``Apple`s current player controller partner is PortalPlayer, which provides a similar ARM-based SoC product that supports a variety of transports, including Firewire, USB and Bluetooth, and include memory, LCD and other controllers in addition to the audio stuff. PortalPlayer`s chips can also control Flash storage.``

IMO...the only reason that Apple went with an ARM core provider(PortalPlayer)....is because Apple is one of the original developers of ARM.....Now after building up Portalplayer to a fever pitch....they pull the rug out from under them.

We`re now watching Intel sell off an ARM core(Xscale) processor division...

Are we headed for a consolidation in processor/SOC architecture ?

doni