In a rare turn of events Apple's iPod classic seems to be running low in Apple's first and third party retail channels. Apple Bitch has reported that shipping times for Apple's ageing iPod have slipped to as much as 2-4 weeks on Amazon.com.
Apple's own website continues to list 24 hour shipping times for the iPod classic but several of Apple's third party retailers such as J & R, Best Buy and Target show long waits for the classic.
Slipping shipping estimates for a product are a key sign that Apple is set to refresh a model but Apple has stuck to a strict timetable with iPod models and only updates them in September. In September 2010 when Apple refreshed the iPod lineup the classic was notably absent, sparking speculation about the demise of the model.
Mac Rumors speculates that Apple could upgrade the classic with a new 220GB hard drive which is available on the market now.