Type of Article: MacNews News Article

The iPad — due to go on sale in the US on April 3 — may create tight supply of NAND flash and delay the transition to solid-state drives (SSD) in PCs, according to sources from hard drive makers.

As reported by “DigiTimes” (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100304PD218.html), has a chance of making its recently-announced iPad product a significant market for NAND flash memory in 2010. Apple consumes almost one-third of total NAND flash output, and could tighten supply again with the potential success of the iPad, the sources told “DigiTimes.”

Critics are questioning the Alberta government’s decision to spend more than $200,000 to hand out free iPod touches to passengers on a promotional train during the recent Winter Olympic Games, reports the “Global Calgary” (http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/technology/Alberta+Olympic+iPod+giveaway+touches+nerve/2641667/story.html)

“It’s a little bit over the top to spend that much money handing out free iPods,” NDP Leader Brian Mason told the publication. “I just feel a little bit annoyed that my tax dollars went to provide a great party to people I don’t even know.”