Mrs. Cencomco — I’d like to second the idea of including a picture of John if you think it’s appropriate. It’s interesting trying to imagine what an Internet person/poster actually looks like. But either way, we’ll definitely remember him and the wisdom/insight he shared so generously.

Regards,
poofy

My first take on the EETimes article on Saifun/China/SMIC is that Saifun’s tech, NROM quadbit, isn’t cutting it as NAND competition. At one time, many thought NAND wouldn’t be scalable below 50 nm while NROM would. Times have changed, NAND doesn’t appear to have a problem while NROM might.

Remember that debate about NROM vs x4 for 4 bit/cell tech? Looks like Dov had it right at least in – direction. We’ll need to see x4 rolled out before its conclusive.

In any case this isn’t to say that NROM won’t be competitive with some NOR applications.

Suspect that NROM is used for embedded memory in specialized TSEM controller chips. SMIC has recently been added to the SNDK controller wafer supplier list, so maybe their NROM expertise is proving useful for specialized SNDK controllers too.

Savo

PS afkkl8_99 / mordecaim, have asked Mrs. Cencomco for a photo of John if she feels it appropriate. Great idea. Recently stumbled on this “Wired” link about Cencomco and the FLSH board: “Requiem for a Financial Guru”:

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2000/09/38776

From the SNDK board, saw this article in EETimes re Saifun/China/SMIC. Any thoughts?

Regards,
poofypuppy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SMIC’s flash efforts stall, says analyst

Mark LaPedus
EE Times
(09/26/2007 11:31 AM EDT)

TOKYO — Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.’s efforts to enter the flash-memory market have apparently stalled, according to an analyst.
In 2005, Israel’s Saifun Semiconductors Ltd. disclosed a foundry alliance with Chinese foundry provider SMIC. Last year, SMIC (Shanghai) decided to enter the memory card market help with help from Saifun.

SMIC extended its license to use oxynitride flash memory technology so that it can develop and manufacture memory cards. NROM flash memory from Saifun (Netanya, Israel) stores up to four bits per memory cell.

The Saifun-SMIC arrangement has stalled. This is based on an analyst report about Saifun’s upcoming quarterly results.

Saifun ”is likely to be highlighted by continuing weakness in the NOR flash market, with Spansion facing price pressure and the slower-than-expected NROM product ramp at SMIC,” said Daniel Amir, an analyst at Lazard Capital Markets, in a report.

Overall, though, Saifun is expected to meet its forecast. ”Following our meeting we expect the company to post in-line revenues and EPS for 3Q of $9.9 million and $0.13, respectively,” he said. However, ”our channel checks suggest it is unlikely that an additional licensee will come on board in 2007.”

Thanks again

afkkl8_99

Nice to see some old familiar names. That FLSH message board at its best was interesting, educational and entertaining.

I have been thinking of putting up a key to the images in the header, under a tab called “Header”. Maybe later this week. The collage seems to have taken on a life of its own. The guy over Dov’s shoulder is Simone Cavallo, from this week’s post.

The woman looking at Shlomi is my wife. She was in the original picture and I just didn’t bother to take her out.

WordPress.com apparently has an easy way of adding links in a side window. At some point I will probably experiment with using it for interesting/ relevant articles.

It would be nice if they had an option more akin to a message board, but I guess these comments sort of function that way.

Yep, I have been thinking of some articles with more of a financial or numbers angle. Probably the first will be about bit growth & NAND ASP/MB declines and cyclicality including NAND market share. Basically the issues of elasticity and commoditization & supply and demand. That might be too much for one post. We shall see.

Eventually will probably get around to estimates of one form or another, but that will probably take a while. I will probably circle in. Next up will be more Audio Video. Was surprised to learn/notice recently that SanDisk digital audio revenues were between $250M and $300M in 2006. That’s real $$$.

Regards,
Savo

Iam facinated by your articles and the way this thread is organized, Read it every week same as I used to read all your comment onthe msys massage board..together with other serious posters.
I have just two questions….first is who are the two figures added to gallery, one at the right shoulder of DOV the second looking at Shlomi ? And second..do you plan to discuss financial issues such as NAND market analyses, SNDK’S short and long run results estimates etc.

Regards,

afkkl8_99