Samsung-Sony Digital Alliance

Samsung Electronics and Sony, Japan, rival manufacturers of world electronics, made a strategic alliance with each other for digital industry for the first time.

On August 2, Samsung Electronics and Sony announced in each country respectively that they made an agreement of understandings (MOU) regarding the technology cooperation in the areas of next-generation flash memory.

The flash memory is used for digital camera, camcorder, PC, personal digital assistant (PDA), MP3 player etc. as data storage semiconductor and is regarded as the core component to determine the next-generation digital home appliance market.

So far, Japanese electronics manufacturers, such as Sony, Toshiba, Matsusida etc, have attempted to make strategic alliances with other top-class manufacturers in order to make their own flash memory products as world standards.

Since Samsung and Sony have allied, digital products of the two companies will be compatible with each other; for example, editing the contents recorded in Sony camcorders on Samsung PC will be possible.

Jin, Taejae, president of Samsung Electronics, said, ``This alliance has reinforced Samsung’s flash memory business.`` Nakamura Suehiro, vice president of Sony, said, `` Memory stick has already been used and welcomed in 167 electronics manufacturers.

In the future, customers may take advantage of the network service, whenever and wherever they use electronic devices.``

artemes@donga.com