Toshiba To Supply Apple With Flash Memory?

[joemama]

Apple still needs to tap the $150 MP3 player market, the iPod is not yet in the buy on a whim price list. $150 is cheap enough for teenagers earning minimum wage🙂
MWSF here we come.

Well said. Apple is losing a large market share to sub $150 MP3 players. This is a logical step and an even smarter business move. I have a LOT of students who can't pay for the iPod or iPod mini, or parents who don't want to shell out that kind of dough.

The only bad thing is they are missing out on holiday sales.

 

[CalfCanuck]

It's been a GREAT 2 years ...

Keep pushing the iPod of course, but Apple seems to be putting all its eggs in one basket.

Have we become so demanding for new technology, that we expect major product introductions on a weekly basis? How often should the MacRumors faithful expect to be "wowed"?

Remember, 3 or 4 years ago, many thought the Mac was dying and software developers were neglecting their updates. And how everyone wanted the dual-boot, because all their critical ("ancient") software was still OS 7 based?

Even 18 months ago we were still stuck in Motorola's camp with the G4 towers. "Leading edge" was the flat panel iMacs. One reason that Apple's stock has perfromed so well lately is that it was priced below it's asset price back then - many thought Apple was in a death spiral.

The last couple of years has seen a REAL resurgence of the Mac platform, pushed both by the G5's but even more by OS X. We need to remember just how much reinvigoration ACROSS the line actually has occurred.

Hopefully the G-5 bugs will be worked out in the next year, and we can see the second generation G-5's develop across all Apple's lines.

 

[cxny]

. even if the conversion rate is 1% of current ipod owners that amounts to 5,000 new apple computer users. if the projected sales of 28 million by 2008 are correct that's 28,000 new users. now imagine they get 5 or 10%.

Er.... that would be 1. 50,000 2. 280,000 3. 1,400,000 and
4. 2,800,000 new Mac users that is.....

 

[BornAgainMac]

Apple, please do what you did to cell phones what you did for mp3 players. Show companies how a cell phone should function and look like.

 

[rcs128]

or maybe..

How about this... it's a 512mb flashdrive/MP3 player/and phone that lets you download songs from iTunes, carry around data, and sync with your iCal files. It's an iPod/iPhone/and PDA all in one. It'd be my dream accessory, and with the Motorola connection that's been mentioned maybe it's not so far-fetched. I'd drop a few hundred for such a device.

 

[snahabed]

Have we become so demanding for new technology, that we expect major product introductions on a weekly basis? How often should the MacRumors faithful expect to be "wowed"?

Remember, 3 or 4 years ago, many thought the Mac was dying and software developers were neglecting their updates. And how everyone wanted the dual-boot, because all their critical ("ancient") software was still OS 7 based?

Even 18 months ago we were still stuck in Motorola's camp with the G4 towers. "Leading edge" was the flat panel iMacs. One reason that Apple's stock has perfromed so well lately is that it was priced below it's asset price back then - many thought Apple was in a death spiral.

The last couple of years has seen a REAL resurgence of the Mac platform, pushed both by the G5's but even more by OS X. We need to remember just how much reinvigoration ACROSS the line actually has occurred.

Hopefully the G-5 bugs will be worked out in the next year, and we can see the second generation G-5's develop across all Apple's lines.

Yeah, uh okay.

I meant they should diversify while the iron is hot. I wasn't talking about introducing new Powerbooks or an eMac G5.

They are riding on a wave, the stock is at a peak, the mind share is sky high. Apple should leverage that into NEW products. A PowerBook isn't new, an eMac isn't new... they are just updated computers.

Spending R&D money and Expo time on a bloody flash iPod is NOT a good use of their status right now. And, lest we forget, the iPod mini was designed for anyone who was into flash-based players. Making a cheap iPod for cheap people just dilutes the brand -- it's not like iPods and mini's aren't selling. What Apple should focus on is trying to get the mini price down to 199 (like they admitted they are trying to do). And then focus R&D on NEW products, new lines of revenue.

The iPod boat won't sail forever.

 

[jamdr]

Blah! A 512MB iPod seems to defeat the whole purpose. I want at least 500 songs on my iPod, which means at least 2GB. At 512MB, it could barely hold 100. I would like a flash-based iPod (much better battery life) but not if it only has 512MB.

You know, if Apple did release a flash iPod, they would have four different models--the iPod Photo, the iPod, the iPod Mini, and the iPod flash. Starting to remind me of their Mac lineup back in the 90's *shudders*

 

[Inspector Lee]

Won't the flashPods cannibalize the minis in their current state? I thought SJ stated the mini was supposed to be for people who wanted a smaller secondary iPod for the gym or what have you. That is my setup. The only way I can see the flash is if they up the capacity of the current minis to 6 or 8 GB.

Don't know the production costs but they should really try to hit the $99 mark (not $119, $129, $149) with some kind of flashPod whether it be 1GB, 512 or 256. If they are going for the halo effect, they should really market to the young people. I don't know how many parents would drop $249 on a mini and send their kid off to school with it (I'm thinking young teen here).

 

[brap]

I don't know how many parents would drop $249 on a mini and send their kid off to school with it (I'm thinking young teen here).

Hell, I'm 21 and can't afford a mini, let alone a regular iPod! Haha... Mac users. 🙄

Seriously, even if this turned out to be a 'phone/mp3/photo venture, so long as it wasn't too price-prohibited, I'd go for it.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Toshiba isn't the only HD source.

I don't think Apple or Steve J, has a choice, I mean Toshiba makes the HDD for they iPod and next the flashPod.

Hitachi and Seagate now both make 1.8" drives. Seagate even makes 1" drives. (a.k.a. "Microdrives")

 

[nagromme]

my thing is really a fear that they're putting all their eggs in the ipod basket., and not getting chickens out of the deal.. if you get my mangled metaphor.

iPod/iTunes success brings both public attention and money to Apple. It also works against Microsoft.

What's the downside? What do you fear Apple is taking AWAY from Mac development? Not funds and not people: the iPod has managed to pay for itsself 🙂

 

[Some_Big_Spoon]

Apple laptop development is pretty dead in the water at this point. They could take the focus off the awful FSB and clock speeds by packing in features (HD screens, dual layer DVD, 128MB VRAM on the low end) but that probably won't happen.

I know I'll get flamed for this, but Apple knows they have PB users by the short and curlies and they'll milk them for all they're worth while leveraging the ibook and the desktop lines where they have room to cool their one shot at innovation at this point.

My hope is that the ipod "halo" does take effect, but the powerbook line is an albatross and needs to either get more sophisticated or go far cheaper. Let the high margin consumer toys prop up the new improvements in the stop gap laptops that we may get pushed on us till the G5 can run cooler.

I couldn't care less about another iPod. Apple laptops need a complete overhaul

 

[sw1tcher]

Well said. Apple is losing a large market share to sub $150 MP3 players. This is a logical step and an even smarter business move. I have a LOT of students who can't pay for the iPod or iPod mini, or parents who don't want to shell out that kind of dough.

The only bad thing is they are missing out on holiday sales.

Apple's holiday iPod sales are doing just fine. Actually, they're better than fine. I usually stop by the Apple store once a week, and every time I'm there there are at least a handful of people buying iPods.

When/if Apple releases the flash iPod, they'll get all the sales from the kids that got money for Christmas, not to mention the rest of us who'll also want one.

Don't worry, Apple (S.J.) knows what they're doing. Just look at their stock price.

 

[Some_Big_Spoon]

So would I, every other Mac owner, and half the population of every metropolitian city in the world, yet steve keeps saying people don't want multi function devices.. I don't know, I think they're useful, but aggrivating because they're not designed correctly with the user at the center.. kinda like, oh, I don't know, mp3 players prior to 2001..

Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door. The ipod shows that. People are willing to look at Apple as a consumer gadget company now, in fact, I think they're on the edge of their seats waiting for something new, like they used to from Sony.

Why not sell a complimentary product that lets people access their data, do light browsing and listen to some tunes.. make it play nice with the ipod so people buy both. Seems like a no brainer. And as far as the low profit margins on phones, look at the Treo 600-650.. people are selling their grandmothers on ebay to buy them no matter what the price, and they suck.

Apple could kill in this sector, like they kill in the "commodity" sectors of mp3 players and computers.

How about this... it's a 512mb flashdrive/MP3 player/and phone that lets you download songs from iTunes, carry around data, and sync with your iCal files. It's an iPod/iPhone/and PDA all in one. It'd be my dream accessory, and with the Motorola connection that's been mentioned maybe it's not so far-fetched. I'd drop a few hundred for such a device.

 

[sw1tcher]

Won't the flashPods cannibalize the minis in their current state? I thought SJ stated the mini was supposed to be for people who wanted a smaller secondary iPod for the gym or what have you. That is my setup. The only way I can see the flash is if they up the capacity of the current minis to 6 or 8 GB.

The iPod mini is rumored to get bumped up to 5GB's, so I don't think the flash iPods will affect sales of the minis. Besides, think of the flash iPods as a jumping point for people who can't afford to get either of the current iPods. Once they get the flash iPod, they'll use it so much that they'll soon realize that there isn't enough room and they'll go out and get a HDD-based iPod. And from there, maybe the PC users will even switch to a Mac. You know, the whole halo effect and all.

Don't know the production costs but they should really try to hit the $99 mark (not $119, $129, $149) with some kind of flashPod whether it be 1GB, 512 or 256. If they are going for the halo effect, they should really market to the young people. I don't know how many parents would drop $249 on a mini and send their kid off to school with it (I'm thinking young teen here).

Knowing Apple, I'm guessing that they won't be selling the flash-based iPod for anything less than $129. They could probably do a 1GB flash iPod for ~ $129-149 since you can now get 1GB flash cards for less than $90 retail. With the discounts Apple could get, I'm sure Apple would still make a nice profit.

 

[beatle888]

i think its just apple lovers have seen the iPod up close and personal for so long......i can understand that. but apple needs to finish what they started...they want the iPod to triumph and the INEXPENSIVE iPod will help them do that. im sure apple is still innovating, just look at tiger. also, i dont think apple should turn into some peripheral company, i dont want them to start making toasters you can program to warm pop tarts to perfection. let them finish what they started with the iPod then move on. they need to focus on making people want to make peripherals INSPIRED by apple...like BOSE and all the other iPod speaker systems.

the iPod has the lime light i know i know but its not a bad thing and as i said apple will bring smiles again with tiger. tiger is going to be really good for pros, and with core image allowing real time visual effects....does this mean maybe GAMES (another huge market) will run 3D environments like never before....who knows but im thinking it will.

 

[Yvan256]

Increasing mp3 player market share increases the halo effect of Apple Computer and hopefully gets more people to buy macs.

And even if the halo effect doesn't get everyone into buying an Apple computer, it at least prevents WMA from spreading (to some degree).

 

[Yvan256]

maybe this is the NEW iPhone. 😉 🙂

iPhone G5? Wow, this phone's gonna be HOT! ;-)

 

[Yvan256]

hardly, can we say OS X and the move to IBM? OS X alone with core image is incredible. and the Xgrid? i think that will help anyones workflow. the iPod is just ONE of apples angles...what about quicktime? all the things i mentioned help real world professionals...and their even better then the iPod, which i love.

Indeed. I always hated Apple until they came out with OS X. I really didn't like OS 9 (and previous versions), and I was always comparing it to Windows 3.11 (I mean come on, the user has to allocate RAM to applications? How's that supposed to be user-friendly?)

But OS X changed that. And Apple kept on changing, too. Dropping their proprietary connectors, even ADC, is proof that Apple don't want to be left alone in its corner anymore. They now play by the industry's rules, and simply improve upon them. AAC and H.264 are simply more proofs of this fact.

Think different, indeed.

 

[Yvan256]

I'm holding out buying a 12" Powerbook until they put GigE in it. I want my Gigabit Ethernet! 😡

Does your home network have gigabit ethernet? Would you even be ABLE to use that?

 

[Yvan256]

there are consumers who would love a cheap iPod, and don't care if its flash.

Not everyone can afford a few hundred <your_currency> for an mp3 player.

In fact, I know someone who's actually *waiting* for Apple to release a cheaper, flash iPod. And a 1GB flash iPod would be enough for his needs.

I can easily see Apple releasing a 1GB iPod Flash at the same time they upgrade the iPod mini to 5GB.

If they can introduce AACplus to all iPods at the same time, that would also be a major boost.

 

[aswitcher]

In fact, I know someone who's actually *waiting* for Apple to release a cheaper, flash iPod. And a 1GB flash iPod would be enough for his needs.

I can easily see Apple releasing a 1GB iPod Flash at the same time they upgrade the iPod mini to 5GB.

If they can introduce AACplus to all iPods at the same time, that would also be a major boost.

I still think the rumors about it being for a Motorola / mini ipod combo have legs. Thats perfect for me. I dont want two devices. I always want my phone handy. A tri or quad band phone with a gig for AAC files and photos, + all of isync, would be a sure sell for me.

 

[Converted2Truth]

I know everyone is interested in what new music player is coming out and all, but to be honest, apple is really pissing me off. It's almost like they forgot they are a computer company too. Where's a newer emac? Where's PCI-express? Where's DDR533? Where's a powerbook that will beat an 800mhz wintel laptop? Where's an ibook that will beat a 600mhz wintel laptop? Where's a laptop that manages to achieve bus speeds greater than a poekey 167mhz?

I could care less about a freakin pendisk that plays AAC! Owe, i better stop now before one of you moderators ban me.

/rant

 

[Belly-laughs]

snip… Besides, think of the flash iPods as a jumping point for people who can't afford to get either of the current iPods. Once they get the flash iPod, they'll use it so much that they'll soon realize that there isn't enough room and they'll go out and get a HDD-based iPod.

Exactly! And they will invest in a HDD iPod, now knowing the Apple ease-of-use and from fear of making all their iTMS FairPlay AAC music redundant (more or less).

If the flashPod materializes it may very well take a bite of the mini´s share, but not in the long run. Some people will from this scenario purchase TWO iPods.

 

[Yvan256]

Why not sell a complimentary product that lets people access their data, do light browsing and listen to some tunes.. make it play nice with the ipod so people buy both.

Sounds like my "iBook mini" idea:
- Widescreen 8" 860x480 or 10" 1024x600 LCD display
- 800MHz to 1GHz G3 with Altivec (IBM)
- Radeon Mobility 9200/32MB (or whatever 3D chipset is low-power)
- 1.8" 60GB HD
- 256MB RAM (256MB on-board, 1 free SODIMM slot, max 768MB or 1.25GB)
- wireless
- one USB2
- one Firewire400
- S-Video out
- headphones jack
- DVD-ROM or ComboDrive (only if size allows. The unit could be thicker but not larger as a result)

Comes with the full version of OS X, iTunes, iPhoto, Safari, etc.

Only 499$US.

Marketing blurbs: "Your iLife to go", "Desktop companion", etc.

You end up with a very small, very low-power, long battery life palmtop computer that would sell like hotcakes, and that people could easily carry around everywhere.