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Its brief absence, Apple explains, was simply due to the fact that it sold out over Christmas and supplies are still limited. The UK store states that it will be back in stock later this month.

Piper Jaffray analyst and Apple watcher Gene Munster believes that rather than scrap the shuffle Apple will unveil an enhanced version at the Macworld Expo next week and that the current shortage is a clue.

'We believe this is a sign that a new shuffle is coming at Macworld; otherwise Apple would likely have refilled the channel,' he wrote in note to investors.

'We believe a new shuffle will have similar capacity to existing shuffles, but a slightly different form factor and potentially a small screen.'

In common with most other observers, Munster also believes Apple CEO Steve Jobs will introduce its first Intel-based Macs during his Expo keynote.

'We believe there is a good chance that we will see some form of consumer focused Intel-based Mac at Macworld, likely an iBook and/or Mac mini,' he wrote.

He also expects extended iTunes video content - possibly including full-length movies.