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News

• Spintronic memory gets a breakthrough

  An international group of researchers has figured out how to encode information within the spin of an electron, a technique that may one day lead to smaller, faster memory for computers.

• Power glitch hits Toshiba's flash memory production line

  Toshiba could lose up to a fifth of the NAND flash memory chips it was making for delivery early next year, after a momentary power glitch caused its production line to halt. But the problem shouldn't have a long-term effect on chip prices, which could drop by more than half in 2011, according to analyst data.

• Semiconductor market to slow down next year

  Market research firms Gartner and IDC on Thursday said that worldwide semiconductor revenue will slow down next year, putting the brakes on the market's recovery this year from the recession.

• Samsung releases faster memory for smartphones, tablets

  Samsung on Thursday said it has developed a fast version of low-power memory that could help speed up applications in tablets and smartphones.

• DRAM prices to keep falling through the first half of 2011

  The price of DRAM, the main memory inside personal computers, will likely keep falling throughout the first half of next year before a recovery takes hold, analysts and market researchers say.

• Wozniak recalls role of memory in Apple's early days

  Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak shared memories about memory on Thursday at the Flash Memory Summit in Santa Clara, California.

• SanDisk reveals the SSD perfect for mobile computing

  Solid state drives just got a whole lot smaller. Memory maker SanDisk introduced a new super compact memory chip that is smaller than your average postage stamp and lighter than a paperclip.

• SSDs may give you more bang for your DRAM

  Device and storage vendors are gradually embracing flash SSDs (solid-state disks) as a complement to spinning disk drives, but one executive at this week's Flash Memory Summit sees great potential in turning flash "upside down," as a lower tier of cache behind DRAM.

• Nvidia licenses Rambus memory patents

  Nvidia has signed an agreement to license Rambus patents on memory controllers following a ruling against Nvidia at the U.S. International Trade Commission, the two companies announced.

• iSuppli warns of looming DRAM shortage

  A shortage of the main memory chips used in personal computers could send prices of the chips higher in the second half of this year, market researcher iSuppli warned on Monday

• Mobile memory revenue could jump 49.9 per cent this year

  Worldwide mobile memory revenue is expected to grow by close to 50 per cent this year on increased smartphone shipments, research firm iSuppli said on Friday.

• Samsung, Toshiba seek big increase in NAND flash speeds

  Samsung Electronics and Toshiba on Wednesday said they plan to push for a new specification meant to speed up the flow of data in NAND flash memory, used to store data in products from iPads and iPhones to SSDs (solid state drives) used in PCs and data centers.

• SanDisk and Toshiba sign new flash factory agreement

  Toshiba and SanDisk announced on Wednesday a new joint venture agreement for an advanced NAND flash memory chip factory in Yokkaichi, Japan, meant to keep ahead of burgeoning demand for the NAND flash chips to store songs, photos and other digital data.

• Chip sales reach a new high for May, SIA says

  Worldwide chip sales for May reached an all-time high, growing by 47 per cent compared to the same month last year, the Semiconductor Industry Association said in a study released on Tuesday.

• NAND flash prices could rise in Q3 on shortages

  Demand for NAND flash could outstrip supply in the third quarter of this year as consumer electronics companies prepare products for the holiday season, leading to price increases and shortages, research firm iSuppli said on Friday.