Flash memory-based iPods due early 2005

Rumours about Apple developing a line of iPods based on solid-state flash memory have been circulating for a bit.
Apple Insider provides some details about this third iPod variant, including the news that manufacturing on the new device may begin as early as December.

Though Apple holds about 92% of the market for hard drive-based music players, flash-based digital players make up a significant chunk of the global market as a whole, and have fared particularly well in the far east. Apple's share falls to 65% when the flash players are included in the analysis.

The iPod flash is expected to have an interface similar to the traditional iPod and iPod mini, and is estimated to retail for below $200 USD. Storage capacity will likely be between 256M and 1G. Units are expected to begin shipping in late January or early February.