I suspect total iPod shipments will more than exceed 4 million units this quarter. Apple's toughest challenge is drying up retail and distribution channel inventory of the products ahead of new model releases.

More like 5-6 million.

I was thinking about the drying up of channels issue. If the only improvement in 20/40GBytes iPod is battery then they can just distribute this once the original version sold out. I am assuming no change in prices.

As for iPod mini, if there are changes in color then it will be tricky. Otherwise, same way as above.

Here's a thought. Sell millions of iPods and then suddenly discontinue all support for Windows. C'mon, it's funny! Millions upon millions faced with switching to the Mac to keep the iTMS and iTunes. Sure they could rip their own. But . . . and that is a BIG but! ! !

(what goes around comes around Uncle Bill)

The richest man in the world is the champion of mediocrity. Very sad.

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Anonymous wrote:
Here's a thought. Sell millions of iPods and then suddenly discontinue all support for Windows. C'mon, it's funny! Millions upon millions faced with switching to the Mac to keep the iTMS and iTunes.

This is no longer a Mac v. Windows environment. The big battle is for the avenue for delivery of content over the 'Net and wireless channels. It's now a QuickTime v. WMP war and the more Windows users who download iTunes the more QuickTime installations Apple has available for the delivery of content.

Agree with Dawn. Is not a platform war between Mac and Windows.

Is QuickTime vs WMP as the delivery format for digital media over internet, satellite and wireless channels.

The prize is not just the licensing fees of using QT, also cuts from embedding shopping too. Ofc, for Apple, increased platform/QT streaming server/QT applications (e.g. FCP) sales.

Try the roast beef and please tip the wait staff!
I've seen QT from its earliest stage.. Better doesn't mean acceptance. I work with very intelligent people who still use the terms "Macintoy" and "Smackintush" (toddlers can write P.O.s).
However, I've heard normally clueless sales guys talking about iPods. They use a Dell as a tool. They care little about brand. OS X might be a Will Smith alien film sequel. They don't care. I had a rare opportunity to show an executive what a Mac can do. I showed him the iMac G5. He was FLOORED. Hope lives?

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... Frost & Sullivan's research indicated that QuickTime is running nearly neck and neck with Windows Media Player. QuickTime currently has 36.8% of the market, while Windows has 38.2% of the market. Real Player is in third place with 24.9% of the market ...