DigiTimes:
Apple has increased its purchases of DRAM and NAND flash from Japan, according to industry sources, adding that Toshiba and Elpida Memory are being pinpointed as beneficiaries of the increased procurement.
It’s a defensive move by Apple to reduce risk associated with buying flash memory from Samsung, with whom Apple is waging a legal battle in several international markets (over the similarities between iOS devices and Samsung’s Android-based Galaxy Tab devices).
It’s utterly ridiculous for some pundits and industry reporters to suggest this move is Apple “punishing” Samsung, but it just goes to show the general mentality of some of the people reporting on this market. The company is reducing risk by becoming less dependent on a potentially volatile component manufacturer – something you might expect to see a competently-managed company do to protect its supply chain.
People watching too many soap operas and thinking they have anything to do with the real world.
Or just that corporations have the same imaginative capacity as your average blog commenter (hi there!).
Another argument I’ve seen is that Apple is afraid that Samsung might threaten them to stop supplying the silicon.
That is simply not going to happen: Firstly, Samsungs divisions work independently, secondly, the penalties for breach of contract simply aren’t worth it.
I agree with Peter’s assessment: This move is one of the things I expect Cook to do.