e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[CAL_LAW]

A few days ago, we mentioned that a new storage format had been announced by UTMA. Now we know that it's called FISH memory. FISH stands for Flash Internal Semiconductor Hard-drives. It works using the USB 2.0 communication standard. Data transfers will occur at speeds up to d60 MB/sec (480Mb/sec).

The cards will be small - just over 3 cm by just over 1 cm by about .50 cm. And a 'Baby Fish' format promises to be even smaller. But they will apparently be very rugged in their water-resistant metal cases.

Capacity will start at 2GB today but go up to 4GB by the end of the year. UTMA expects to hit 16GB next year!

We haven't seen any pricing information yet and it remains to be seen whether the market is ready for yet another format. Expect the FISH in stores in the first half of 2004 with devices such as cameras and audio equipment around Christmas 2004.