[pauldanielash]

image via MaximumPC

Demand for NAND flash memory exceeded supply by more than 1% in the third quarter of 2009, according to DRAMeXchange, and is predicted to increase in Q4 due to increased production for the holiday season.

As reported in DigiTimes, the memory shortage is being largely attributed to Apple's appetite for the memory modules. Apple had also been blamed for flash shortages earlier this year, before introducing new flash-based iPods, including the 64GB iPod touch and the 5th generation 8- and 16GB iPod nano.

The shortages are expected to continue for some time: according to the report, supply will only grow by 79 percent in the year to come, while demand is predicted to increase by 81 percent.

Predictably, prices are also surging with the decreased availability. "Contract prices for mainstream 16GB and 32GB MLC NAND flash chips rose 7-8% and 8-14%, respectively, to average US$4.98 and US$7.68 in the first half of October, according to DRAMeXchange data," the DigiTimes report said. "The 64GB segment also saw a price rally of 6-13% to US$14.50 on average."

[thetoothfairy]

I love it when there is a memory shortage! It means more good things coming our way from Apple! But hate the price increase!

[DMI187]

Originally Posted by thetoothfairy

I love it when there is a memory shortage! It means more good things coming our way from Apple! But hate the price increase!

Amen

[justinpotter81]

Maybe for the new tablet?

[pacmac]

I can sure want a 64GB iPhone next year..128GB iPod touch next year..then 128GB iPhone..ect.. My 32GB 3GS still good atm..still have 17GB free.. soon HD will be dead in the classics iPod..

[mdc929]

less memory = more good things to come

[nighthawk283]

The price I can handle but dam if the speed increase that would be great

[one1]

It's a no brainer folks that once the 64gb touch is on the market they are going to start production for the june release of the 64gb iphone. The orders are flowing, they'll have their chips by the end of the year, they'll build for a few months and have enough stock to ship by May.

[ecd5000]

well its not like anyone didnt see this coming. surprise, surprise! it will be interesting to see what next june has in store for iphone/ipod and such

[jetfuel495]

I'm still waiting on the terabyte iPhone. Then I'll upgrade

[plcrules]

It's a no brainer folks that once the 64gb touch is on the market they are going to start production for the june release of the 64gb iphone. The orders are flowing, they'll have their chips by the end of the year, they'll build for a few months and have enough stock to ship by May.

i hope u no that the 64 gb ipod touch has been out for some time now

[badass1469]

apple is filled with a bunch of bi*cH%s simply cuz they only spend 4 dollars more for double the capacity on an iPhone and then they hump the hell outta our pockets for this increase in memory, even though it only costs them like 4 dollars to make an iPhone double the capacity they sell it for $100 dollars more. Complete Bull S**t. Apple you can lick my Dam balls.

[ifonemaniac]

Originally Posted by badass1469

Apple you can lick my Dam balls.

Your prose is eloquent.

[awesomeiPod]

Interesting...I could get a 500GB iPod touch and use it as a drive.

[kaaroFC]

Wow i didn't know that the price of the memory was so low...why is there such big difference between 16-32gb models then...>.<