Apple seen expanding use of flash memory

American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu said that recent supply chain checks suggest that Apple plans to expand its use of NAND flash memory in iPods and Macs. In addition to a new “subnotebook” that will use NAND flash for its primary storage, Wu said Apple plans to soon have an all-flash iPod lineup. “Our sources indicate that Apple plans to migrate the rest of its iPod product line to NAND flash from HDDs (the current vPod is the only model remaining); however, fairly low price points and customer appetite for high storage capacities will likely prevent this from happening until late 2007-2008,” Wu said. “In addition, we are picking up that a widescreen vPod will not likely ship until after iPhone ships in the June timeframe to not take away from iPhone’s launch.”