Msystems is preparing software infrastructure based on Windows Vista, Office System 2007 and Exchange Server 2007, as part of a Microsoft scheme to let customers try the new products before they are released and on existing hardware.

Part of the project has taken place within msystems itself and another part was implemented by the software integrator eWave Ltd. (Glil Yam, Israel). The project is set to provide software infrastructure for msystems' 820 employees in Israel and worldwide, and help with the merging of msystems and SanDisk.

But NAND flash memory is also a key element of the Vista operating system itself, through a feature called EMD for external memory device. This allows USB memory sticks to be used as main memory. The operating system works out what applications and data are most likely to be in use on a given day and at a given time and moves them into the external memory so that the user can stop and start with instant boot facilities. EMD is expected to provide a massive boost to demand for NAND flash memory as it will complement main memory in existing PCs that need a performance boost to run Vista (see Below).

Microsoft benefits because customers will not have to buy a new computer to upgrade to Vista and therefore will upgrade sooner. SanDisk and msystems benefit through demand for flash memory both in add on cards and for future PC designs.

The business ties between Microsoft, msystems and SanDisk are deep and long established. Msystems supplies memory chips to Microsoft's Xbox. SanDisk has already penetrated the MP3 market, while Microsoft launched its Zune brand, which combines portable media players, software and online music service. These facts, among others, have prompted an IDC analyst quoted in the Israeli newspaper TheMarker, to speculate that Microsoft, msystems and SanDisk might join forces to compete with Apple's iPod.

SanDisk recently completed the acquisition of msystems in an all stock transaction estimated to be worth $1.5 billion.

Vista OS set to drive NAND growth, says Samsung

URL: http://www.eetimes.eu/semi/180100087

LONDON — Vista, the next generation operating system from Microsoft Corp., is set to drive NAND flash memory sales in the personal computer, rapidly increasing demand for the non-volatile memory, according to Don Barnetson, associate director of flash memory marketing at Samsung Semiconductor USA.

The indicators are that despite the booming growth of NAND flash memory over the last few years — driven first by the digital still camera and then by MP3 audio players — it is about to driven yet higher, Barnetson said.

Samsung have been working with Microsoft and there are at least two features that Microsoft has built into the Vista operating system which will call for NAND flash memory use, Barnetson said. “2006 is going to be year that flash penetrates the PC,” Barnetson added.

The most significant route in the short term is a feature called EMD for external memory device. This allows USB memory sticks to be used as main memory. The operating system works out what applications and data you are most likely to be using on a given day and at a given time and moves them into the external memory so that the user can stop and start with instant boot facilities.

“Using USB flash drives allows users to decide how much memory they want and when.

So on a weekday Vista will put business applications and documents into the external memory, but on a Saturday morning if you like to play computer games, the operating system will learn that behavior and put games there ready for you, said Barnetson.

EMD will complement main memory in existing PCs that need a performance boost to run Vista.

It may seem inelegant, or even unwise, to have main memory sticking proud out of the computer, where it can be accidently knocked. But in time PC builders could change the physical form factor to an internal USB socket, Barnetson said. And in the meantime Microsoft expects to get a big bonus, that customers will not have to buy a whole new computer to upgrade to Vista and will therefore upgrade sooner.

Samsung believes that in a new computer DRAM is best suited for use as main memory. EMD primarily exists for the installed base Vista upgrade market.

The second route into the PC for NAND flash is through the hybrid hard disk drive, Barnetson said.

The two companies have been working together on the idea since 2003. The two companies exhibited a hybrid hard drive (HHD) with a 1-Gbit OneNAND flash memory buffer interface at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Seattle in April 2005.

The hybrid hard drive prototype uses the flash memory as both the write buffer and boot buffer allows the hybrid hard disk drive to cease spinning for large periods while the computer is on, with the computers processor provided with data from the non-volatile flash memory. Barnetson predicted that when commercially introduced hybrid hard drives would have a 2-Gbit OneNAND chip to provide 256-Mbytes of buffer memory.

Although Intel’s Viiv initiative and the Live! scheme of Advanced Micro Devices to introduce digital consumer multimedia boxes has also been touted as a stimulus for NAND memory sales Barnetson doesn’t think that will be so much inside the boxes, where DRAM may still be applicable, but in the medium of exchange between such units.

In the absence of secure home wireless internets Barnetson a digital rights management flash card would be the way to receive a video or set of songs and move them between living room, PC and cell phone, said Barnetson.

“A DVD quality video film compressed using MPEG-2, occupies in the 4-Gbyte range. But using MPEG-4 it comes down to the 1.5-Gyte range. Now a 1 or 2-Gbyte card costs less than $100 today — pricey. But in 2007 the normal scaling of geometry should bring it below $50 and it starts to be affordable,” he said.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced the development of a micro memory card with a 1-Gbyte density suitable for such applications earlier in February. Units are due to go on sale in the third quarter.