Apple iPod Supply Below Wall Street Shipping Estimates?

Mac News Network's ipodnn.com reports that investment research firm PiperJaffray issued a report today casting doubt on Apple's ability to reach Wall Street estimates of holiday season iPod shipments.

Reportedly, the iPod nano is in the shortest supply at third-party retailers and Apple is apparently holding inventory for its own stores at the expense of other retailers.

Based on its own models, PiperJaffray estimates 9.0 million iPod shipments in the December quarter, lower than other Wall Street estimates. PiperJaffray's research apparently included a survey of 10 Apple stores and 11 third-party retailers. Eight of the 10 had "full availability of all iPods".

While we do believe slight upside to our estimate is achievable, we do not expect Apple will be able to ship the number of units that are already anticipated in some Street models.