(Tokyo, Japan, March 16, 2001) Sony Corporation today announced that the cumulative shipments of the Memory Stick™ media will reach 10 million units by the end of March, 2001. Cumulative shipments of Memory Stick compliant devices are also expected to reach 10 million units by the end of May 2001.

Memory Stick was introduced in the fall of 1998 as a recording medium based on flash memory technology. While the initial application focused mainly on digital imaging solutions such as digital video and still cameras, it quickly spread to cover a wide range of products and services such as personal computers, audio equipment, televisions, cellular phones, handheld devices, car navigation systems, kiosk terminals, etc. Memory Stick is now advancing to become a network platform that allows the sharing of digital contents over a wide range of products and platforms.

As a result, shipments of the Memory Stick media in fiscal year 2000 will reach 7 million units, expanding cumulative shipments to a total of 10 million units. Memory Stick now has 23% of the 30 million unit global market (FY2000, Sony Estimate) for flash memory storage media. In the Japanese domestic market, Memory Stick has captured a market share of 25% (GFK Japan).

Memory Stick compliant products from Sony and supporting companies are also expanding rapidly, with 7 million units shipped in the fiscal year 2000, leading to cumulative shipments of 9 million units by the end of March 2001. It is forecasted that the 10 million-unit mark will be reached by the end of May 2001. In addition to digital imaging products, the Memory Stick is now being used in personal computers, handheld devices, cellular phones, etc., which total about 45% of the compliant products.

A mere two and a half years after its market introduction, Memory Stick has evolved from a simple recording medium to a network medium that allows the sharing of digital contents between various products. In the coming broadband era, Memory Stick will serve as a platform that connects the user to network services available over the Internet, telecommunications, multimedia kiosks and data broadcasts. Sony will work to attain the above goal along with the 136 supporting companies^* of the Memory Stick format.

• *As of March 5, 2001

• Background Information
  Shipments of MemoryStick media and Compliant Products
  (Sony Est, FY99: actual)

Categorical/Regional Breakdown of Memory Stick Compliant Products (Sony Est., end of FY00)

Unit market Share of Memory Stick in the Japanese Market
(Source :GFK Japan)

MEMORY STICK SUPPORTING COMPANIES
(March 5, 2001 / 136 Companies)