Apple could offer 32GB flash iPods

The absence of an iPod nano capacity update almost a year after its initial launch has cast doubt on Apple's ability to maintain interest in its music players, especially after competitor SanDisk recently unveiled the first 8GB flash player and announced a price of $249 to match the 4GB Nano. Such concerns might well be unfounded, however, according to commentator Sean Alexander. Observing that Apple previously entered into a large agreement with Intel and Micron that helped form IM Flash Technologies, a company that has already managed to test flash memory on a 50nm process -- ten times smaller than the latest technologies available today, according to Electronista. Limited production is set to begin late this year, says Alexander, which would make it feasible for Apple to release an updated iPod nano or the rumored Apple iPhone with storage capacities up to 32GB via onboard flash, which would effectively dwarf SanDisk or other flash player manufacturers' latest models.

Filed under: iPod, industry