AirPods Pro Demand is So Strong That Apple is Reportedly Doubling Production

[JagdTiger]

Okay so this is an opinion after all.


About as speculative as speculative can be.


This appears to be somewhat of a truism.


How can Apple do double dipping. Do they reach into your wallet and extract the cash forcibly?


Inferior? Sounds like choice to me for those who don't want an isolated in ear tip. Apple knew it's target market very well, they just don't put a wet finger in the year and hope for the best.

In a sense what apple did was get enough profits from the first release and then marketing came up with a let’s make a pro version which has this appearance of a more sophisticated device but really is just a upgrade, the word pro should not be used on appliances anymore because in most cases it’s just a marketing thing and could even be just a small upgrade...double dipping?, kind of.

 

[I7guy]

In a sense what apple did was get enough profits from the first release and then marketing came up with a let’s make a pro version which has this appearance of a more sophisticated device but really is just a upgrade, the word pro should not be used on appliances anymore because in most cases it’s just a marketing thing and could even be just a small upgrade...double dipping?, kind of.

I don't think it went down like that. Apple doesn't seem to wing it. They had probably planned all along to release a set of b/t headset that was substantially better than the earpods. In the future they would release an upgraded model with ANC.

Is that double dipping? Not really. If one believes it is, then almost every manufacturer does the same thing. Lower cost, less features...etc.

 

[JagdTiger]

I don't think it went down like that. Apple doesn't seem to wing it. They had probably planned all along to release a set of b/t headset that was substantially better than the earpods. In the future they would release an upgraded model with ANC.

Is that double dipping? Not really. If one believes it is, then almost every manufacturer does the same thing. Lower cost, less features...etc.

The word pro is just a upgrade with (at times) slightly better parts and some new tech and its used by many manufacturers as a gimmick to entice customers to buy it, they could could just call it a upgrade or new version.

 

[I7guy]

The word pro is just a upgrade with (at times) slightly better parts and some new tech and its used by many manufacturers as a gimmick to entice customers to bus it, they could could just call it a upgrade or new version.

Does one buy consumer electronics goods from well known manufacturers based solely on the name or features functions? Apple has already established the way there are using the "pro" moniker.

 

[ipponrg]

Does one buy consumer electronics goods from well known manufacturers based solely on the name or features functions? Apple has already established the way there are using the "pro" moniker.

The answer is:

Some people buy it for the name, some buy it for the features, and some buy for both name and features.

Source: I’ve met three people that fall under the three distinct profiles

 

[JagdTiger]

Does one buy consumer electronics goods from well known manufacturers based solely on the name or features functions? Apple has already established the way there are using the "pro" moniker.

Some consumers do, its a brand name they go for and usually because of quality but sometimes because a celebrity will put they’re name on it even if the product is not very good.

 

[I7guy]

The answer is:

Some people buy it for the name, some buy it for the features, and some buy for both name and features.

Source: I’ve met three people that fall under the three distinct profiles

Some consumers do, its a brand name they go for and usually because of quality but sometimes because a celebrity will put they’re name on it even if the product is not very good.

I don't know anybody, anecdotally, who purchases any product type of consumer electronic product without giving a whit to specs. I know for me, and others, people buy a brand, because a brand has a positive connotation of some sort. So anecdotally, I've seen people buy a brand and specs together, although I've seen people sometimes buy for the specs alone. But when it comes to Apple specifically, I've never heard/seen people just buy something because it's Apple without caring about specs (or price).

This is one of the conversations that will go around in circles based on our individual, anecdotal experiences because there is no way to generalize this for tens of millions of consumers.

 

[V_Man]

Seems to me that Apple is already unbeatable in certain segments with the Apple Watch, tablet market, and now the AirPods are becoming more than just an ‘accessory’, they’re becoming their own product to the point where they are maturing nicely. Just wait until The AR glasses are here, then you’ll have the AirPods/Apple Watch all coincide together. Big future coming for these three products.

This is something I’m not looking forward too.

The last thing I want is people walking around wearing recording everything i there view. I know it will have a use in the professional or gaming world. But for normal day to day. No thanks. many here preach about privacy. These seem like they would open up a huge privacy issur

I’m just gonna show my age I guess.
[automerge]1575227351[/automerge]

I assume you don’t own some.

I can assure you. If I get a few years out of mine I’ll be happy. The ease of use is unparalleled.

That’s kinda of the problem currently in the world. Things are not made to last anymore. People are content to spend a chunk of change on a disposable, yes recyclable, but ultimately disposable item.

How much harder would it have been to maybe make the battery a screw on tip/mic replacement. $25 each. It might add a 1/4” to the stem. I’m sure Apple could make them if they wanted to

 

[Unregistered 4U]

How much harder would it have been

I would guess it could have been done. It would have been a significant challenge to add complexity to an already complex item, but I'm guessing it's possible. But, looking at the reality of how people buy things today (especially things with rechargeable batteries), sealed has become the mass market preference. Someone could produce an in ear driver that allowed for replaceable batteries, but, the benefit would be lost if very few used it. When you're talking about the scale of any Apple product, even adding one metal screw, the threads for it, and the metal contacts, you're talking about a MOUNTAIN of additional materials to include something on EVERY device that only a few would use.

 

[JagdTiger]

I would guess it could have been done. It would have been a significant challenge to add complexity to an already complex item, but I'm guessing it's possible. But, looking at the reality of how people buy things today (especially things with rechargeable batteries), sealed has become the mass market preference. Someone could produce an in ear driver that allowed for replaceable batteries, but, the benefit would be lost if very few used it. When you're talking about the scale of any Apple product, even adding one metal screw, the threads for it, and the metal contacts, you're talking about a MOUNTAIN of additional materials to include something on EVERY device that only a few would use.

It would cost less to the consumer since a battery replacement is $100.00 to $150.00?

 

[ipponrg]

I don't know anybody, anecdotally, who purchases any product type of consumer electronic product without giving a whit to specs. I know for me, and others, people buy a brand, because a brand has a positive connotation of some sort. So anecdotally, I've seen people buy a brand and specs together, although I've seen people sometimes buy for the specs alone. But when it comes to Apple specifically, I've never heard/seen people just buy something because it's Apple without caring about specs (or price).

This is one of the conversations that will go around in circles based on our individual, anecdotal experiences because there is no way to generalize this for tens of millions of consumers.

I think you underestimate the power of marketing and give consumers a bit more credit than you should.

 

[I7guy]

I think you underestimate the power of marketing and give consumers a bit more credit than you should.

I don’t ascribe to the stereotypical “dumb consumer”.

 

[Abazigal]

How much harder would it have been to maybe make the battery a screw on tip/mic replacement. $25 each. It might add a 1/4” to the stem. I’m sure Apple could make them if they wanted to

Engineering issues aside, I suspect the chief reason we don't see this is also the same reason we haven't seen expandable storage or swappable batteries on the iPhone. Not because Apple wants to gouge their customers, but because this would undercut their design philosophy.

Apple is all about minimalism and purity in hardware design. I suspect Apple decided long ago that having their product accommodate a removable battery would just sacrifice the integrity and beauty of the device, and they are probably right.

With regards to the iPhone, having a solid frame with an internal battery would make the phone more durable and the battery would last longer too, since it can be built larger within the phone. Sure, Apple could just build the phone larger, but doing so would compromise their design principles.

Same thing here with the AirPods. A tip that can be unscrewed is likely an additional point of weakness which you won't have if it were just a single sculpted piece of plastic. Making the AirPods thin, light and uncompromisingly simple is the goal here, and Apple is not going to compromise that just for a feature only a small subset of their user base is ever going to take advantage of.

Where Apple is concerned, they have never been about making products with the most features, but about cutting down a product to their most basic form, with nothing standing in between it and the user. People always try to make it about Apple grabbing more money from their users wherever they can; I will argue that this really isn't the case, but money is always a bonus).

 

[Baymowe335]

I think you underestimate the power of marketing and give consumers a bit more credit than you should.

I think you give them too little. Consumers are ruthless.

 

[V_Man]

Engineering issues aside, I suspect the chief reason we don't see this is also the same reason we haven't seen expandable storage or swappable batteries on the iPhone. Not because Apple wants to gouge their customers, but because this would undercut their design philosophy.

Apple is all about minimalism and purity in hardware design. I suspect Apple decided long ago that having their product accommodate a removable battery would just sacrifice the integrity and beauty of the device, and they are probably right.

With regards to the iPhone, having a solid frame with an internal battery would make the phone more durable and the battery would last longer too, since it can be built larger within the phone. Sure, Apple could just build the phone larger, but doing so would compromise their design principles.

Same thing here with the AirPods. A tip that can be unscrewed is likely an additional point of weakness which you won't have if it were just a single sculpted piece of plastic. Making the AirPods thin, light and uncompromisingly simple is the goal here, and Apple is not going to compromise that just for a feature only a small subset of their user base is ever going to take advantage of.

Where Apple is concerned, they have never been about making products with the most features, but about cutting down a product to their most basic form, with nothing standing in between it and the user. People always try to make it about Apple grabbing more money from their users wherever they can; I will argue that this really isn't the case, but money is always a bonus).

This is the problem. Apple encourages the use of disposable items in the name of design. Then they can sell more of them.

Apple preaches about environmental concerns and then basically sells items that are disposable. AirPods are the best example of this.

 

[I7guy]

This is the problem. Apple encourages the use of disposable items in the name of design. Then they can sell more of them.

Apple preaches about environmental concerns and then basically sells items that are disposable. AirPods are the best example of this.

AirPods are to be sent back to Apple for recycling.

Which competitors offer battery replacements? There was a post here where someone got the battery replaced on their Samsung buds and one bud came back damaged. Better to recycle them.

 

[V_Man]

AirPods are to be sent back to Apple for recycling.

Which competitors offer battery replacements? There was a post here where someone got the battery replaced on their Samsung buds and one bud came back damaged. Better to recycle them.

we aren’t talking about competitors. I’ve noticed that you have a tendency to go in that direction frequently.

Yes Apple recycles them for you. That’s great but it’s still a disposable item that cost $250.

Apple has damaged more than their share of items sent for repair. If you want to complete that thought

 

[ipponrg]

I don’t ascribe to the stereotypical “dumb consumer”.

I never said "dumb consumer". What you should try to understand is there are psychological effects of good marketing.

I'm even guilty of this (e.g. the Carls Jr commercials where ketchup drips on scantily clad women or the U2 silhouette commercials during the iPod days). There are obviously better burgers and better MP3 players, but the clever marketing was what got people such as myself to buy.

 

[I7guy]

we aren’t talking about competitors. I’ve noticed that you have a tendency to go in that direction frequently.

Yes Apple recycles them for you. That’s great but it’s still a disposable item that cost $250.

Apple has damaged more than their share of items sent for repair. If you want to complete that thought

It's always good to see how the competition is stacking up in various scenarios, which was the point at hand. And I'm sure Apple has damaged some of the devices sent in for repair, it's unavoidable on the scale that Apple has sold devices. That the Samsung Galaxy earbud was damaged is a testament to how difficult to work on such small devices, which are manufactured to last through some abuse, is the point.

I never said "dumb consumer". What you should try to understand is there are psychological effects of good marketing.

You pretty much alluded to "dumb consumers" with the way you worded your post.

I'm even guilty of this (e.g. the Carls Jr commercials where ketchup drips on scantily clad women or the U2 silhouette commercials during the iPod days). There are obviously better burgers and better MP3 players, but the clever marketing was what got people such as myself to buy.

Some marketing is good. The Carls Jr commercial you mentioned, I may like the commercial, but eating the stuff. No way. Better burgers and better mp3 players is a subjective call.

But that brings us around to the point that consumers purchase a product without any knowledge at all of the specs and based on the name. Never say never, so I'll go with most won't.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Why are AirPods so popular?

I have Jabra Elite 65Ts and have had them for a year. Noise cancellation, and no stupid white prongs hanging down from your ears. Why does everyone think that Apple has sort of reinvented the earbud when there have been and continue to be great offerings from Bose, Sony, Jabra, etc.

wuite simply the reaso. Why is best in class voice quality from the wearer to the other party/parties on the other end of a call. Habrá does great for dedicated office headsets but for their stereo lineup audiofrom voice still needs work. Plus nobody likes pressing them on tour ear. Another, warranty follows the owner not a dumb store receipt
[automerge]1575351722[/automerge]

If you see it everywhere in your local geographical area then the item is a success while in another area where few of any have them some may conclude with your logic used that it is not.

The area I reside I see people with AP not APP though I have a pair. It is also quite easy to just walk into an Apple Store and pick-up a pair. I am by no means stating that it is not a popular item, it just may not be in every area. Apple rarely moves stock around so early for a product release they usually just produce more as they set a number for inventory on-hand per location.

FWIW the location I live in the APP is rather affordable for the income required, maybe it’s advertising maybe something else, dunno.
[automerge]1574958238[/automerge]


Sony maybe considered a good comparison. Here was a company that innovated a lot, then went into consumer electronics, along the way entertainment with Music, Movies and Games. Seems Apple is walking a similar path, Apple Music brought a variety of external content under one service, AppleTV+, Arcade and New+. Plus wearables also something Sony still does.

Just an observation, not taking sides and it is something many analysts were predicting a path for Apple years ago. I would not be surprised if Apple starts it’s own music label under a different name due to copyright issues with another music label.

move been waiting for Apple to be the distributor and signer of arts it’s since inception of iTunes.

 

[code-m]

But Sony does innovate. TV shows and entertainment (as consumer electronic products) can be innovative, ie All In the Family, The Matrix, Star Wars. So if Sony is innovating, then so is Apple following a similar path.

Ah the Apple Computers to Apple Inc, comes to fruition.