Flash memory

Flash memory is a form of non-volatile computer memory used within the computer & electronics industry. By nature, it can be erased and reprogrammed as needed, but does not require a constant source of power to maintain any stored data. This makes it exceptionally compact and portable, and has been used extensively in such applications as digital cameras, digital media players, mobile (cellular) phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable storage devices (memory sticks, pen-drives, thumb drives, etc.), game cartridges, and solid-state drives.

Description
Flash memory is considered to be virtually indestructible, and has been tested in a wide range of extreme conditions including temperature, water, pressure, and impact. While it certainly cannot be operated under such conditions, it does not lose data or introduce corruption. It is also able to write and retrieve data faster than optic-based storage methods (CD, DVD, etc.), and medium does not degrade from physical contact or UV exposure (as CDs and similar media do).

Usage in iPods
While flash memory storage is not unique to the iPod family, it has reinvigorated the relation the media player has to everyday life. The iPod shuffle was the first to integrate flash memory as its storage means, and the result was a unit that was remarkably small (approximately the size of a pack of gum) and resistant to impact damage. It immediately appealed to those in high-impact applications or who desired a very small footprint.

Real success with flash memory was realized with the introduction of the iPod nano. Marrying the size and shape of the highly-successful iPod mini line to flash memory overcame nearly every shortcoming that befell the mini model. Further improvements to the features of the iPod nano and the capacity of the memory storage itself resulted in a model that has become a true market leader for Apple, leading to the adoption of flash memory in iPads, iPhones, and Macs.