If you've read the June's "Mac World", the editor had discussed the "problem" already. They tested the iPod Mini and figured out the actual time(w/ out backlight or games or anything, just plain music)with music shuffle is 26 HOURS and 16 MINUTES, pretty much impressive. So this way, there is no problems for the mini to have a 18 hours battery life with playing games, listenin music, reading, backlight etc.
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Apple is delicious but expensive, although expensive doesn't stop the real consumer of Apples