DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Intel Corp. (INTC) and Micron Technology Inc. (MU) have
developed a new three-bit-per-cell NAND flash technology, which the
companies called the industry's most efficient NAND product.
Intel's shares were recently up 1 cent at $18.77, while Micron's
were up 2.4% at $6.79 in premarket trading.
Through their joint venture, the two companies have made the new
32-gigabit chip, which they say is the smallest and most
cost-effective on the market with that amount of memory.
NAND chips are usually used in storage devices such as flash and
USB drives. Intel said last month it was moving to the more
advanced 34-nanometer manufacturing process for its NAND
flash-based, solid-state-drive products, which would help lower
prices for personal-computer and laptop makers who buy them because
of the smaller size.
Intel and Micron said the chip will be in mass production
starting in the fourth quarter.
Micron Vice President of Memory Brian Shirley said the companies
"continue to move forward on further shrinks in NAND" and said they
see three-bit-per-cell NAND as "an important piece of our
roadmap."
-By Kerry Grace Benn, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2353;
kerry.benn@dowjones.com