The MultiMediaCard Association Welcomes Mu-Card Alliance; Mu-Card Alliance Joins the MultiMediaCard Association to Create the Next Generation I/O Device Interface Standard

Business Wire, June 1, 2005

SUNOL, Calif. -- The MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) today announced that the Mu-Card Alliance has agreed to join the MMCA. The former Mu-Card Alliance members will create a technical subcommittee under the MMCA umbrella to define the next generation I/O device interface standard based on the MMC specification. The new subcommittee will be headed by Mr. C.Y. Liu of Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), founding member and chairperson of the Mu-Card Alliance, and will report to the MMCA Technical Committee.

The Mu-Card Alliance was formed in October 2004 with the goal of establishing a small form factor card standard that addresses the emerging market need for high-performance memory card and peripheral I/O device functions for small consumer electronics and telecommunication devices. The intention was to leverage and build upon existing memory card and I/O device standards such as MultiMediaCard and USB 2.0, as the basis for Mu-Card.

The MMCA has already defined the most advanced memory card standard in the latest MMC System Specification v4.1. The boards of directors in both organizations agree that there are synergies and mutual benefits for the Mu-Card Alliance joining the MMCA to continue the work on the I/O device function standard as part of the MMCA organization.

According to Juergen Hammerschmitt, MMCA President, "Cooperation between the MMCA and Mu-Card Alliance benefits all the market players but especially the end user. ITRI started work on the royalty-free MMCA standard interface in order to add I/O features to the standard. As an association with worldwide membership, the MMCA will be instrumental in integrating these new features into the standard for users everywhere. And as a result, those end users get a better, more feature-rich product without additional cost."

Mr. Liu stated, "We have chosen the MMCA as our partner because of its advanced standard, offering high speed and low voltage operation without additional royalties. This form factor is well suited for I/O solutions including multiple interfaces which we specialize in."

About The MMCA (MultiMediaCard Association -- (www.mmca.org)

The MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) is the open standard organization that defines the physical, functional and interface specifications of MultiMediaCards (MMCs), the postage-stamp size, removable memory cards used in mobile phone, digital imaging and portable consumer electronics applications. While removable memory cards are the primary focus, the MMCA also supports the adoption of the MMC interface standard in other embedded or removable components and subsystems, such as hard disk drives.

Founded in 1998, the MMCA provides a global forum for memory card and semiconductor component suppliers, software vendors and manufacturers of mobile electronic devices who jointly endorse and promote the worldwide adoption of MultiMediaCards and the MMC standards.

MMCA Principles:

The organization is dedicated to open, royalty-free standards; These standards are established consensually, with the equal participation of MMCA members; Product interoperability and compliance are integral to the specifications and standards.

The MMCA mailing address is P.O. Box 303, Sunol, CA 94586; Ph: 925-417-0127; Fax: 925-417-0128. More information is at www.mmca.org.

About The ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute -- (www.itri.org.tw)

The Industrial Technology Research Institute -- ITRI -- based in Taiwan is a non-profit R&D organization engaging in applied research and technical service. It was founded in 1973 to attend to the technological needs of Taiwan's industrial development. ITRI has played a vital role in the transformation of the economy from an agriculture-based model to an industrial one. By year 2005 it has grown to a 6,000 people operation, and serves as the technical center for industry in Taiwan. Backed by its broad research scope and close industrial ties, ITRI is becoming an increasingly active member in the global industrial R&D community. ITRI's research scope covers nanotechnology, communication and optoelectronics, precision machinery and MEMS, materials and chemical engineering, biomedical technology, and sustainable development.

Company/product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purpose only.