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iPad mini Apple deserves credit for a smooth iPad Mini Retina launch
- Thread starter spinstorm
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I am not a marketeer, but I am pretty sure this doesn't make any sense. Use the color less likely to be bought to advertise it?Ummmmkay...
It always makes sense to advertise products people dont want so theyll buy products they do want.
But they do this in marketing all the time. You show off your red sports car blazing through an empty expressway or you get your gorgeous model to showcase the flashiest product in order to get an audience to "want it", but when it comes time for the customer to "buy it" then they pick the most practical/conservative choice.I am not a marketeer, but I am pretty sure this doesn't make any sense. Use the color less likely to be bought to advertise it?
(BTW. I dont actually agree with the idea that "Apple didn't know Gold would be a hit" excuse. Gold exists because they knew it would be a good smokescreen for masking what the iPhone is still missing)
They have done a nice job with what they were given.
The one thing I don't understand is letting online orders that were taken during zero hour go unfulfilled while we're sending units to stores?
But, damned if they do, damned if they don't.
The one thing I don't understand is letting online orders that were taken during zero hour go unfulfilled while we're sending units to stores?
But, damned if they do, damned if they don't.
Is it at all possible that demand was overblown and these "professional analysts" were wrong?
The iPad Mini was a giant success but it wasn't necessarily due to a public demand for a small iPad. It came out at a time when the old design was getting stale and it was priced $170 cheaper than the bigger iPad so it was easy for the average consumer to join the iPad party and look past what may be considered the "shortcomings" of a small tablet (harder to read/type on).
But with the Air getting the flashier redesign, widespread availability and the Mini price going up then for "only $100 more" then maybe people are preferring to get the flagship iPad instead. Who knows, maybe Jobs was right and 9.7" actually was the right size.
The iPad Mini was a giant success but it wasn't necessarily due to a public demand for a small iPad. It came out at a time when the old design was getting stale and it was priced $170 cheaper than the bigger iPad so it was easy for the average consumer to join the iPad party and look past what may be considered the "shortcomings" of a small tablet (harder to read/type on).
But with the Air getting the flashier redesign, widespread availability and the Mini price going up then for "only $100 more" then maybe people are preferring to get the flagship iPad instead. Who knows, maybe Jobs was right and 9.7" actually was the right size.
I would consider the iPad Air to be a more successful launch then the mini. From what it sounded like they had plenty of supply at most Apple stores of every model/color. So, you could waltz in launch day and pick one up.
With the mini it has been so sporadic with some locations getting close to no stock, some only wifi, others seem to have gotten plenty of all models. My local store as of this morning has yet to receive any LTE stock, which is what I'm waiting for...
With the mini it has been so sporadic with some locations getting close to no stock, some only wifi, others seem to have gotten plenty of all models. My local store as of this morning has yet to receive any LTE stock, which is what I'm waiting for...
It's probably a combination of factors. Apple likely raised the price to keep demand commensurate with supply (and maintain margins at the same time). I wouldn't be surprised to see the price go back down a little next year (maybe not back to $329 as long as the internals are virtually identical to the Air, but maybe to $379 or $349). Also, the quiet launch with the reservation system (similar to what they do in China) naturally keeps demand manageable since people need to be "motivated" to get the mini (i.e. they need to log onto a website before arriving at a store). The Air is plentiful, and so is being sold to walk-ins.
My guess is the yield problems are real, but manageable. Once yields are up and Apple can have lots of stock in stores, we'll probably see the mini's sales go up relative to the Air.
You call people who enjoy Apple iSheeps? What do you enjoy? Are you a fan-droid? Are you a Micro-sucker?
Just because someone likes something doesn't mean you have to insult them. Apple makes some of the most desirable electronics on the planet, they're going to be in high demand.
I think this launch was fantastic because there was no fuss and no hassle.
I don't pretend to understand the reservation system but it works.
I was able to swap my wifi retina mini for a 4G model without having to guess when the delivery happened or deal with queues.
It popped up in the afternoon and I went and picked it up.
Imagine how much easier the iPhone 5S launch would have been with this system here in the UK. No disappointed people who couldn't get a gold iPhone. Or even better they could know when it was available and exchange it if they wanted like I did.
That for me is a great launch.
I don't want to queue at all. I don't want to get up early to maybe get an iPad (like with the air although the fact there was tons of stock meant it wasn't a hassle) that could have quite easily been different.
I don't pretend to understand the reservation system but it works.
I was able to swap my wifi retina mini for a 4G model without having to guess when the delivery happened or deal with queues.
It popped up in the afternoon and I went and picked it up.
Imagine how much easier the iPhone 5S launch would have been with this system here in the UK. No disappointed people who couldn't get a gold iPhone. Or even better they could know when it was available and exchange it if they wanted like I did.
That for me is a great launch.
I don't want to queue at all. I don't want to get up early to maybe get an iPad (like with the air although the fact there was tons of stock meant it wasn't a hassle) that could have quite easily been different.
I agree completely. Reserved my retina mini online on Tuesday, collected at Apple Trafford Centre Tuesday evening. No queues full of Scallies and those seeking to flip for profit on eBay, no pushing, shoving, queue jumping etc that have soured me on product launches since the iPhone 4.
Arrived at the store with my reservation, was attended to immediately by a staff member. Got to pick out my Product Red leather Smart Case - goes really well with the white fascia - Mrs upgraded her 4s to a gold 5s whilst we were there and the staff happily entertained our son whilst we got sorted. Great service from the staff/store and a hassle free service.
Here's to further soft launches