Apple, Sun, Ericsson Wireless Deal

[Unregistered]

Again, about the future of iPod...

Didn't that seem like a strange name for a device just for iTunes?

The aerospace definition of "POD" is a detachable compartment on a spacecraft for carrying people or instuments.

So the name makes more sense (and Apple seels tons more) if the iPod becomes like a "detachable" device from your iMac that allows you to carry around most of the same stuff that relates to the "digital lifestyle".

SO, I'm walking around without a PDA because I've got my iPod:

* a thousand songs (best MP3 Player on the market);

* a bunch of photos either from iPhoto or from my digital
camera which I will download into iPhoto later (unique);

* my contact list, phone #s, addresses, schedule, what
ever else a PDA does (but a 1000 times bigger/better);

* stuff with video or audio that relates to the Errickson deal
that I don't really understand;

* able to use HD space to transport files from home to work
where ever else.

One device, no competitors, better at each function than any other standalone device = sell millions/convert PC users?

SJS

 

[Stalker]

Originally posted by Unregistered
One device, no competitors, better at each function than any other standalone device = sell millions/convert PC users?

Sorry to disappoint you all, but there are tons of those "digital wallets" out there. Have a look at http://www.archos.com/uk/products/product_500280.html as a very good example. Twice the size of an iPod but it has a 10 GB hard drive, built in color screen, can do everything you want including _recording_ and playback of MPEG-4 video. You can watch Britney dance as well as listen to her.

Besides, most people all over the world have a cell phone as priority #1 of stuff they want to carry around. They don't want to carry a second or third device as well. New phones can do MP3, they can store images, they have built in camera, they can access the web or wap, they have full set of calendar functions, reminders, to-do-lists etc. And they are as small as the iPod.

Have a look at the latest Nokia 7650 at http://www.nokia.com/phones/7650/ as a good example. Note that these phones _are not_ clumpsy PocketPC with a snap on phone, they are small and slick ordinary cellphones. The new Ericsson T66 even fits in the small fifth pocket in a pair of Lewis, have a look at http://www.sonyericssonmobile.com/T66/ or its more potent brother T68 at http://www.sonyericssonmobile.com/T68/.

Comrade Jobs is not stupid. He will stay clear of the "old" and soon to be stone dead PDA market (remember that we nerds are only a small fraction of the market and we are especially not "the rest of us").

The future is 3GPP cell phones (UMTS), always connected to the Internet, speeds up to 2 mbit/s, color screen, SMIL-compatible, MPEG-4 compatible etc. One unit that you always brings with you as a cellphone (prio one) but that will feature tons of other stuff at the same time (prio two).

Apple will bring out the tools for creating content for this market, but might decide not produce terminals. Apple will profit on Sony/Ericsson/Nokia making the terminals, much as they profited on Canon making the original Apple LaserWriter.

 

[Unregistered]

ok you're right, that device you linked to has some amazing function.

BUT: Apple makes iMac. Because Dell makes Dimensions does that mean there is no point to the existence of iMac?. Macs exist because they are so much superior. So also would the iPod be.
Here's how it would beat the others:

Design...size...software...reliability...ease of use...integration.

These are all the reasons the iPod should morph into the multi-functional device. Can you take the device on your link and integrate with the digital hub iSoftware in your Mac? I think not. So that sort of device, while useful, is only useful on a standalone basis. The future iPod will be part and parcel of your iMac. Like the word "pod": a "detachable compartment" of your computer.

Besides, if Apple can add the other functions, why on earth wouldn't they? They would add hardly any cost to the product but expand the market tremendously. I won't buy one just for iTunes but I will for the whole package. Would you?

A

 

[mac15]

I thought ericsson was going broke

 

[Stalker]

Originally posted by Unregistered
I won't buy one just for iTunes but I will for the whole package. Would you?

That is a very attentive and important question.

Let's face it, the MacPlus was useless without scanners, PageMaker, downloadable fonts, postscript and the LaserWriter. Don't flame me for saying this, but this is the main reasons why Apple soared in the DTP business and Atari/Amiga failed. Most users don't give a sh-t about operating systems, they want to publish something and want a solution that works.

Apple didn't package and sell any fonts, but they owned some 20% of Adobe to make sure that there were fonts to be available as well as Postscript. They did court Aldus. Apple didn't manufacture their own printers, but they made an agreement with Canon to supply LaserWriters. The customers were finally able to buy "the whole package" and the DTP era started.

I do suspect that we all should look at Apples (PDA) strategy from that view.

Apple wants to be able to offer "the whole package". You can put in a music CD and walk out with an iPod, you can connect your digital camera and give your grandma a printed photo album, you can use your DV-cam to take pictures on your kids and give your friends a DVD.

The scanner, CD, digital camera, DV-cam, printers, linotypes, superdrives, iPods etc are only the means, not the goal.

If this is correct there is no need for Apple to make their own digital camera (they did earlier when the market didn't provide any other solutions). No need for a DV-cam (they can't and wouldn't like to compete with Sony on that market anyway). No need for a PDA since they are available everywhere already. No need for a scanner since there are tons of them available. They have ditched their printing division. (Apple at one time even made their own modems as well as tape backups and external 5.25" floppy drives for the Mac.)

The reason for the iPod is to make a statement about "the whole package" because everyone understands the concept immediately. It is also to promote the FireWire and in the long run to push for more licence fees for that technology. It is also an elegant way of showing off Apple, since most MP3-players on the market has a crappy interface and are pretty useless compared to the iPod.

Apple could decide to make something else, but if so only to support "the whole package". They could decide to brand from another supplier. Most of the stuff in an iPod is made outside Apple.

The scanner, CD, digital camera, DV-cam, printers, linotypes, superdrives, iPods etc are always the means, not the goal. If a needed unit isn't available on the market, Apple will find ways to make it available.

But don't let those things distract you from Apples only goal - to sell as many Macintoshes as possible.

 

[graydecember]

In the most mundane sense the ipod fills the void left by the absence of floppy drives. *Few* mac users have their computers on a network! I'm a bit fed up with emailing files to myself through yahoo (max. 1.5M files only!) I have to archive and segment big stuff- what a pain- over a 56.6, but of course much the same problem with floppies. The ipod will be apple's removable media, I think.

Also, as a side note, someone mentioned converting Pc users. Apple probably will *never* breach the 7-9% market share, if that. As in "Pirates of Silicon Valley", when Jobs' character says to Gates' character "We're (apple) better than you", it obviously doesn't matter. A few years ago a heretic economist (does anyone know about this?) proposed that the competitive climate in the technology sector is far different than that traditionally conceived of as historically existing in most other markets. Usually, a product gains significance and market share due to competitive features and quality, but the primacy of MS shows that what is more important is compatibilty with an installed base/standard (positioning).
My point is (even though I obviosly don't know what I'm talking about ) that the ways apple products are better are not important to 95% of the population. Whether something even *works* well is not important! In fact, I would go so far to say that most people just want at least whatever their neighbor has- they don't want some kind of unusual thing their neighbor doesn't have~ Macs are qualitatively better, but most people don't know about qualities of things- they need number values to indicate value (Horsepower, Mhz, #of neighbors that use it, etc.). When Mac or Linux users talk about how Wintel sucks, they talking to blanks who just don't understand what you're talking about ("well Bill gates is the richest man, so...blah blah). Pc users will not be converted, becase they don't care about what is superior and don't recognize it when they see it.

 

[Unregistered]

RE: the iPod as "whole package" and as a sort of extension of the iMac:

Here is my story as a brand new Mac lover:

I always admired Macs but had never even used one. Used only PCs for over 10 years. I have a wife and four kids. Everynight I come home and the first thing I hear is "Dad, can you fix the Dell?"
Something they have downloaded or whatever has crashed the PC. I'd spend hour and hours...I got to where I hated the dang thing. Besides, when it did work it was boring!

Around Dec 1 2001 I am so frustrated that I order an iMac and the free HP digital camera. I then spend most of Dec getting up to speed on how to use the Mac.

Not to sound too sentimental, but this machine has transformed part of my life. I love it. It has never crashed... more impotantly IT IS FUN!

I am your typical consumer (not a pro user) and here is what I do:

*My neighbors install a new kitchen. I use my dig cam to take pictures of the process; come home and load them into iPhoto, then order them a Book as a housewarming gift.
*Our church gets a new pastor. I take pictures, load into iPhoto, edit with PixelNHance, publish to my mac homepage. Send an announcement card to the church sec'y who sends link in email to members. They love the pictures. It took me an hour.
*My son loves iTunes and burning CDs
*My daughters use iTunes while playing games...
*iMovie is great and I am barely started using it.

The iMac would convert any casual home PC user if they could just see and try one. The iPod as an extension of my iMac for the whole digital hub would be fantastic.

So thats what I want from iPod:
iTunes, iPhotos, video, download from dig cam, file sharing, etc.

Don't get cynical. Apple is on the right track.
SJS