Memory Stick

The original memory stick was available in sizes up to 128MB, and a sub-version, Memory Stick Select allowed two banks of 128 MB selectable by a slider switch, essentially two cards squeezed into one. The largest capacity Memory Sticks currently available is 32GB. According to Sony, the Memory Stick PRO has a maximum theoretical size of 2TB.[2]
As of January 2010[update], it appears that Sony is beginning to combine both formats in their products. All digital cameras and camcorders announced by Sony at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show can use SD and SDHC cards as well as Memory Sticks.[3][4][5][6][7] Furthermore, Sony is releasing its own line of SD cards.[8] Many claim this development as the end of format war between Memory Stick and SD card. But Sony has not abandoned the format, in fact it will continue development of the format for the foreseeable future. A prime example is the development of WiFi transfers through a still in development, special Memory Stick Pro-Duo.

Applications

Typically, Memory Sticks are used as storage media for a portable device, in a form that can easily be removed for access by a personal computer. For example, Sony digital compact cameras use Memory Sticks for storing image files. With a Memory Stick-capable Memory card reader a user can copy the pictures taken with the Sony digital camera to a computer. Sony typically includes Memory Stick reader hardware in its first party consumer electronics, such as digital cameras, digital music players, PDAs, cellular phones, the VAIO line of laptop computers, and the PlayStation Portable.
A special Memory Stick can be inserted in the hindquarters[16] of Sony's AIBO robot pet, to enable the use of Aiboware—software intended for use on AIBOs. The Sticks include a copy protection mechanism used by the robot, allowing users to write programs. These are referred to as programmable or programming. Only 8 MB and 16 MB versions are available.