Weak iPod Nano Sales?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Digitimes is reporting (http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20060320PR202.html) that "with weaker-than-expected iPod nano sales this year", Samsung had been dumping excess NAND flash stock. Meanwhile, SanDisk has been adding additional pressure with aggressive pricing of their NAND flash products.

[yankeefan24]

wow. i thought the nano was a really good seller. Even though i think the video sold better, it still says that it is the #1 seller on store.apple.com.

Scroll down to top sellers or something in the middle of the page on the left.

[rockthecasbah]

if this is true, they probably will increase when the next revisions come around aka larger storage capacity. Right now i think they might be a little high for many :)

[Queso]

From experience, Digitimes are usually wrong. Take this with a pinch of salt.

[SFVCyclone]

I just bought one this friday and so did my girlf friend. That adds two to the sales numbers. I hope it helps:)

[puckhead193]

i think its not selling as well is because of the size. 4 GB or about 1,000 songs. many people who have a mini have larger music collection the 4 GB. Also if you look at the price, for 30 gig isn't that more plus it plays video.

[devilot]

Also if you look at the price, for 30 gig isn't that more plus it plays video.I don't know about that though... In the past, I'm pretty sure Apple had similar price differences between different iPods and they all still sold.

I think it was all that negative press about the scratching. That and the fact that the Nano probably feels too tiny in a lot of peoples' hands.

[Abulia]

i think its not selling as well is because of the size. 4 GB or about 1,000 songs. many people who have a mini have larger music collection the 4 GB. Also if you look at the price, for 30 gig isn't that more plus it plays video.Yea, the nano replaced the mini at the same pricepoint. So you got 2GB less storage than the mini and worse battery life...?

Why exactly was I supposed to "upgrade" from my mini?

nano sales will take off as soon as the nano at least matches the previous generation (the mini) in features.

[celebrian23]

I'm pretty surprised if this is true. The only reason I don't like nanos is that it's too small- I'd be afraid it'd accidently slip out of something without me noticing.

[Savage Henry]

Yea, the nano replaced the mini at the same pricepoint. So you got 2GB less storage than the mini and worse battery life...?

Why exactly was I supposed to "upgrade" from my mini?

nano sales will take off as soon as the nano at least matches the previous generation (the mini) in features.

Ditto that ... I'll ubuy the nano when it eventually catches up with the mini I bought for my lady nearly 2 years ago ...

[XIII]

Digitimes also reported we would have our PB and iBook G5's.. I'm still waiting.. :) Take this with a bucket of salt.

[runninmac]

Ah my heart skipped a few beats (because I'm a share holder) then I read it was from Digitimes and I was thinking "Oh thank god! Apples sellling a $#!t load". Gotta love their track record:rolleyes:

[RichP]

Yea, the nano replaced the mini at the same pricepoint. So you got 2GB less storage than the mini and worse battery life...?

Why exactly was I supposed to "upgrade" from my mini?

nano sales will take off as soon as the nano at least matches the previous generation (the mini) in features.

I really like my nano, more so than my gfs mini. That being said, most of my friends with the mini really like that form factor, the fact that it was aluminum, and in color, and other mini-ish things. Nano really is a proper successor to the Shuffle than the mini.

[longofest]

Digitimes also reported we would have our PB and iBook G5's.. I'm still waiting.. :) Take this with a bucket of salt.

My rule is, if digitimes reported it, then the reverse must be true ;). don't take any stock in this report... It's on page 2 for a reason.

[jamdr]

I wouldn't be surprised if this was true, although I'm not sure that it is. However, the fact that Apple introduced the 1GB model kind of leads me to believe it is.

I thought Apple kind of dropped the ball with the Nano. People LOVED the Minis--the different colors, the size, the battery life (2nd gen) and storage capacity. The Nano kind of went against all of that. They should have kept the colors (blue, green, pink, white or black or both). They shouldn't have reduced the storage capacity from 4-6GB to 2-4GB. People don't want to pay the same for less. And there was a ton of bad press about the scratching. One great thing about the Minis was that they were so durable and very hard to scratch!

[XIII]

My rule is, if digitimes reported it, then the reverse must be true ;). don't take any stock in this report... It's on page 2 for a reason.

Apple is selling ground breaking numbers of iPod nano's! ;) :D

[evilgEEk]

I wouldn't say Nano sales are "weak", but I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't as strong as expected due to 5G iPod Sales. Yeah, there's always been the low-end and high-end iPods, but the fact that the 5G iPod plays video makes it much more desireable. An extra 150 bucks for 30 gigs and the ability to play videos would sway quite a few people, I think.

It did me. ;)

[bigandy]

"dumping" stock?

of NAND memory?

yeah right. selling to others, maybe, but not dumping!?!??? :confused:

[macdong]

Yea, the nano replaced the mini at the same pricepoint. So you got 2GB less storage than the mini and worse battery life...?

Why exactly was I supposed to "upgrade" from my mini?

nano sales will take off as soon as the nano at least matches the previous generation (the mini) in features.


well, it's got a color screen ;)

[MacSA]

Digitimes = Total BS

[sdavis8888]

The article also shows prices for 8 GB flash modules, which have apparently dropped to below the price level of 4 GB flash modules from 3 months ago. At this price you would expect that Apple would introduce an 8 GB Nano soon. This gives people a reason to go to the Nano as it would finally have a larger capacity than a Mini. 2,000 songs is a significant amount of music. Maybe a Mini upgrade in April?

[MrTchMan]

I plan on buying one for my girlfriend but I might wait until the new Ipods are announced. If they are???

[mjstew33]

The article also shows prices for 8 GB flash modules, which have apparently dropped to below the price level of 4 GB flash modules from 3 months ago. At this price you would expect that Apple would introduce an 8 GB Nano soon. This gives people a reason to go to the Nano as it would finally have a larger capacity than a Mini. 2,000 songs is a significant amount of music. Maybe a Mini upgrade in April?
Very interesting.

I'd buy one at 8GB.

[ipacmm]

The article also shows prices for 8 GB flash modules, which have apparently dropped to below the price level of 4 GB flash modules from 3 months ago. At this price you would expect that Apple would introduce an 8 GB Nano soon. This gives people a reason to go to the Nano as it would finally have a larger capacity than a Mini. 2,000 songs is a significant amount of music. Maybe a Mini upgrade in April?

I could see apple updating the Nano line to 8GB, 4GB, 2GB...I really don't know who would buy the 1GB Nano...it just seems like next to no songs on it.

[Abulia]

Very interesting.

I'd buy one at 8GB.Well, I'd consider it. Battery life would have to be addressed. Heck, I'd be happy with a 6GB nano; that at least achieves parity with my Mini.

[Leoff]

Yea, the nano replaced the mini at the same pricepoint. So you got 2GB less storage than the mini and worse battery life...?

Why exactly was I supposed to "upgrade" from my mini?

nano sales will take off as soon as the nano at least matches the previous generation (the mini) in features.

Well, let's see... just off the top of my head:

1) Smaller form factor. For those who bought the mini because it was physically smaller than the regular iPod, there should be more satisfied customers for the even smaller profile.

2) Color Screen. Something small and insignificant to some, others think it's a nice touch.

3) Ability to hold/display photos. An additional selling point.

4) Flash Memory. More reliable and faster access times than mini hard drives.

[StarbucksSam]

I think the nano is TOO small... sort of.

I would consider buying one if an 8GB version came out with 18 hour battery life. I would also consider less than that, but that's my ideal. 6 GB seems like such a small upgrade for me - I am pushing 4 and I don't think it would last me long enough.

[Abulia]

1) Smaller form factor. For those who bought the mini because it was physically smaller than the regular iPod, there should be more satisfied customers for the even smaller profile.I like the mini size just fine. As others have said, the nano is almost "too small." Also, the pastic form factor has a "cheap" feel and appearance and holds fingerprints way too easily.2) Color Screen. Something small and insignificant to some, others think it's a nice touch.Excellent. Reduces battery life so you can see the title/artist in full color. Also see bad press re: the color display screen and scratching issues, none of which were an issue with the mini.3) Ability to hold/display photos. An additional selling point.Not sure what Joe User uses their iPod for, but for me it's a portable music player, not a photo album.4) Flash Memory. More reliable and faster access times than mini hard drives.Yet holds less and with a shorter total run time. Reliable is something of a subjective term I suppose; I'm not aware of any widespread failures of mini hard drives.

What's really interesting is that they go from a moving hard drive to entirely solid-state and battery life worsens. Moving in the wrong direction, Apple.

Those are just off the top of my head, though. :)

[bloodycape]

I know Sandisk is planning to bring out a 6gig flash player.at a comeptive price since they are suppling their own memory. If anything aplle will be going 6gig in the nano as 8gig and more can be costly and I don't think many people will pay 300 for a 8 or even 10gig nano when you can get the ipod at the same price with more space.

[celebrian23]

I think that's the biggest issue- the pricing. I'd LOVE an 8 GB nano, but I'd rather pay a little more for a 30GB ipod.

[StarbucksSam]

I think that's the biggest issue- the pricing. I'd LOVE an 8 GB nano, but I'd rather pay a little more for a 30GB ipod.

I dunno. Between a 249 8 gig nano and a 299 30 gig video... I might take the nano... based on what I need, not price.

[celebrian23]

I'm thinking how the average customer would think. Which is value for your money. Though I see your point too. I guess from apple's standpoint it's what is going to be the most lucrative for us.

[timswim78]

Yea, the nano replaced the mini at the same pricepoint. So you got 2GB less storage than the mini and worse battery life...?

Why exactly was I supposed to "upgrade" from my mini?

nano sales will take off as soon as the nano at least matches the previous generation (the mini) in features.

Yea, I'm at a bit of a loss here. I want something that is small, and has a pretty decent capacity. The mini was perfect for my tastes.

I no longer like the choices that Apple offers:
- The nano has too small of a capacity, especially for its price
- The regular ipods are larger than what I would like to use.

[dashiel]

load of crap. apple doesn't release ipod sales by model. all you get is they sold X million ipods per quarter. i don't think i've ever seen a breakdown about sales per model from anyone, including apple.

[tk421]

Well, with all this talk of the Nano being inferior to the mini, I sure see a lot of Nanos on my college campus.

I also know a guy that has both a Nano and a video iPod. He prefers the Nano and uses it most of the time.

For myself, I'd rather have a full-size iPod, but that's because my music library is too large for a Nano (It's getting too large for my 15 gig iPod). But my wife, who listens to less music than I do, wants a Nano more than anything else.

[stingerman]

Don't forget that Samsung was counting on an exclusive deal for Apple's Nano flash business, but the deal was scuttled due to complaints from competitors within Korea. Apple then took the opportunity to second source the Flash memory from two other vendors as well as Samsung. So Samsung received a smaller portion of the order, while Apple built up a larger supplier base.

Recall Apple was going to make a 2 to 3 Billion dollar investment in Samsung that was scuttled in the last minute. So the Samsung news is more about the exclusive deal that they lost. Apple of course comes out the winner enjoying reduced flash costs. This will be huge to their bottom line.

[Marlon_JBT]

DigiTimes is at it again!!! :rolleyes:

The iPod nano sells itself. People seem to love these things and with the introduction of the 1GB nano @ $129, it's a battle to keep them in stock.

Meanwhile, we've had a ton of the iPod for a long time... nobody wants them. At all. However, if you're going for a 4GB nano, it makes much more sense to get the iPod. 30GB for just a couple dollars more.

(However, I wish I had thought of that back in July... I could have had twice the capacity for $100 more. oh well...)

[MacEffects]

wow. i thought the nano was a really good seller. Even though i think the video sold better, it still says that it is the #1 seller on store.apple.com.

Scroll down to top sellers or something in the middle of the page on the left.

Well, I think that a lot of the sales from the iPods are from stores locally and non Apple Retail Stores. Either that or Apple is making that up
:rolleyes: . Well, I am glad my DashMini wasn't made for the iPod Nana :D :p :cool:

[johnbro23]

Has Digitimes ever posted accurate information? To my knowledge, they haven't posted any Apple related rumor/speculation that was true. I'm not sure why MacRumors even gives them a Page 2 story. :rolleyes:

[iMeowbot]

Whether or not there is a nano connection, there really goes seem to be a glut of flash out there. Prices have been dropping quickly.

[adamfilip]

Sales of the nano are down to 6 million units a day from the expected 6.05 a day.

analysts expect apple to go under any minute.. SELL SELL!!

[ACW]

Yea, the nano replaced the mini at the same pricepoint. So you got 2GB less storage than the mini and worse battery life...?

Why exactly was I supposed to "upgrade" from my mini?

nano sales will take off as soon as the nano at least matches the previous generation (the mini) in features.

With 14 million sales in the last quarter of 2005 I think its safe to say sales have already took off, the problem now is, who dosnt own one?. So many people got one last year the market isn't as large as it was.

[BenRoethig]

I wouldn't be surprised if this was true, although I'm not sure that it is. However, the fact that Apple introduced the 1GB model kind of leads me to believe it is.

I thought Apple kind of dropped the ball with the Nano. People LOVED the Minis--the different colors, the size, the battery life (2nd gen) and storage capacity. The Nano kind of went against all of that. They should have kept the colors (blue, green, pink, white or black or both). They shouldn't have reduced the storage capacity from 4-6GB to 2-4GB. People don't want to pay the same for less. And there was a ton of bad press about the scratching. One great thing about the Minis was that they were so durable and very hard to scratch!

Exactly right. There was a 2gb reduction on both price points from the Mini. Mac users are willing to accept that in favor of a thinner design and a color screen. The vast majority of others aren't, they see it as a downgrade. Apple should have waited until they could at least matched the Mini's capacity or sell the Mini for another revision before merging the lines.

[celebrian23]

I thought the mini was the only ipod you could run with, am I wrong? My friend told me this, and I know the ipod can't be run with (jiggling the hardware i believe) but I was unsure about the nano.

[devilot]

I thought the mini was the only ipod you could run with, am I wrong? My friend told me this, and I know the ipod can't be run with (jiggling the hardware i believe) but I was unsure about the nano.The mini still uses a hard drive (which is what people worry about jostling) whereas both the Shuffle and the Nano use flash memory-- no such worry.

But plenty of people have done rigorous exercising w/ iPods that use hard drives w/out failure anyway. YMMV.

[Gasu E.]

I just bought one this friday and so did my girlf friend. That adds two to the sales numbers. I hope it helps:)

It did help. A lot. Hence the problem.:(

[macdong]

I thought the mini was the only ipod you could run with, am I wrong? My friend told me this, and I know the ipod can't be run with (jiggling the hardware i believe) but I was unsure about the nano.

sometimes i tie my iPod (3G) on my arm with an arm band when i am playing basketball alone.
it runs with me, jumps with me, and sometimes gets hit by the ball.
but it never complains :)

[student_trap]

sorry but in my opinion the nano is the worst ipod ever. Its far to thin for its width, most people i have spoken to have said they thought it too fragile, and of course its scratching problem, which became such a big issue that even those who know little about apple know about how easily their 'new' ipod scratches! It has a smaller battery life and smaller capacity.

its one redeeming feature...flash memory, which makes me wonder why they couldn't have simply revamped the mini using flash memory?

All the others are great devices, shame about the nano.

[Ish]

. . . However, if you're going for a 4GB nano, it makes much more sense to get the iPod. 30GB for just a couple dollars more.

(However, I wish I had thought of that back in July... I could have had twice the capacity for $100 more. oh well...)

Bought a 30GB ipod recently after much deliberating then found I couldn't bend right down or work with it in my pocket. Yes, the extra memory is good, but if the size means you don't use it as much, it's better to go for something physically smaller and choose what to put on it. Did a complicated deal with a friend and now have a 4GB black nano instead. Wrapped it in invisible shield and now it lives in my pocket.

When they first came out I thought they were too small, but my perception must have changed as I got used to them. Think that, unless you have large hands, they're just right.

Extra memory in the nano would be great. I'd personally not worry about how much extra memory I could get for my money if I had a full-sized ipod because I had one and it wasn't right for me.

[kretzy]

This is a bit surprising, but as others have said, the high end Nano isn't that much cheaper than the 30GB.

[milo]

I could see apple updating the Nano line to 8GB, 4GB, 2GB...I really don't know who would buy the 1GB Nano...it just seems like next to no songs on it.

Probably the same people that buy shuffles. Even on the 1 gig, your batteries will run out before you hear all the music.

I wouldn't believe this until I hear it from a real source, like Apple insider. I bet nano sales are just fine.

[aussie_geek]

I do agree that the Nano's current capacities could be increased - maybe up to 8 gig but the prices must be reduced. The shuffles should all be well under $100 au and also be marketed as an Apple flash drive - that's pretty much what I use my 1 gig shuffle for.

The one thing about the Nano is it's portability. You can put it in your top shirt pocket and not even realise it's there - perfect for the 45 min trip to work on the train. Battery life can be an issue unless you set your backlight timer to one of the lower levels. I have so far used my Nano more that my 3rd generation ipod even when it was first introduced. Regular iPod's are just too big for my tastes.

I think the Nano should be the player that you put all of your current favourite songs on. Change them weekly etc... Your iPod is the player you take with you on a 2 hr or more roadtrip or planeflight where portability is not that paramount.


aussie_geek

[Tha_Sylent1]

I think the Nano should be the player that you put all of your current favourite songs on. Change them weekly etc... Your iPod is the player you take with you on a 2 hr or more roadtrip or planeflight where portability is not that paramount.


aussie_geek

Must be nice to have options....:rolleyes: :p

[the_wallcrawler]

I picked up a 1gb nano today that I will use strictly while exercising. My 30gb video will be my everyday workhorse. :D

[BakedBeans]

Same crap as the other week when it was the macbook pros selling poorly - then proven wrong

These things sell like hotcakes.