Memory Stick is a removable flash memory card format, launched by Sony in October 1998 , and is also used in general to describe the whole family of Memory Sticks. In addition to the original Memory Stick, this family includes the Memory Stick PRO, a revision that allows greater maximum storage capacity and faster file transfer speeds; Memory Stick Duo, a small-form-factor version of the Memory Stick (including the PRO Duo); and the even smaller Memory Stick Micro (M2). In December 2006 Sony added the Memory Stick PRO-HG, a high speed variant of the PRO, to be used for high definition still and video cameras.

History

The original memory stick was available in sizes up to 128 MB, and a sub-version, Memory Stick Select allowed two banks of 128 MB selectable by a slider switch, essentially two cards squeezed into one. The largest capacity Memory Stick currently available is 16 GB which was unveiled at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. According to Sony, the Memory Stick PRO has a maximum potential size of 32 GB (Available 2009).

The Memory Stick has outlived most other flash memory formats, with a longevity comparable to CompactFlash and SD cards.

Applications

Typically, Memory Sticks are used as storage media for a portable device, in a form that can easily be removed for access by a personal computer. For example, Sony digital compact cameras use Memory Sticks for storing image files. With a Memory Stick-capable reader (typically a small box that connects via USB or some other serial connection), a user can copy the pictures taken with the Sony digital camera onto his or her computer. Sony uses and has used Memory Sticks in digital cameras, digital music players, PDAs, cellular phones, the PlayStation Portable (PSP), and in other devices, and the Sony VAIO line of personal computers has long included Memory Stick slots. The exception for now is the A100 DSLR camera which actually has a CompactFlash slot, although the new A700 DSLR camera is compatible with Compactflash and Memory Stick Pro Duo formats.

A special Memory Stick can be used by Sony's AIBO robot pet, to enable the use of Aiboware—software intended for use on AIBOs. The Sticks include a copy protection mechanism used by the robot, allowing users to write programs. These are referred to as programmable or programming Memory Sticks and are coloured pink. Only 8 MB and 16 MB versions are available.

The Duo and PRO Duo versions of Memory Stick are used with the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP), which when inserted into the Memory Stick Slot show saved game data, music, pictures, videos and games.

Formats and form factors

Memory Sticks include a wide range of actual formats, including three different form factors.