Varisys isn´t the only customer, who is still using that chip, wich is far from outdated if you look beyond the PC and smartphone market. Apple has signed a contract when they bought PA-Semi. AEON won´t sell many X1000s, so Varisys could easily stock a supply that is enough for - say 5 years - enough time to plan for the furure.
No. There is no contract that requires Apple to continue to supply the PA6T.
Apple promised that it would be available till at least 2011 and possibly as long as 2013.
But PA Semi is a fab-less design firm and it appears that production of the processor has ceased.
No one knows how many of these chips remain, but all firm that formerly created hardware with the PA6T (including Varisys) have removed the processor fro their web pages and no longer recommend it for new designs.
And no one has a firm idea of where A-eon obtain their CPUs in the first place as there have been conflicting statements made about this.
Personally, I really like the design of the X10000, so I hope Trevor has a good supply of PA6Ts on hand.