Here's even more evidence that the iPhone is coming to Verizon. Apple reportedly has boosted shipments of the popular device to as many as 21 million units during the first quarter of next year, with five to six million of the units slated to be CDMA devices, according to DigiTimes which cited unnamed sources at Taiwanese component makers. CDMA is the wireless networking standard used by Verizon.

In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that a new CDMA-based iPhone would be coming to Verizon in January.

Apple originally planned to ship 19 million units in the first quarter, according to DigiTimes. Apple sold 14.1 million iPhones last quarter and is expected to sell just north of 15 million during the fourth quarter, according to Ars Technica.

Interestingly, today's report in DigiTimes comes just a few days after Microsoft disclosed initial shipment numbers for its Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system. The company said it shipped 1.5 million units to its partners during the first six weeks of sales.

Of course, Microsoft has a long way to go to compete with Apple in the smartphone market. And Apple's reported partnership with Verizon could boost sales even further. (Microsoft has said that CDMA versions of its phones also are coming early next year).

Achim Berg laid out an early report card on the progress thus far. The vice president of business and marketing for Windows Phones disclosed that the company has sold more than 1.5 million devices through its handset partners in the first six weeks. That's not quite enough to make a serious dent in the market share of Apple's iPhone or Google's Android. But Berg noted that it is not so much a sprint as a marathon.

We know we have tough competition, and this is a completely new product. We’re in the race – it’s not a sprint but we are certainly gaining momentum and we’re in it for the long run.

Nonetheless, Microsoft said that it is committed to a long, hard battle

"We’re comfortable with where we are, and we are here for the long run; Windows Phone 7 is just the beginning," said Microsoft marketing exec Achim Berg recently. "Our opportunity is to make sure people get to play with a Windows Phone. Once they do, they love it. This is very important for us."

The only problem is that -- if Apple ties up with Verizon -- more people than ever will also have the opportunity to play with an iPhone.

Previously on TechFlash: "Android surging as Microsoft tries to reverse its mobile slide."