Third Nano model coming?

Apple is reportedly and does not expect to replenish it until mid-January.

The report says that for a 1GB iPod nano to be successful in the digital music player market, Apple would need to price the player aggressively at the $150 price point, which may sacrifice the company's profit margines. One analyst told the publication that retail pricing "may be tough" at $150 price point, but that Apple has proven that customers are willing to pay for style over storage capacity. Apple may also reduce pricing on its rumored redesigned Shuffles, as AppleInsider notes that Apple could market its second-generation 512MB iPod shuffle for as little as $80, while sustaining its industry-leading profit margins.

The same report says that Apple is now shipping more than 100,000 Nanos each day, despite shortages of the popular player that have forced users to pay more than retail on auction sites such as eBay. Although it is unclear how long the company has been able to produce such quantities, the production rate would amount approximately 9 million units in the December quarter, according to the report. Earlier this quarter, Apple shipped its 30 millionth iPod and estimates call for it ship as many as 14 million iPods this quarter, although some have lowered their estimates following holiday iPod shortages.

by MacNN Staff