Apple Reports Earnings Jump But Can It Continue?

Apple yesterday reported that fiscal third-quarter profits were up a robust 47.5% from the same quarter last year dues to increased iPod and Macintosh sales.

But with Microsoft and others (including perhaps Amazon and Google) jumping into the digital market can the growth continue?  Some signs point to a possible new high capacity Apple Nano as a category leader, but would that be enough to fight of the growing competition.

Q4 is all important and Apple and the competition are sure to be aiming all their artillery in that direction.