It seems increasingly likely that Apple will drop Hard Disks from the next generation of iPods in favour of flash memory. The main reason cited is that even though flash memory is currently more expensive on a $/GB basis than hard disk drives, flash memory offers longer battery life thus enhancing the users experience.

According to Prudential Equity Group analyst Jesse Tortora:

“Apple currently offers 30GB and 80GB HDD-based models, and will have the option to increase storage capacity up to 120GB this year based on new perpendicular recording technology,” he wrote. “While the higher capacities would allow for more video storage, we view battery life as the key consideration for a move to flash.”

An additional benefit that flash memory has over HDD is of course size, the move to flash only iPods should bring us smaller form factor players.
One other interesting thing that Tortora raises is that he believes that the next generation of iPods will include GPS functionality, I didn’t think my nano could be any cooler than what it is now but GPS would be sweet.

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Filed under: gadgets, apple