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Apple to Demote iPod Stock to Accessory Shelves In Retail Stores
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It could be like the 'app' they already use in the Best Buy kiosks. It requires a password to do many things, and the devices usually can't connect to the internet (at least at my local Worst Try store) because they aren't connected to a working wireless network. But then Best Buy is a very 'PC centric' reseller.
But the one thing that Apple should remember is that the 'demo app' for the Best Buy kiosks are in a store context where they aren't the source of the foot travel, and aren't in a 'friendly environment', and don't have a very 'Mac centric' knowledgeable sales force.
This *could* work, but it also could take some of the shine off of the 'store experience'.
But having the iDevices showing features and pricing, and 'captive', is also a security feature. Yes, in one store, there was an iPod missing, because, according to an employee, someone 'borrowed it'...
Really? You'd think Apple had actually discontinued the iPod, instead of recently released updates.
Reality: Apple are now treating them as accessories and putting them on the shelf next to the other accessories so they don't take up valuable space in the "showroom" area and you don't have to bug a sales assistant to fetch one from the storeroom. That's because they are, now, accessories: the customers for iPods are already sold on other Apple products or services, they just want to add an iPod for jogging, the kids (who will hate you for not getting them a phone) etc.
They're a useful part of the Apple ecosystem that will only be discontinued if they become really uneconomic, but the days of them being a flagship product ended years ago.
Dedicated personal music players are a mature product. 16GB will hold enough music to play 24 hours/day for a week. Most people who want them already have them. Heck, even the technology that largely usurped them, the phone, is reaching market saturation. There isn't going to be any new revolution, no hitherto unexplored new market that would justify giving them prime showroom real estate that could be used to sell Watches or MacBooks. If you want an iPod you'll probably pick one up with the groceries or from your favourite online retailer. If you do schlep to an Apple Store to buy one then you'll probably go to browse the other shiny stuff, not deliberate over the iPod. Just like any other accessory.
As for Apple innovation: its never been about wresting new ideas from the raw firmament: every decade or so, Jobs would spot some idea bubbling under in the marketplace, get his people to re-design it into an attractive and usable product and then market the crap out of it.
Give post-Jobs Apple a chance. The Watch might turn out to be massive, although I'd wait for version 2 (and remember that even the iPod wasn't an overnight success). It sounds like they'll do something big with TV as soon as they've got the content sorted out (again, content was an important factor for the iPod's rise) and its clear that they're cooking something up with cars. All of these are just the sort of bubbling-under products that would benefit from the Jobs treatment.
As for the PC and Phone industry: its in stagnation. Nobody is making leaps and bounds any more, the products are mature and the need to upgrade every year or two is gone. I don't see any big new thing waiting for Apple to perfect and kick into life. As it is, they're doing well keeping their end up in a flagging market: they've pushed small things like higher res displays (when the PC industry had stuck at 1080p) and haptics (nothing like the force touch trackpad yet) and the MacBook/Air/Pro still make PC laptops look like buckets of spare parts.
People have predicting this "doom" since 2011 any yet somehow they manage to keep getting bigger and bigger. Keep going at it though, whether it's 10 years or 50 years from now I'm sure you'll finally be right at some point.
I'm glad they're clearing demo space for more products... my local Apple store only had one 15" rMPB when I was there last.
I'm grateful for the iPod. First of all, they've been great products, and getting my first one back in 2003 really did change how I listened to music in a dramatic way.
But the iPod also gave Apple the cash, and the cache, to springboard into other product lines that have really been majors components of the company over the past decade.
But the iPod also gave Apple the cash, and the cache, to springboard into other product lines that have really been majors components of the company over the past decade.
I'm sure that's why it got A8 processor so it will last several years to when Apple can finally kill it off.
This is great news and a great move. When I did visuals for Apple, those smart signs were a nightmare to setup, move, remove, and configure.
Well I don't go into Apple stores to use their products to check my email or pay bills or whatever. But it sounds like you'll be able to get out of the 'demo' app and play around with the device.
Personally, the idea of Apple having any display space for the iPod is kinda odd.
Only people that have lived under a rock would not know about the iPods. And having them hanging on a rack, or sitting on shelves will make it plenty easier for people to buy one. Especially with the Apple Store app: Wiz in, grab one, scan the code, click 'Yes', and out the door. What could be easier. It's a lot better than troubling, or finding, an Apple Store minion to get one for you.
Sure, that sounds like the end of the iPod, but it's also just acknowledging that it's become so ubiquitous... People aren't coming to the Apple Store to 'buy an iPod' anymore. They are coming to buy other things, and possibly an iPod. I can go to the local X store and get an iPod. The only reason to go to the Apple Store is to get the (RED) versions, or the 128G Touch.
The iPod is what helped save Apple. But time has marched on. Apple killing it completely would be a mistake, but giving it valuable space, and taking up valuable minion time, not to mention back stock space, is too expensive.
I may yet pick up that Product (RED) 128 Touch soon...
Only people that have lived under a rock would not know about the iPods. And having them hanging on a rack, or sitting on shelves will make it plenty easier for people to buy one. Especially with the Apple Store app: Wiz in, grab one, scan the code, click 'Yes', and out the door. What could be easier. It's a lot better than troubling, or finding, an Apple Store minion to get one for you.
Sure, that sounds like the end of the iPod, but it's also just acknowledging that it's become so ubiquitous... People aren't coming to the Apple Store to 'buy an iPod' anymore. They are coming to buy other things, and possibly an iPod. I can go to the local X store and get an iPod. The only reason to go to the Apple Store is to get the (RED) versions, or the 128G Touch.
The iPod is what helped save Apple. But time has marched on. Apple killing it completely would be a mistake, but giving it valuable space, and taking up valuable minion time, not to mention back stock space, is too expensive.
I may yet pick up that Product (RED) 128 Touch soon...
I know there are people like this, but it makes less and less sense. I still have my iPod classic and keep trying to force myself to use it in the car so I can save on data, but I stream so much music that I haven't bought. I was given an iPod shuffle last year at a vendor fair, but still haven't even opened it. Truth is I, and most everyone else, have their phone with them at all times making an iPod redundant.
But at some level, Steve would hate everything...
It's a curly cord. It looks 'cool'. Plus making the plug part of the leg would be a disaster, and having the power coming from the ceiling would look so, YUCK!
I was impressed with the gauge of the cables. It's not a thin 'nothing' cable. It looks durable. Industrial. Tell me that isn't cool at some level...
One thing I noted during the elections on 2004-ish, was people would go to the Apple Stores and leave the screens on a Ron Paul website. I found it rather desperate and comical, but I laugh at funerals too...
If the Shuffle is engraved with a logo, it might be worth ebaying.
I use my touch for plane travel, long plane travel, so my iPhone is fresh when I get to whereever I'm heading. I'd rather not give up my Touch...
How is the music streaming over cellular? I've been thinking of giving up Siruis/XM. Irregardless of what they say, they DO repeat the same music over and over both during the day, and day to day... It gets annoying enough that my brain points it out to me through the haze of using it as background music.
Ron Johnson had the stores do this a few christmases ago. Theft of iPods was astronomical (shocking.)
Also, I' be surprised if they remove smartsigns all together. Likely removing the iPad 2s for whatever is being used with the apple watches.
Then again, Ive been out of the retail game for a couple of years...
Also, I' be surprised if they remove smartsigns all together. Likely removing the iPad 2s for whatever is being used with the apple watches.
Then again, Ive been out of the retail game for a couple of years...
I am so glad to have the new iPod. I would be so distressed to see this change without the 6g touch. Now I am set for a couple of years. I suspect your observations are correct.
I don't get JoeShades' position. Maybe he is trying to tear down the appleTV by association.
My local Apple Store had already removed all iPods and iPhones models prior to the 6 and the 6+ from the demo tables, to make room back when the Apple Watch came out.
LMFAO, how confusing can a digital sign be when its specifically related to the product next to it, it was an ingenius idea....wow I guess Apple is really babying itself to the lowest common denominator. I truly cant believe it would frustrate people so much and theyre that stupid.
While updates may not be as frequent anymore, I doubt the iPod will go away anytime this decade. Maybe in 2020, but not this year or next..
If the iPhone had the physical controls of the Nano (middle click button for play/pause/forward/rewind) and better battery life I'd agree.
There's no doubting that having everyone in one device is convenient, but there are several drawbacks to using your phone as your main media player.
- If your headphone's don't have controls, you have to get your phone out of your pocket and interact with the screen to adjust music playback.
- If you listen to hours of music, you'll run your phone's battery down fast. Years ago I had the dream of consolidating my iPod Touch and basic phone into an iPhone for videos, games, music, and internet. Boy I was wrong. You can kill the battery by the afternoon and I'm not always near power.
- There are places where I don't want to use an $800 phone: exercising, working in the yard, in bed when I'm trying to sleep (i might knock it off), etc.
- Also, my phone is always buzzing or beeping. I get 10+ emails a day and umpteen texts. Each time I get a notification it lowers the music playing in the background and can be disruptive, especially if trying to sleep. I don't want to use Do Not Disturb or Airplane mode because I can't risk missing a notification later.
- iOS is really poor lately. My background music will stutter when browsing the web or using apps on my iPad 3 or iPhone 6!
But that's more of a testament to Apple's crappy coding.