'flash microchip' shortage...?

[Trevor Page]

Hi synth folk,

Listening to the radio just now, I was rather amused to hear this 'headline'
story about how there's going to be a mad shortage of three particular types
of children's toy, which are very much in demand... because of a shortage of
'flash microchip' that these three toys use! I was rather intregued by
this...

Out of curiosity, anyone got any thoughts as to what device this could
actually be? One of the AVR flash programmeable mpu's possibly? I know they
can be difficult to get hold of, judging by comments from other folk on the
list. But I'd personally have thought mass marked products like electronic
kiddies toys would tend to use custom microprocessors, I dunno.

Apparently the mystery IC manufacturer is limiting quantities to 'keep the
prices up'.

Trev



=========

Trevor Page BEng (Hons)