STMicroelectronics and Intel today said that the two firms are working together on common Flash memory specifications for mobile phones. The two firms promise that the effort will result in simplified handset memory design that allows handset manufacturers to shorten development times and cost.

The memory design - 512 Mbit devices - will be based on NOR Flash devices built by Intel and ST Micro. Both companies claim that they provide about 40 percent of the NOR flash memory that is used for handsets today. The specifications agreed on refer to products built in 90 nm, but will extend to upcoming single-chip 1 Gbit NOR 65 nm units, Intel said.