lick, you are off base and apparently enjoy trying to put words into my mouth. Read how portalplayer was a non-event in the design of the ipod...then tell me it was all Apple`s doing.

PortalPlayer `Well Positioned` After IPod Success

07.14.05, 11:46 AM ET

After a strong earnings report from Apple Computer (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) on Wednesday, Credit Suisse First Boston reiterated an ``outperform`` rating and $25 price target on shares of PortalPlayer (nasdaq: PLAY - news - people ). ``PortalPlayer remains well positioned in 2005 with a significant unit growth opportunity in hard-disk-drive-based media players.`` The iPod supplier will post second-quarter earnings on July 25. ``We believe Apple shipped 4 million hard-drive-based iPod’s, closer to our 4.3 million unit estimate for PortalPlayer than expected. We also believe Apple built inventory to stock the new color iPods and expand its distribution channel, allowing PortalPlayer to post modest upside to our slightly above consensus estimate of $44.5 million and 25 cents per share,`` reasoned CSFB. The research firm stated that inventory, demand and market share are healthy for PortalPlayer. ``Our online channel checks of leading retailers shows PortalPlayer designs occupying 55 of 90 top-selling device positions, up four from April.`` The design total is the highest for PortalPlayer since CSFB began the survey in the fourth quarter of 2004. ``Apple hinted at innovative music products ahead, which we continue to believe will arrive in late August/early September as a high-end flash player and significantly boost PortalPlayer’s second-half revenue opportunity.``