By 2008, 100 million Windows users will own iPods, according to a leading Wall Street analyst.

Charles Wolf, a Needham analyst, predicted this dramatic increase in Mac sales will occur following the speculated release of Apple flash-based iPods.

Although Apple have refrained from confirming information about their release, reports have suggested that the new flash-based iPods will be available sometime in late January/early February, which will prove the catalyst for financial success according to Charles Wolf.

Mr Wolf said: “Although we expect hard drive players to capture an increasing share of the portable music player market, flash players should dominate the market through 2006.

“We’re forecasting iPod sales of 23.5 million units in 2006,” Mr Wolf added before revealing: “Our analysis indicates that the installed base of portable music players could approach 500 million by 2010, equivalent to a seven per cent penetration rate of the worlds population.”

Apple stores are set to generate approximately $1.2 billion this year.