NAND Flash as the media killer: Sony to kill the floppy in Japan, finally

Sometimes it takes decades but NAND Flash semiconductor memory is turning out to be quite the media killer. Over the last decade, NAND Flash memory has killed off 35mm photographic film for all but the most dedicated still-photography enthusiasts. With the advent of dSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras that also shoot video, such as the Canon 5D and 7D dSLRs, NAND Flash memory now seriously threatens to replace photographic film for movie and TV production because of the lower costs and faster workflows. The latest confirmation of NAND Flash’s lethal effects is this announcement in the Washington Post reporting that Sony plans to terminate production of floppy disks and will stop selling them in Japan next year after producing them for 30 years. For many who thought the floppy disk dead already, it may come as a surprise that they are still in production but they are apparently still in use in Japan where Sony claims to own more than 70% of the market. NAND Flash simply offers computer users many advantages including more capacity, better performance, and more ruggedness compared to the venerable floppy. Soon, the only remnant of the floppy disk’s former glory may well be the icon on a Microsoft Office application toolbar that serves as a shortcut for saving a document or file.

The proven lethal effects of NAND Flash on other portable media also point to the current controversy between SSD and HDD advocates. Hard disk drives retain their lead over SSDs in storage capacity and storage cost/bit and HDD vendors continue to move heaven and earth to maintain that lead. SSD vendors seem just as eager and determined to overtake HDD vendors and the historic record of NAND-Flash-based storage devices’ ability to kill older, competing media formats is pretty compelling. Already, enterprise-class storage systems are finding compelling applications for SSDs as storage accelerators. Leading-edge PC users including gamers and video producers find SSDs compelling for their speed, albeit at a higher cost for storage. Today, SSDs are mostly used as HDD helpers. Tomorrow may be another story. It obviously won’t happen next year or even the year after that, but I wouldn’t bet against the ultimate outcome.