Apple Struggles With iPod, iPhone Sales IssuesApple Struggles With iPod, iPhone Sales Issues

Just days ago, it seemed that Apple could do no wrong. But now critics are coming out of the woodwork, worrying about slowing iPod sales growth and stacks of iPhones that could be languishing in AT&T stores. The stock has been hammered, but I wouldn't count Apple out yet.According to US News & World Report, iPod sales growth is slowing even as Mac sales continue to soar.

Meanwhile, CNET mathemeticians are calculating that iPhones are piling up at AT&T stores: "Apple said on Tuesday that it sold 3.7 million iPhones in 2007. But AT&T said Thursday that it ended 2007 with around 2 million iPhone customers." Figure another 400,000 in Europe, and yet another 20%, or 740,000, that were bought to be unlocked, and we're still short more than half a million of the fancy devices. Apparently, they're all sitting on shelves in stores around the world.

Despite trouble with iPhones and iPods, though, Apple still has high hopes for the iPod Touch, with Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook telling analysts the device should become "the very first mainstream WiFi mobile platform."

Our own Alan Zeichick believes that with the addition of mail capablity, "all the functionality" is there for smaller companies. I agree -- and it's a lot smaller and cheaper than the MacBook Air I really want.