And in timely fashion, i just came across the following article on apple insider....


Apple to move all iPods to flash memory?
Apple may cancel future hard drive-based iPods in favour of flash memory, an analyst claims
Macworld staff


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Apple may this year begin to field an all-flash memory range of iPods, dropping hard drives from the higher-capacity models.

A report on AppleInsider cites Prudential Equity Group analyst Jesse Tortora, who believes Apple will start the transition to an all-flash iPod range toward the end of the year.


He also believe such a move will enable Apple to offer a wider range of models and to deliver vastly improved battery life in its range of media players.

"Our checks indicate that Apple is considering cancelling its next generation HDD-based iPod design, with the form factor refresh involving a move to NAND flash memory," he wrote.