Samsung to sell flash memory to Sony

Two of the worlds largest electronics companies have agreed a deal over NAND flash memory. Samsung, the worlds No1 flash memory maker has agreed to supply large amounts of flash memory to Sony.

As a result Samsung shares have soared and Sony looks set to start their fight back against Apple. The flash memory is for a bunch of new digital (MP3) music players they are launching at the beginning of next year.

Apple have done deals with Samsung as well, but apparently Sony's is bigger which just goes to prove that 2006 will see Sony go after the digital music player market in a major way. And they do have a lead on Apple with a mobile phone/music player after SonyEricsson launched the now successful Walkman phone.

Expect Apple to respond early in 2006 with a mobile phone based on the iPod. If they get the design right it could prove extremely popular. For Apple to continue the iPod's success into the future they have to get their mobile strategy right.

Oh, and another interesting thought. Will Apple be the first company to use flash memory in computers and the notebook in particular? Now there's an idea!