Apple Samsung joint investment deal on Flash Memory manufacturing in doubts

Apple Samsung joint investment deal on Flash Memory manufacturing in doubts

Apple Computers happen to be one of the largest customers for Samsung’s flash memory chip unit. So much so that it is said that the Macintosh maker is purchasing more than 40% of the total production of the South Korean tech giant. In fact, both these companies were rumored to be talking about a possible joint investment plan for manufacturing this flash memory together to power the next generation media players.

Apple makes popular music and video players in the form of their iPod range of devices. And they were rumored to be collaborating with Samsung in a joint $3.8 billion investment plan in flash chip production. However, the latest reports claim that the venture is now dropped. The Korea Economic Daily claimed in a news report: “Apple had proposed about 4 trillion won joint investment with Samsung Electronics in the production lines of NAND flash chips used for its MP3 players.”

It also quoted an unnamed official from the concerned company: “But as the anti-Samsung sentiment has recently deepened among some political and civic groups, Apple ended the talks, complaining about the sentiment.” Apple is now rumored to be in talks with another memory chipmaker for joint flash chip output in the United States. None of the companies has commented on this news rumor.