News
New iPods to use Toshiba flash memory?
Toshiba has reportedly agreed to supply Apple with flash memory chips--presumably for the much-rumored flash iPod. China Daily reports that Yasuo Morimoto, senior executive vice president at Toshiba, has confirmed his company will start selling the memory chips to Apple “early next year.” Merrill Lynch analyst Steve Milunovich expects Apple to introduce a cheaper flash memory-based iPod at Macworld Expo in January. Toshiba currently supplies Apple with the 1.8-inch hard drives that the company uses in its 4G iPods.
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1
Something’s not right with this rumor. Given Apple’s experience with the iPod mini, would Apple introduce a flash based iPod and then start producing them? So either the sales of chips begins earlier (thus production makes the player available when introduced to catch all that after christmas money), or Apple’s not going to introduce the player at MWSF.
Posted by Fly on the Mac on December 9, 2004 at 4:51 PM (PDT)
2
Toshiba currently supplies Apple with the 1.8-inch hard drives that the company uses in its 4G iPods.
Apparently Tosh supplies Apple with whatever 60Gb drives it has left over after it fills orders for its 60GB Gigabeat F60 PVP, which is, apparently, “big in Japan”. The F60 manages to be lighter than the iPod photo yet have a slightly larger 2.2” screen.
The supply of the 60GB drives is is constrained. So we are unlikely to see any non-Apple 1.8” players with 60GB for the near future. On the bright side, the 1.8” 60GB is currently made with a 2x30GB platter design, which means it’s slightly thicker than a standard 20GB 1.8” drive. However, as soon as aeal densities increases (6 months?), Toshiba will be able to do a single-platter 40GB and 60GB version, which will cut costs, *and* enable it to launch a 2-platter 80GB version.
Posted by Demosthenes on December 9, 2004 at 6:11 PM (PDT)
3
FYI, the Gigabeat is NOT “big in Japan”.
I live here and have never seen anyone carrying one around, whereas I see dozens of iPods everyday.
Posted by iPoodle on December 9, 2004 at 8:56 PM (PDT)
4
the Gigabeat is NOT “big in Japan”.
Note the quotes my friend. Much as I deplore the lack of effective irony channels in textual communication, sometimes on the internet they are sadly necessary.
Posted by Demosthenes on December 10, 2004 at 5:13 PM (PDT)
5
I also though you were saying that Gigabeat was popular.
Isn’t the drive 1.5” no 1.8”?
Posted by minty on December 10, 2004 at 6:13 PM (PDT)
6
un locking my ipod
Posted by kory on February 12, 2007 at 12:26 PM (PDT)