AfterDawn: News

Sony's proprietary Vita memory cards are 'more secure'

According to Sony Division 2 Software Development Head Muneki Shimada, the company's new proprietary (and expensive) Vita memory cards are more secure, and have guaranteed performance.

By creating their own cards, with specified read/write speeds, they can guarantee the performance, instead of hoping that gamers pay to get better class cards.



Adding more security is a good thing, for Sony, who is looking to avoid having their new Vita ravaged by piracy like the original PSP was.

Furthermore, the new memory cards can't be used as "mass storage" on PCs, it will only sync with a proprietary Sony management program. The program is not optional, but required.

By using the program, Shimada says (via Shack) "you do not need to remember which folder contains data on the memory card," making it easier to find files.

The management program is ready for Windows and Mac.

Sony is selling the cards at $30 for 4GB, $45 for 8GB, $70 for 16GB or $120 for 32GB.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 2 Dec 2011 15:13

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• 11 comments

• llongtheD

  Is it me, or does $ony just not get it? Lets create something with less functionality and charge more for it. Oh yeah, and well I'm at it, let me install another root kit from Sony on my computer.

  2.12.2011 17:32 #1

• rvinkebob

  Will probably have terrible read/write speeds, and the price per GB ratio is already insane... they're just barreling downhill...

  2.12.2011 18:01 #2

• elbald90

  it just makes me want to hack it more
  

  2.12.2011 18:03 #3

• pcrazy99

  I was interested in picking one up until I read this. The price for these cards is ridiculous.
  

  2.12.2011 20:43 #4

• core2kid

  Originally posted by rvinkebob: Will probably have terrible read/write speeds, and the price per GB ratio is already insane... they're just barreling downhill... Well most Sony MS and MS Pro Duos had amazing read/write speeds compared to SD/CF/Flash drives/etc of it's time. I also remember on my PSP 1000, Sony cards performed wonderfully. Sandisk always gave me a bit of lag in ISOs.

  2.12.2011 21:32 #5

• brockie

  rvinkebob your missing the point they will be consistent if there made by Sony same speed. looking forward to getting one still.

  2.12.2011 21:52 #6

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by core2kid: Originally posted by rvinkebob: Will probably have terrible read/write speeds, and the price per GB ratio is already insane... they're just barreling downhill... Well most Sony MS and MS Pro Duos had amazing read/write speeds compared to SD/CF/Flash drives/etc of it's time. I also remember on my PSP 1000, Sony cards performed wonderfully. Sandisk always gave me a bit of lag in ISOs. Sandisk cards are always slow...that doesn't mean that Sony cards are fast, or even reliable. The rootkit is the final nail in the coffin; I had serious doubts about the Vita before and that just ends it.
  
  BTW...a while ago microsoft came up with a feature called ReadyBoost, which required fast flash drives in order to work correctly. Did they make their own proprietary flash drives for this? No. They simply wrote a small speed test program. Sony claiming that they made a whole new format just to prevent people from using slow memory is total BS, especially because you know that these cards will not evolve over time and all other cards will just get faster and faster.
  
  Originally posted by brockie: rvinkebob your missing the point they will be consistent if there made by Sony same speed. looking forward to getting one still. It seems highly unlikely that they would be consistent; there are 4 different sizes. If they are consistent, it is only because they are intentionally slowing three of the sizes.

  2.12.2011 22:56 #7

• ps3lvanub

  If you can still use normal SD cards with the VITA... I may get one for Uni.
  

  
  
  IMPORTANT: If you hate Sony for being so corrupt, copy this image into your signature too!
  
  OMG! COD6 TENTH HACK WITHOUT JTAG!

  3.12.2011 05:29 #8

• jookycola

  "proprietary"
  there it is, that's the word that changed my mind about wanting a Vita. If I can't use my vast collection of already STILL overpriced Pro-Duo's or a micro SD. Forget it.
  
  I'm not buying proprietary jack sh*t. Obviously they learned absolutely nothing from the complete failure of the PSP Go, and it's proprietary cards that nobody was willing to buy.
  

  
  

  3.12.2011 06:00 #9

• blueboy09

  There's no reason why Sony needs to keep their prices on their memory cards so damned high so that supposedly no one else can use thier format, and for what, to offset their damages from the hacking situation that occured later this year? Give me a break!!
  

  Chance prepares the favored mind. Look up once in a while and you might learn something. - BLUEBOY

  3.12.2011 16:51 #10

• Red_Forman

  "proprietary", meaning its their property for ever and ever, and screw all you consumers who think you own it and can use it like you want. Now fuck you and give us your money, you stupid plebeians.
  
  Sony, one more company who's demise can't come sooner.
  

  I'll stick my foot up your ass.

  3.12.2011 17:47 #11