iSuppli: Apple iCloud could affect NAND Flash market

Apple's upcoming iCloud service could have a negative effect on the NAND Flash market says IHS iSuppli. The market research firm suggests a change from phone and computer-based storage to online storage could lessen demand for flash memory in the future. Of course, iCloud in its current from is a sync service, but this could easily change to a streaming and storage service in the future.

This iCloud effect won't be felt immediately. Apple is expected to scoop up 30% of the available supply of NAND flash memory in 2011 and should keep its position as the world's largest buyer of NAND flash memory for the next several years.

As consumers gradually move their digital libraries online, the demand for on-device storage could decrease by as much as 100 GB per user. This drop could have a serious impact on NAND flash suppliers like Samsung or Toshiba.

[Via Digitimes]