blue Ray" is much easier to say than "H-D-D-V-D." I'll say Sony learned their lesson on that one.

It should be rather S-D and M-S, when M-S is much easier to pronounce.

[PhotoTraveler]

It may have been a cost factor, but remember, it wasn't just a Sony product, it was a Sandisk Product too. So there is no Sony-Phobia to be had.

I think the main issue would have been timing. People were probably still very happy with CF, so they didn't feel the need, and when they were ready to think of something different, SD was out which was a bit newer.

In the end, I see no reason to like a Pannasonic-Sandisck creation over a Sony-Sandisk creation.

I really don't like the form factor of SD either. If MS had come out 1 year after SD, everything might have MS slots in it. Sometimes it's just a matter of Timing, or if you have something new, you just don't make sense at that time.

Take the new Cfast spec. I think it will be DOA. It's not compatible with CF stuff. I think what will happen is the same as always has happened. CF is still good, and doesn't create much of a reason to ditch it. And if you want to ditch it, you are either going to go small (SD), or go all out and put a SxS/ExpressCard memory card in your product. Why use CFAST which doesn't change in size, doesn't give you an inherent physical benefits, isn't reverse compatible, isn't widely used (problem of anything new), and isn't the fastest format out there. Use SD which is small, cheap and common or go to SxS which is faster, has massive storage capability, in devices now and has the benefit of being able to plug right into your laptop, which is ideal for those who use a product that CFast targets.

If CFAST came out say 2 years ago, before SxS, and before SD had got faster, maybe it would work out great.

So it all comes down to timing and luck. Luck just had to be part of why MS didn't win.

[A1000]

Beehind both MS and SxS was Sony. They teamed up w/Sandisc because Sandisc had the ability to make it happen. Sony made the same mistake with MS as it did w/Beta. Matsushita with their SD used the same strategy as w/VHS. Sony alredy licenced SxS to JVC, but they are again trying to keep it more or less a propriatory video format, used in the future even for highest end video - where they currently use tape. It is unnecessarily too large for still camera applications.

[PhotoTraveler]

It's big, but not bad. It could be installed up through the bottom just like the batter with no issue. Further they could design their cameras so when you add the vertical grip it plugs into both the battery and express card slot and the grip then has say 2 slots in it, so people with a grip get more capacity or backup. Or you use that second slot for a wifi transmitter or some such. This would also eliminate a whole door on the camera.

It's the size it is because the build it around a nice standardized form factor. They could potentially make a shorter version of it, but then how would you install and remove it from a laptop. It would need some fold out bit you flip out before inserting.

[jcoffin]

I think it comes down to phoenetics and the number of syllables. "S-D" is much easier to say than "Mem-o-ry-stick" just like "Blue Ray" is much easier to say than "H-D-D-V-D." I'll say Sony learned their lesson on that one.

Yes, but "Beta" was easier to pronounce than "VHS", so it's not foolproof. Oh, for what it's worth, it's officially "Blu-Ray Disc", with no 'e'.

[KevinBarrett]

True, and I should have qualified that: Phoenetics can contribute to the enhanced marketability of a format. I also think Sony's "blue" branded high-def DVD packages simply looked more attractive than the musty looking red ones. I don't guess that sort of thing comes into play at all with the memory sticks, though.