Flash in the iPod
Rumors are now circling the web about Apple’s possible new line of iPods. Word is that in “December will begin manufacturing a third variant of its flagship iPod music player, which will be based on solid-state flash memory”. This news comes from AppleInsider and they claim that the rumor has been confirmed through a reliable source of theirs.
According to contacts in Asia, the computer company will build a stock-pile of approximately 2 million flash iPods before the product begins shipping world-wide in late-January or early February. The new players are slated to be announced at the annual Macworld trade show in San Francisco during the second week of January.
Though precise specifications were not readily available, the flash iPod will reportedly use controller chips from Austin, TX-based SigmaTel, and feature a storage capacity in the range of 256 Megabytes to 1 Gigabyte. Sources were unable to confirm if the player would be released in more than one configuration.
The iPod flash will retail for below (US)$200 and sport a similar user interface to the company’s ubiquitous iPod and iPod mini.
This just may put a bigger piece of the market share in their lap. Good move!