Apple Inc.'s popular iPod has been dubbed by many as the gadget to get for 2007, and new research shows that consumers have the same sentiment. The firm sold as many as 24-25 million iPods during the first two months of its December quarter, according to one research analyst.

While it is too early to make a definitive call on December quarter iPod results, we have analyzed the first two months of NPD data (October and November) for the quarter and found that it suggests iPod units of 24m-25m, said Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster.

The analysts projects iPod unit shipments December to be upward of 23.5 million, while Wall Street consensus of estimates 23 million.

We see this as a positive data point, and we note that we have conservatively factored in an average monthly contribution for October of 15 percent and November of 27 percent vs. the 3-year average of 12 percent and 24 percent, respectively, due to the innovative new iPods released in September, Munster said.

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