iPod flash memory based models in January?

There is a well placed rumor right now, courtesty of AppleInsider, that Apple will begin producing flash memory based iPods in December for a late January or early February 2005 launch. AppleInsider reports that "though precise specifications were not readily available, the flash iPod will reportedly use controller chips from Austin, TX-based SigmaTel, and feature a storage capacity in the range of 256 Megabytes to 1 Gigabyte."

Apple has a huge chunk of the market share for hard drive based players already and, if this rumor holds true, they could quickly gain traction in the flash memory model category as well.

[link via Engadget]