$1 Billion Dollar iPod Business

[MacRumors]

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

NYTimes reports (http://nytimes.com/2006/02/03/technology/03ipod.html?hp&ex=1139029200&en=655a27a885417a3e&ei=5094) on the $1 billion dollar iPod accessory business:

Rarely does one product foster such a sizable industry around it. Many of the iPod accessory makers, like Belkin, Kensington or Logitech, cut their teeth making accessories for personal computers. But no one product, not even the Macintosh, created the kind of accessory mania that the iPod has.


Apple is increasing its participation in this market and also exerting more control with its "Made for iPod" logo licensing. Meanwhile, Apple remains tight lipped about the direction they are heading with the iPod. As a result, accessory makers pay close attention to the rumor sites to find out what's in the pipeline.

Belkin's director of Product Manangement was said to be listening to all the rumors leading up to Macworld San Francisco for any insight into which direction Apple may be heading.

[Lord Blackadder]

You have to wonder at the dizzying array of accessories available...and they pop up in the weirdest places. I saw a rack of iPod cases at a gas station once. Huh?!

[AJ Muni]

As a result, accessory makers pay close attention to the rumor sites to find out what's in the pipeline.

It does kinda suck apple is so quiet about releasing things...i hated to wait 2 months to get a decent case for my ipod video....

[rxse7en]

TYou have to wonder at the dizzsying array of accessoriese available.
Uh. OK. :rolleyes:


We may start seeing even more Apple-branded accessories in the near future. That's a big chunk o' change not to be capitalizing on.

B

[DMann]

It does kinda suck apple is so quiet about releasing things...i hated to wait 2 months to get a decent case for my ipod video....

This is ONLY the beginning. The transformation
has now begun. Wi-Fi, Safari, mobile OS X, and
iPod=mobile computer. The Newton
Newly Realized! ;)

[PlaceofDis]

its not surprising. the iPod is simple, the accessories make it feature-rich. its an expensive toy, so people don't mind spending even more money on cases and other accessories as well.

[nxent]

yeh i was surprised to see a USB adaptor for an ipod at an airport. crazy. who'd of thought? they're everywhere now. i remember when i first got the original back in 2001, no one had even heard of them. people were like 'WHOA!! what is that thing'; "it's an ipod, stores 5 gigs of music!", and they used to say "that's freakin' awesome, i want one". nowadays, they're everywhere. but i still have my original; people say "WHOA!! that thing's a brick! Only stores 5 gigs!?"

[TheMasin9]

i worked in a kiosk selling mostly ipod accesories for the holiday and my god, there was something new coming out every day. this is a great thing for apple and the ipods future.

[Lord Blackadder]

Uh. OK. :rolleyes:

Sorry, I was just trying to simulate what it would look like if I tried to type with my knuckles. :rolleyes: :D

[BornAgainMac]

Hi Belkin staff! No news yet. Check again later.

[nagromme]

The amount of iPod accessories is INSANE, and is a really tough hurdle for MS or anyone to overcome.

My Microcenter has the Macs AND the iPods hidden away in a back corner. But the iPod accessories? Front and center as you walk in.

Which serves indirectly as yet another kind of iPod advertising.

[mackeeper]

Frankly, I'm really sick of all the ipod accessories. I was in sharper image the other day and I saw an iChair. You plug your ipod into this chair and it plays your music. LAME!

I would like to see Apple tighten its grip. Finally...

[Koodauw]

Hi Belkin staff! No news yet. Check again later.

We have some good detectives here, how long tell they sniff them out?

[nxent]

The amount of iPod accessories is INSANE, and is a really tough hurdle for MS or anyone to overcome.

My Microcenter has the Macs AND the iPods hidden away in a back corner. But the iPod accessories? Front and center as you walk in.

Which serves indirectly as yet another kind of iPod advertising.


not really much apple can do, but you don't see them complaining. then again, i wouldn't either. the acceessories do pretty much fuel the fire and makes you wonder how and when it became so frenzied. as for ms, they've enjoyed the exact same success as apple's ipod only with their OS. 95% of the third party programs out there are and have been for windows for years so i really don't have much sympathy for them

[corywoolf]

yeh i was surprised to see a USB adaptor for an ipod at an airport. crazy. who'd of thought? they're everywhere now. i remember when i first got the original back in 2001, no one had even heard of them. people were like 'WHOA!! what is that thing'; "it's an ipod, stores 5 gigs of music!", and they used to say "that's freakin' awesome, i want one". nowadays, they're everywhere. but i still have my original; people say "WHOA!! that thing's a brick! Only stores 5 gigs!?"

I got mine in late 2002 (saved up money over the summer) and remember kids asking about it. A few people liked it, but most thought the headphones looked stupid and that I should get the "Cool" wrap around headphones everyone used with their CD players. Others asked why the iPod is so much better then a CD player (the screen was an obvious plus). To be honest, I didn't expect the iPod to get so big. I knew it was a gem, but when over half the people in classroom are listening to ipods at the same time... You know something went right. It feels like I have told this story a thousand times... :(

[Bob Knob]

Belkin's director of Product Manangement was said to be listening to all the rumors leading up to Macworld San Francisco for any insight into which direction Apple may be heading.

Wouldn't it be fun to organize a fake rumor about a new undocumented iPod "feature" only available via a "currently unmapped" set of pins on the dock connector. Imagine all of Belkin's wasted R&D dollars as they try to be the first to market a new -useless- accessory.

[floatingspirit]

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

NYTimes reports (http://nytimes.com/2006/02/03/technology/03ipod.html?hp&ex=1139029200&en=655a27a885417a3e&ei=5094) on the $1 billion dollar iPod accessory business:



Isn't it multi-billion? Can't we coount all the BMW's and other cars with iPod jacks as "accessories"? :cool: :D :cool:

[maya]

Personally I have never bought any iPod add-on, etc...yet. ;) :)

They will have to work hard for me to actually get interested in any of they products. ;) :D

[Dr. Dastardly]

$900,000,000 worth of that business is just stupid crap. :rolleyes:

[puckhead193]

Hi Belkin staff! No news yet. Check again later.

alright who works for belkin and who works for Griffin (you guys need to redesign the road trip so it a flexable metal arm thingy... like the microphones have on podiums) :p
$900,000,000 worth of that business is just stupid crap. :rolleyes:

the ipod flexable guy thing is not stupid crap..wait yes it is :p

[quigleybc]

All that money invested, and they still can't come out with a Case for the Nano that doesn't suck..

there's no way I'm gonna get those plastic wrap things, cuz something about applying a wet piece of plastic to an electronic device doesn't sit well with me.

And all the other cases ruin the slimness and sexy look that the Nano has...So i just put it in a sunglasses bag/case...


I don't see any accessories out there that peak my interest at all...

[RayCon]

This multitude of accessories for the iPod is a very good thing. Each, in its own way, whether a good product or not, advertises the popularity or "coolness" of the original product, making it more and more difficult for competitors. "Look at this iRiver. What accessories can I get for it? Look at this iPod… wow!";)

[doogle]

Frankly, I'm really sick of all the ipod accessories. I was in sharper image the other day and I saw an iChair. You plug your ipod into this chair and it plays your music. LAME!

I would like to see Apple tighten its grip. Finally...

All these accessories are a symbol of Apple's success so I am not complaining.
I guess that is why they brought in the "Made For iPod" trademark to try and keep some quality control. They know what is happening - they have hit the big time and the iPod will eventually become a boring "everywhere" kind of item - it's inevitable.....that is why people like you and me (and many on this forum) want something new and exclusive, to keep us feeling special and in the know. So we have to wait for that device, while the mystique of the iPod steadily diminishes in contrast with Apple's profits.

Apple's grip is tight enough all ready. If anything they will have to steadily loosen it to keep the device in the news. I am astounded they have still not opened the platform for other developers (they may start with widgets) - perhaps when they do we will know the iPod has reached its zenith of success?

[amateurmacfreak]

Personally I have never bought any iPod add-on, etc...yet. ;) :)

They will have to work hard for me to actually get interested in any of they products. ;) :D
Haha, agreed. My iPod's pretty enough by itself! :p
Except for the fact that it's freaking really scratche up. :o :rolleyes:

[amateurmacfreak]

All these accessories are a symbol of Apple's success so I am not complaining.
I guess that is why they brought in the "Made For iPod" trademark to try and keep some quality control. They know what is happening - they have hit the big time and the iPod will eventually become a boring "everywhere" kind of item - it's inevitable.....that is why people like you and me (and many on this forum) want something new and exclusive, to keep us feeling special and in the know. So we have to wait for that device, while the mystique of the iPod steadily diminishes in contrast with Apple's profits.

Apple's grip is tight enough all ready. If anything they will have to steadily loosen it to keep the device in the news. I am astounded they have still not opened the platform for other developers (they may start with widgets) - perhaps when they do we will know the iPod has reached its zenith of success?

Yeah. A lot of people don't even think my 5G 30GB black iPod is that cool! :eek:
no, seriously, out of my 5 closest friends, 4 of them have an identical iPod. I AM NOT JOKING.
But I was the first, so neh! :p
Ok, ok, this group of friends I hang out with, maybe not my absolute best. Not, but almost.:rolleyes:
I have all these other friends with nanos I hang out w/.:rolleyes: ;)
But not joking.

[mackeeper]

I just realized, I'm really sick and tired of the people who love/have ipods but who diss macs and say they would never get one. They DO realize they are contradicting themselves. In my opinion, they're not worthy of sporting ipods then. Unfortunately, I'm speaking about nearly everyone in the world (besides us). Posers!

[BlueRevolution]

Apple's grip is tight enough all ready. If anything they will have to steadily loosen it to keep the device in the news. I am astounded they have still not opened the platform for other developers (they may start with widgets) - perhaps when they do we will know the iPod has reached its zenith of success?

to be sure. Apple is being as pigheaded as cell phone manufacturers/networks about third party software innovation. it is what has driven the computer industry for the past 15-20 years (arguably longer, though I'm not sure selling games on tape for hobbyist computers like the Texas Instruments ZX-81 qualifies as driving the industry).

on the other hand, iPods couldn't do much more than what they do now, at least not easily. open third party development would really make people realize how limited the controls really are, and might push people to look at some more all-encompassing solutions like the Palm LifeDrive (http://www.palm.com/products/mobilemanagers/lifedrive/).

I think Apple has to come out with something totally new, like the touch driven interface we've been hearing about lately, if they're going to maintain market dominance, and soon. making them smaller and more spacious will only get them so far.

soo... what about a fusion iPod/Tablet PC? would it be too expensive? would the gesture interface make it too difficult to use at small sizes?

if they can market a gesture-driven computer, possibly with a virtual keyboard that can be activated, and tie it in with the iPod rather than the Mac they have the potential to bridge the gap between the lines and encourage a lot more people to cross over.

hey, whatever happened to that infrared/laser keyboard we were hearing about about 5 years back anyway? the concept was that the keyboard is projected onto any flat surface by the device, then built in infrared sensors detect where you tap and convert it into keystrokes. sounds perfect for making a small but useable device with a stripped down version of OS X, Front Row 2 and TV output. PSP size, all screen, and touch input. and DOES NOT SCRATCH.

continuing the thought drift, why isn't Front Row AppleScriptable?

edit: I meant PSP, not PS2. hopefully the iPod won't get that big, though I heard a rumour from Steve himself that the next iPod would be significantly bigger. and this he seems to have found out from "reliable sources" inside Apple. so maybe it's this he was talking about. it all fits.

:rolleyes:

[RayCon]

hey, whatever happened to that infrared/laser keyboard we were hearing about about 5 years back anyway? the concept was that the keyboard is projected onto any flat surface by the device, then built in infrared sensors detect where you tap and convert it into keystrokes. sounds perfect for making a small but useable device with a stripped down version of OS X…



Actually, it was made for the Palm. I guess the problem was that you needed a smooth, flat surface for it to work.

[BlueRevolution]

yeah. a lot of places the iPod goes you wouldn't have that. but it would be awesome for taking notes, and you could use a stylus/gesture based input the rest of the time.

do you know of any plans by Palm to put the technology into future models? because I'd snap one up so fast for school...

of course I imagine the lack of spring-loaded keys leads to a lot of finger/wrist strain from the constant drumming on a hard surface.

edit: or you could give the thing a flip cover and have the cover double as a keyboard. maybe not iPod elegance, but it would certainly be functional.

[iHateGates]

I just upgraded my iPod from a mini to a 30G video. I LOVE it. However, I'm not thrilled with the battery life on video playback. I had wanted one since they were announced and I finally caved because I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks and I thought watching some video on the 6 hour plane ride would be a great way to pass time. After about 40 min. of playback, the battery is half gone. :mad:
If Apple intends to integreate more pda/phone features to our favorite music player, (like we all speculate) they NEED to do something about the battery life.

[BlueRevolution]

yeah, that's the only thing that's keeping me from getting one too. the video feature is a gee whiz thing not something useful to me.