Demand for Apple's just-launched iPod range has been high with ongoing stock shortages expected in the reseller channel.
The most anticipated product has been the iPod touch, featuring a multi-touch user interface, similar to the iPhone, enabling users to find and listen to movies and video on a widescreen display. Users can expect to pay $419 for an 8GB model and $549 for 16GB.
The new nano has a two-inch display and enhanced user interface with video playback, which means users can watch movies or music videos in the same resolution as on the iPod Video. The classic iPod comes in 80GB and 160GB versions that can hold music, video, photos, pod casts and games.
Academy Store managing director, Ben Morgan, said the new range was one of the most exciting announcements from Apple in three years. He was expecting high turnover this Christmas.
"The nano has been improved beyond expectations," he said. "We sold clear of all stock that we took delivery of and have placed a considerable number of back orders for it."
"The iPod touch is going to be an absolute killer this Christmas. Wi-Fi integration into the product enables users to connect to wireless networks and its all relevant technology that consumers have been demanding."
Morgan said he did not expect to see stock for the iPod touch for a few weeks.
"We have pre-ordered 1000 units for our first shipment. So we're expecting some pretty high numbers," he said. "We are still very concerned Apple will be opening its own store in Sydney, which is going to pose its own challenges, but the market is growing."
Simms International managing director, Danny Moore, claimed to have picked up a fair share of iPod business since Brisbane distie, Cellnet, was dropped by Apple.
"The new nanos are just starting to come through now and it's been coming slowly. We're not able to meet all of the demand at the moment, but that is typical when there is a major release from Apple," Moore said.
Express Online general manager, Alison McQuarrie, had received a lot of positive feedback about the new iPod range from customers. The Web-only distributor had already received two shipments.
"With it being a worldwide release we don't get all the stock we want but it's looking quite good," she said. "Customers are being supplied within 24 hours of us receiving them."