SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 14, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- SimpleTech, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEC), a designer, manufacturer and marketer of custom and open-standard memory and storage solutions, today announced the availability of miniSD and RS-MMC Flash memory cards designed to meet the demanding storage needs of the growing mobile phone and handheld device market.
"In the fourth quarter of 2004, 60 mobile phone models were released with flash card expansion slots, and the number is expected to exceed 160 by the same time next year," said Patrick Wilkison, managing director, marketing at SimpleTech. "Mobile phones are rapidly becoming more feature-rich and memory-intensive with the increasing adoption of applications including digital photography, digital music and GPS location services. Consumers have increasing needs for expanded storage in their handsets, and we are developing a line of high-capacity products that enable the usage of those advanced features."
According to research firm IDC, miniSD card shipments are expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 65.7 percent and RS-MMC shipment rates are expected to grow 123.5 percent through 2008.
SimpleTech's new line of miniSD and RS-MMC are both available in capacities from 128MB to 512MB. MiniSD and RS-MMC have the same functionality and features as standard cards, but are nearly half the size.
MiniSD and RS-MMC easily convert into standard SD and MMC cards with an adapter that SimpleTech includes for free. The small cards simply slip into the card adaptor to provide interoperability with existing SD and MMC card slots, adding functionality for digital still cameras, MP3 music players, digital camcorders and PDAs that use standard SD and MMC cards.
MiniSD and RS-MMC, like all of SimpleTech's Flash memory cards, come with a lifetime warranty backed by SimpleTech's reputation for quality and support.
FlashLink All-in-One Reader
SimpleTech today also announced the FlashLink All-in-One Reader, a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 multi-card reader/writer that enables enhanced interoperability for the growing mobile phone market. The FlashLink All-in-One Reader connects to a computer's USB 2.0 port and allows fast and easy transfer of data, images, and music from most memory cards to a personal computer. Files can be transferred from popular devices such as digital cameras, MP3 music players and PDAs.
The FlashLink All-in-One Reader offers transfer rates of up to 480Mb/sec and is backward compatible with USB 1.1. The reader requires no external A/C power and is mass storage compliant and hot-swappable. The portable compact unit simply plugs into any USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 port and is compatible with a PC or Macintosh.
The FlashLink All-in-One Reader is compatible with the most popular Flash card formats including miniSD, RS-MMC, SecureDigital, CompactFlash (Type I /II), MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro (4-bit Data Transfer), Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick MagicGate, SmartMedia, and IBM MicroDrive.
The FlashLink All-in-One Reader comes with a two-year warranty.
Availability
MiniSD and RS-MMC cards are currently available. Manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) for the miniSD products are $25.99 for the 128MB, $41.99 for the 256MB, and $72.99 for 512MB. MSRP for the RS-MMC is $24.99 for the 128MB, $40.99 for the 256MB and $71.99 for 512MB.
The FlashLink All-in-One Reader is expected to be available by the end of the month at an MSRP of $19.99.
MiniSD, RS-MMC cards and the FlashLink All-in-One Reader are available through handset and mobile phone distributors, TESSCO, Brightpoint, SED, as well as leading retailers.
About SimpleTech
SimpleTech, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets custom and open-standard memory and storage solutions. With headquarters in Santa Ana, California, the company offers a comprehensive line of more than 2,500 products and specializes in developing high performance and high-density memory modules, memory cards and storage products. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.simpletech.com.
Safe Harbor
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the performance of miniSD, RS-MMC Flash memory cards and the FlashLink All-in-One Reader. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are detailed under "Risk Factors" in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made from time to time by SimpleTech, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K. Other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include the following risks: MiniSD, RS-MMC cards and the FlashLink All-in-One Reader may not perform in the manner anticipated, customer demand for such products may not grow as projected and new technological advancements in the field might produce more competitive products. Also the price range and availability dates stated herein might change due to supply and demand or other unforeseen events. Finally, the research conducted by IDC and the growth expected might not materialize in the market. SimpleTech undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The SimpleTech company logo can be found at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1079