From: izumi@pinoko.berkeley.edu (Izumi Ohzawa)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.hardware,alt.cd-rom
Subject: Re: Sony to Create Mini-Disks for PC Storage
Date: 4 Jan 1993 02:43:48 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Distribution: world
Reply-To: izumi@pinoko.berkeley.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: moica.berkeley.edu
Keywords: Mini-Disk, Sony, optical disk

I just came across this, and thought you might be interested.

NeXT's original optical disk flopped, but this may be what everyone
wanted all along with features:

* 130MB re-writable storage
* Cheap blank media ($12 now) which you can buy in any audio store
* For mass distribution, pre-recorded (read-only) stamped format
   like CD-ROM is available.  Will it be called MD-ROM?

2.8MB floppy is just too small for me.  Can't even make a
backup of one project directory.  Hopefully, my OD drive will
last until I can get one of these drives.

[I have no connection with Sony.]
---
Izumi Ohzawa             [ $@Bg_78^=;(J ]
USMail: University of California, 360 Minor Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720
Telephone: (510) 642-6440     Fax:  (510) 642-3323
Internet: izumi@pinoko.berkeley.edu (NeXT Mail OK)


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Newsgroups: clari.nb.trends,clari.nb.top,biz.clarinet.sample
Subject:  ****Sony to Create Mini-Disks for PC Storage 12/24/92
Keywords: Bureau-TYO
Date: 25 Dec 92 03:15:34 GMT

TOKYO, JAPAN, 1992 DEC 24 (NB) -- Sony is planning to develop
a version of its Mini-Disk for use as a personal computer storage
device. The tiny Mini-Disk was recently released as a next-generation
digital audio music disk.

Expected to be ready for commercial release in about two years,
the Mini-Disk is smaller than a 3.5-inch floppy disk, but it
can store 130 megabytes data, or about 130 times more than 
a regular 3.5-inch floppy disk. With these advantages, Sony is
betting that the Mini-Disk will replace not only floppy disks 
but also the optical disc in the future.

Sony's Mini-Disk was initially developed as a digital audio
music recording and replaying medium. It is 6.4 cm in diameter,
which is half the size of a compact disc. Up to 74 minutes of
audio data can be recorded on this disk. The sound is comparable 
to that of a compact disk, but unlike the compact disc, it also 
can be used to record new sounds.

Sony is currently selling hardware that runs the unit: a portable 
type Mini-Disk, a version with a radio, and a version for an 
automobile. 

According to a Sony spokesman, Sony has heavily invested in the
development of the Mini-Disk, so much so that firm's finances
will be in the red next year if the Mini-Disk does not catch on with
the music industry. These high stakes have also prompted Sony 
to develop this disk for personal computers and to promote it as
a future industry standard. Its licensees Hitachi and Toshiba are
among 50 to 60 firms that have already been awarded the rights to
develop Mini-Disk products, according to a Sony spokesman.

Sony is also planning to release a ROM (read-only memory)-type
Mini-Disk, which includes picture data, in the near future.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19921224/Press Contact: Sony, +81-3-
3448-2200, Fax, +81-3-448-3061)



Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.hardware