Toshiba's TransMemory flash drives reach 16GB, go U3
By Ryan Block 
posted Aug 30th 2006 8:11AM
posted Aug 30th 2006 8:11AM
We're not so massively fond of the whole U3 machine-independent application and computing package thing, but if there's one thing we can get behind, it's a big ol' damned flash memory drive. Toshiba's new TransMemory line, which they're launching in November in sizes from 512MB to 4GB, are all well and good, but only the 16GB Limited Edition due in December would have gotten get us through the year (what with the occasional Vista build and Leopard beta and all). Of course, as with the other 8GB+ flash memory drives, we leave it to Toshiba to ensure we aren't extorted for five or more figures in order to get our unworthy hands on one.[Via FarEastGizmos]
Just be prepared to keep fixing the registry on Windows...
There are already a company in Malaysia called Aeflex Technologies which has done something similar to U3 but has done a good job to allow programmer to develope secure portable apps which can run any where. In addition to that it does not write any junk to the host compauter HD. Cool staff. A lot of potential in this guy work. www.aeflex.com
So it looks like soon, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will become obsolete, because it will be possible to put HD movies on much smaller flash memory devices. I wonder how much money Sony, Toshiba and NEC have put into formats (and the inevitable format wars) that will soon be pointless. I can't help but chuckle at the thought.
MPG, it will be years before 50gb flash drives are cheap enough to mass distribute media onto them. And by then, HD-DVD/Blu-Ray discs will cost pennies, so don't be all chuckling.
So we can't be too far away from flash hard drives and much smaller desktops...?
@ MIke,
yes it will be possible for smaller desktops but the current trend (and i'd say future one) is to keep the same standard desktop size and just make the hard drives bigger ie. 300GBs on some alienware desktops and laptops.
You guys at Engadget always amaze me how far behind the curve you are when it comes to flash storage. Supermediastore have had a 16GB thumb drive on sale for $420 for a while. It's been available for at least a couple of weeks when I bought my last 4GB drive from them on sale for $45! My advice to you, always check them before reporting on any other "breakthrough" in flash capacity.
if you paid $45.00 for 4GB you paid too much!!!
I doubt that Wade will ever see this (given that his post was almost a year ago), but it would have been wise of him to FIRST notice the date of Bob's post (more than two years earlier) before posting his critical remark.