We don't want to alarm you but according to research firm Gartner, the launching of the a flash-based iPods with 10GB to12GB later this year could cause a shortage of NAND flash memory. Gartner predicts a shortage of flash supply of 5.8% by the 4th quarter. Previously, the research firm predicted a shortage of approximately 3-4%. "We're expecting a more severe shortage," said Gartner.

The existence of the said iPod model has not been confirmed by Apple, but according to a top exec of an iPod manufacturer, the company is close to unveiling the next generation of itsiPod featuring a "none-touch" concept. It is also not known if the new iPod will feature more than 4GB of flash. Nevertheless Gartner thinks handheld music players led by Apple's iPod will drive growth of the NAND flash market in the second half of this year. 

But there's really no reason to panic. We think civilization as we know it will survive the Great Flash Memory Depression of 2006.

The battle between PCs and Macs continues to be lopsided with Apple on the losing end. According to data from research firm Gartner, PC shipments totaled 57 million units worlwide in the first quarter of 2006, a 13.1% increase. Meanwhile, Apple's slice of the global pie slipped from 2.2 percent to a mere 2.0 percent.

Apple's share of the personal computer market in the United States isn't moving up either. It remains relatively flat at 3.6% but down from 3.8% in the first quarter of 2005. On the other hand, overall PC shipments in the U.S. shot up 7.4% to 16.4 million units during the first quarter of 2006.

There is one bright spot for Apple. Potential Mac buyers are thought to be holding out for the new Intel-based models that had yet to come to market. The company could begin to realize some share gains later this year once all of its PC offerings are readily available with Intel processors.