Apple prepping 16GB flash iPod video?
updated 10:00 am EDT, Mon August 6, 2007
16GB Flash iPod Claim
Apple is in the last stages of preparing a flash-based video iPod, claim sources in Taiwan's semiconductor business. The new model will reportedly draw on 16GB of flash memory and should be ready by late September, according to the sources. No mention was made of whether this model would directly replace today's hard disk-based models, which offer as much as 80GB of storage, or whether it would supplant the already flash-driven iPod nano. The introduction would take place roughly at the same time as the Apple Expo event in September.
The introduction of the device may create significant problems in the wake of the recent Samsung power outage that disrupted worldwide production of flash memory, the sources said. An iPod demanding more, higher-capacity chips would put added strain on the Korean firm's reduced supply, which may also have been hurt by the shift towards more advanced chips made with a smaller manufacturing process. A drop in Apple shares on Friday is said to have been triggered by concerns that the California company would not meet iPhone and iPod shipment targets if flash memory production could not recover in time.
Samsung itself has mitigated these concerns with news that it had already resumed full production at all six of the downed factories by mid-Saturday, trumping worst-case fears of a one-month downtime. At least some of the chips that were on assembly lines during the outage can be reused, Samsung added. Though still a significant factor, an estimate from CW Chung of analyst group Lehman Brothers pegs Samsung's loss at only 9 percent of its total flash memory output for the quarter.
The company itself said there should be no apparent problems for its customers, which include Apple. "We have assured our key flash chip clients that there would be no supply problem," said Samsung's semiconductor head Hwang Chang-gyu.
right
08/06, 10:58am reply
why would apple drop an 80gb whatever, and replace it with a 16gb version.
Herod
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Who knows,
08/06, 12:18pm reply
Perhaps they've found a way to stack 16GB modules and still keep a slim form factor. If it's a widescreen, I'd put up with it being wider. We'll all see soon enough.
danviento
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Joined: Dec 2005
'overhaul'
08/06, 12:25pm reply
some Apple suit recently referred to a product line refresh; undoubtedly this is it. There will be flash-based video iPods with a much smaller form factor than the HD-based video iPods. The touch-screen technology may also be incorporated in iPods.
Clearly the 5th gen has been with us for a while; if Apple wants people to keep buying iPods then they need a reason to do so! A complete product line refresh would do the trick.
Take advantage of the dip and stock up on AAPL; by year's end you'll be glad you did.
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
need a reason?
08/06, 03:53pm reply
"Clearly the 5th gen has been with us for a while; if Apple wants people to keep buying iPods then they need a reason to do so!"
More of a reason than it's already a really great product? ::scratches head::
Flying Meat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007
re: a reason
08/06, 05:09pm reply
5th gen iPod is over two years old; most people who want one, have one already, dontcha think?
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Re: overhaul
08/06, 10:37pm reply
some Apple suit recently referred to a product line refresh;
They didn't say refresh. He said a 'product transition'. Maybe the transition would be the removal of all hard-drive based ipods.
And is there some reason why you can't take several 8 GB flash chips and span them to make a single large 'drive'?
LouZer
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Joined: Nov 2000
More room
08/07, 11:51am reply
Twice as much goodness for the same price?
Neil Anderson
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Joined: Jul 2007
dvd and video onto ipod
08/19, 06:19pm reply
I have many favorite dvd and video. Some days ago , I want to put them onto my ipod video , some friends recommend a software to me at http://www.oursdownload.com/convert-DVD-video-to-iPod-video.html It works pretty good .
fire5
Banned
Joined: May 2007