I think the general counterargument is: killing off a product line simply to replace it with a relatively iterative model (that could have easily been iPod Mini

I think the general counterargument is: killing off a product line simply to replace it with a relatively iterative model (that could have easily been iPod Mini 2) is less a visionary move and more an attempt to double down by getting iPod Mini owners to quickly replace their mp3 players. (Not saying I agree with that particular argument, but it exists.)