When an Apple product becomes scarce in stores and online, it  isn't too long until talk of a product refresh hits the interwebz. This has been the way of things amongst the Apple faithful for time immemorial. With this in mind, let us talk of products in need of an overhaul, exasperating shipping times and iPod Classics.

We've been living with the sixth generation of what's now known as the iPod classic for over three years now--that's a long life cycle for an Apple product. In that time, the classic has served music lovers well, with an ample amount of hard drive space, its familiar click-wheel interface and time-tested operating system. That said, the device has been showing its age. The device is the last media player offered by Apple that still utilizes a physical hard drive instead of flash memory. If Apple's traditional pattern of making a product hard to come by just before updating it holds true this time around, the modernization of the iPod Classic could be upon us.

According to MacStories, a number of sources have noticed that iPod Classic ship times have gone up dramatically in the past while. For example, if you try to score an iPod Classic from Best Buy, you'll be waiting at least one to two weeks. Target has also indicated that the device is on back order for their customers as well; both Amazon and J&R have stated their supplies of the device are getting thin.

If Apple does opt to bring the iPod Classic into line with the rest of their iPod line by cramming it full of flash memory and iOS goodness, it will be the end of a market-shaping era. Until then, we wait with bated breath.

Follow this article's author, Seamus Bellamy on Twitter