Hold the front page. This computer memory news just in. Apple has secured a supply of flash memory, the stuff used in its cheaper iPods, through to 2010. Despite the computer firm's flash memory negotiations with Samsung getting the most press of late, Apple have confirmed deals with a range of suppliers, including Hynix, Intel, Micron, Samsung and Toshiba. The collective deals include a reported $1.25 billion advance payment from Apple to its respective suppliers.
Confirming the deals, Apple boss Steve Jobs told reporters the new deals and advance payments would enable his company to meet demand for their music players in the years to come - "We want to be able to produce as many of our wildly popular iPods as the market demands".
The deals might not be good news for Apple's competitors in the digital music player space - possibly giving the computer firm priority access to the relatively limited supplies of flash memory. Some wonder if competition authorities might get involved now the new deals have been confirmed, although others say memory manufacturers are stepping up production and will be able to meet all demand within a year or so, meaning current shortages and the competition issues of one dominant player zapping all supplies should only be relevant in the short term.