Yeah, I can picture it... a 2 GB miniPod sporting a nice, rich red like SonyEricssons Volcanic Red... for 100 $... what a killer that would be...
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Low Cost 2GB and 4GB iPods - at MWSF 2004?
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is 2/4gb really enough?
That just seems small. I stopped ripping 6cds at 6gb because I had already maxed out my 5gb ipod.
iTunes doesn't really work so well when your library is bigger than your ipod. You either have to transfer songs manually (which is not fun and means that the song you just bought from itms isn't on your ipod automatically) or you have to set up some special playlists that limit your collection to the ipod's size. Either way, it's a big pain and definitely takes away from the enjoyment of the ipod. The ipod goes from a "it just works" device to something the user has to laboriously manage.
If you don't have much music, then 2gb would be fine. But who needs an ipod if you don't have much music? Is that market really big?
Then again, my boss at work wants to buy ipods for his kids, but not at the current price. His kids probably have some, but not tons of music yet. An ipod at $150 and a $10/month allowance would be a pretty killer gift, I'd say. Hmmm...
That just seems small. I stopped ripping 6cds at 6gb because I had already maxed out my 5gb ipod.
iTunes doesn't really work so well when your library is bigger than your ipod. You either have to transfer songs manually (which is not fun and means that the song you just bought from itms isn't on your ipod automatically) or you have to set up some special playlists that limit your collection to the ipod's size. Either way, it's a big pain and definitely takes away from the enjoyment of the ipod. The ipod goes from a "it just works" device to something the user has to laboriously manage.
If you don't have much music, then 2gb would be fine. But who needs an ipod if you don't have much music? Is that market really big?
Then again, my boss at work wants to buy ipods for his kids, but not at the current price. His kids probably have some, but not tons of music yet. An ipod at $150 and a $10/month allowance would be a pretty killer gift, I'd say. Hmmm...
The latest news from ThinkSecret seems to support this rumor - smaller capacity iPods, cheaper and colors! Should be interesting to see what actually is announced.
And I think the smaller capacity iPods is a great idea. There are all types of users out there, with different amounts of music, different needs, and different amounts of money they are willing to spend. There is definitely a market for 2GB or 4GB iPods, just as there is for 40GB iPods. This makes sense from Apple's perspective, as they can address more of the market this way.
And I think the smaller capacity iPods is a great idea. There are all types of users out there, with different amounts of music, different needs, and different amounts of money they are willing to spend. There is definitely a market for 2GB or 4GB iPods, just as there is for 40GB iPods. This makes sense from Apple's perspective, as they can address more of the market this way.
I'd be first in line to buy new low cost iPods... they will serve the same function and apple is not known to make shabby products!!!
I mean, the emac arguably gives the best bang per buck of all the macs.
I mean, the emac arguably gives the best bang per buck of all the macs.
2G/4G's sound like disposables
Remember the iPod's dirty secret discovered by those wild & crazy Neistat bros?
This new lo-sto iPod sounds like a disposable, with no battery replacement capability, designed to be a throw-away.
How unenvironmentally friendly is that?
I hope I'm wrong on this
Remember the iPod's dirty secret discovered by those wild & crazy Neistat bros?
This new lo-sto iPod sounds like a disposable, with no battery replacement capability, designed to be a throw-away.
How unenvironmentally friendly is that?
I hope I'm wrong on this
Re: Re: 2G/4G's sound like disposables
Maybe a new lo-sto iPod will lead to:
1) newer hi-sto iPods (>=50mb), and/or
2) a drop in hi-sto prices
I can't wait to see see at Macworld SF 2004
Maybe a new lo-sto iPod will lead to:
1) newer hi-sto iPods (>=50mb), and/or
2) a drop in hi-sto prices
I can't wait to see see at Macworld SF 2004
Re: Re: 2G/4G's sound like disposables
No, this is not true. iPod's battery will hold a charge for a fairly length period of time (at least 18 months; my 10GB touchwheel iPod is about that old and still gets 10 hours on a charge), and when it finally does die, you can send your iPod to Apple for a "new battery", at a cost of something like $150.
No, this is not true. iPod's battery will hold a charge for a fairly length period of time (at least 18 months; my 10GB touchwheel iPod is about that old and still gets 10 hours on a charge), and when it finally does die, you can send your iPod to Apple for a "new battery", at a cost of something like $150.
I'm not so sure about the new ipods coming out.
First:
A lot of people are calling them mini-ipods. I can't see how or why some people think this means smaller in physical size.
Second:
If Apple is selling out or close to selling out at x-mas, why would they bring out a lower cost/not as profitable player? They are not losing market share...they're gaining it. No reason to under cut yourself. I don't have the facts on how many ipods compareed to how many others combined were sold so I may be wrong about this.
Third:
If a smaller sized ipod were introduced, then it won't be an ipod anymore. It will have to go by some other name. People aren't saying, "I need an MP3 player"...they're saying, "I need an iPod". Having a different type/form factor will break this.
The only reason I could think of is if it's going to go hand-in-hand with the Pepsi giveaway. But still, why sell something cheaper when you don't have too? People either have a ipod or they're going to get one sometime soon.
My prediction: No mini-ipods will be introduced at MWSF.
First:
A lot of people are calling them mini-ipods. I can't see how or why some people think this means smaller in physical size.
Second:
If Apple is selling out or close to selling out at x-mas, why would they bring out a lower cost/not as profitable player? They are not losing market share...they're gaining it. No reason to under cut yourself. I don't have the facts on how many ipods compareed to how many others combined were sold so I may be wrong about this.
Third:
If a smaller sized ipod were introduced, then it won't be an ipod anymore. It will have to go by some other name. People aren't saying, "I need an MP3 player"...they're saying, "I need an iPod". Having a different type/form factor will break this.
The only reason I could think of is if it's going to go hand-in-hand with the Pepsi giveaway. But still, why sell something cheaper when you don't have too? People either have a ipod or they're going to get one sometime soon.
My prediction: No mini-ipods will be introduced at MWSF.
Re: Re: Re: 2G/4G's sound like disposables
damn, i am NOT going to get an ipod that costs $150 just to replace a battery. apple should do something about that. that doesnt seem right. they should have to disclose that info on the ipod packaging. $150 is half the cost of a new model, which would most likely have new features.
i wont get one now...though i wasnt really in the market for one...im still interested in seeing what the cheaper models (if true) will be like.
damn, i am NOT going to get an ipod that costs $150 just to replace a battery. apple should do something about that. that doesnt seem right. they should have to disclose that info on the ipod packaging. $150 is half the cost of a new model, which would most likely have new features.
i wont get one now...though i wasnt really in the market for one...im still interested in seeing what the cheaper models (if true) will be like.
beatle,
I think the battery is 99 through Apple. Or you can get a third party one and install it yourself for $49.
However, what those guys did was wrong. They tried to speak for the whole community that owns ipods. I have the original 10 gig and the new 15 gig. Neither have battery problems. And for the 10 gig not to have problems, that means that 18 month battery life is not true like those two brothers say in their video.
Go get one if you want one. Best investment I've made in a long time. I use my ipod on a daily basis. Definitely got my moneys worth.
I think the battery is 99 through Apple. Or you can get a third party one and install it yourself for $49.
However, what those guys did was wrong. They tried to speak for the whole community that owns ipods. I have the original 10 gig and the new 15 gig. Neither have battery problems. And for the 10 gig not to have problems, that means that 18 month battery life is not true like those two brothers say in their video.
Go get one if you want one. Best investment I've made in a long time. I use my ipod on a daily basis. Definitely got my moneys worth.
Re: Re: Re: Re: 2G/4G's sound like disposables
I don't really follow your logic; as with most electronic devices that require batteries, consumers should expect to incur ongoing energy costs. Rechargable batteries do not last forever; alternative players use AA batteries. A hard disk-based player like iPod running on AA batteries would cost a fortune and be very ineffecient.
iPod offers an incredible experience, from its form factor and ease of use, to its capacity and performance. Given that I can use my iPod for about 20-30 hours per week (listening to all my music, that's about ten gigs' worth) without paying $5.00 every couple of days for new batteries, or recharging NiCads every two hours of iPod use, I consider it an excellent value. I haven't even thought about what will happen when my battery stops holding a charge, and as I said, I've had my iPod for about eighteen months now and get about ten hours of continuous play on a single charge.
Yes $150 is expensive for a battery on a $400 device, but $5 for a halogen bulb in my $10 Ikea lamp seems a bit steep too. But I don't have to replace the bulb very often, and it's still a great value.
I don't really follow your logic; as with most electronic devices that require batteries, consumers should expect to incur ongoing energy costs. Rechargable batteries do not last forever; alternative players use AA batteries. A hard disk-based player like iPod running on AA batteries would cost a fortune and be very ineffecient.
iPod offers an incredible experience, from its form factor and ease of use, to its capacity and performance. Given that I can use my iPod for about 20-30 hours per week (listening to all my music, that's about ten gigs' worth) without paying $5.00 every couple of days for new batteries, or recharging NiCads every two hours of iPod use, I consider it an excellent value. I haven't even thought about what will happen when my battery stops holding a charge, and as I said, I've had my iPod for about eighteen months now and get about ten hours of continuous play on a single charge.
Yes $150 is expensive for a battery on a $400 device, but $5 for a halogen bulb in my $10 Ikea lamp seems a bit steep too. But I don't have to replace the bulb very often, and it's still a great value.
well thats better of them to allow you to change the battery yourself. from what i read here it sounded like you had to send it in and pay $150.
buying the battery yourself for $99 or from a third party for $49 is much better.
thanks for clearing that up. i feel better for apple and us mac enthusiasts.
buying the battery yourself for $99 or from a third party for $49 is much better.
thanks for clearing that up. i feel better for apple and us mac enthusiasts.
I doubt anybody would buy a $299-$499 iPod just because they got a $0.99 freebie from a Pepsi bottle.
That's why there should be a lower cost iPod. They have to sell something cheaper. People either have an iPod or want one. There are many more in the latter category who could only reasonably budget half or less than half that, compared to those who could afford the present lineup.
While I don't doubt colored versions of an iPod - and I don't understand people who consider the idea to be inconceiveable - the idea of "faceplates" I consider highly doubtful. Furthermore, the timing is perfect for new models.
First to address the colored iPod doubters. The main argument against the colored iPod - or any form factor change - from this group seems to be that "why would Apple change a good thing?" iPod is in danger of becoming a fad device. If nothing about the iPod changes other than capacity, it will undoubtedly be said fad. Apple needs to continue to keep the iPod fresh and hip. By introducing new colors etc. Apple can simply change the image of the iPod instead of losing the mindshare completely. My prediction is that the colors will be specific to the capacity in order to keep the prestige of owning the device. For example, the least expensive models come in blue, green and purple. Next largest in yellow, orange and red. The largest capacities (inc the current lineup) in Black, silver and white. By doing it in this way, you can still be seen as "cool" by those who know how big your iPod is by the color alone. The time is NOW for a change.
Still more cannot understand the reasoning behind a new iPod - in whatever form - immediately after the holiday season. It's simple really. They used the holiday season to milk the current iPod for all it is worth. If they sold nearly all of their current inventory and sold them at full price, they have succeeded mightily. Additionally, as others have pointed out, many teens received gift cards and cash as holiday gifts. Apple can seize the moment to introduce something affordable for this market.
Finally, faceplates are doubtful - in my opinion - for one and only one reason; Apple does not like to lose control of their products. When Nokia and the rest introduced faceplates, every schmoe with a plastics factory introduced their own wacky face plates. Nokia's idea, everyone else cashed in on it. If Apple wants to keep control and mindshare - as I suspect that they do - they will not allow for easily customisable exteriors.
First to address the colored iPod doubters. The main argument against the colored iPod - or any form factor change - from this group seems to be that "why would Apple change a good thing?" iPod is in danger of becoming a fad device. If nothing about the iPod changes other than capacity, it will undoubtedly be said fad. Apple needs to continue to keep the iPod fresh and hip. By introducing new colors etc. Apple can simply change the image of the iPod instead of losing the mindshare completely. My prediction is that the colors will be specific to the capacity in order to keep the prestige of owning the device. For example, the least expensive models come in blue, green and purple. Next largest in yellow, orange and red. The largest capacities (inc the current lineup) in Black, silver and white. By doing it in this way, you can still be seen as "cool" by those who know how big your iPod is by the color alone. The time is NOW for a change.
Still more cannot understand the reasoning behind a new iPod - in whatever form - immediately after the holiday season. It's simple really. They used the holiday season to milk the current iPod for all it is worth. If they sold nearly all of their current inventory and sold them at full price, they have succeeded mightily. Additionally, as others have pointed out, many teens received gift cards and cash as holiday gifts. Apple can seize the moment to introduce something affordable for this market.
Finally, faceplates are doubtful - in my opinion - for one and only one reason; Apple does not like to lose control of their products. When Nokia and the rest introduced faceplates, every schmoe with a plastics factory introduced their own wacky face plates. Nokia's idea, everyone else cashed in on it. If Apple wants to keep control and mindshare - as I suspect that they do - they will not allow for easily customisable exteriors.
I think that the 3G Ipods are great but, very expensive. Not to mention the fact that the battery can not be replaced by the user and runs for about 8 hours or less. If Apple produced a mini-Ipod (say 4-6Gb) that had better than an 8 hour battery life priced around $100-150 then I think they'll have a winner!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 2G/4G's sound like disposables
Maybe Apple should start marketing their own replacement Lithium Ion battery for the Ipod,and make it a user replaceable option. Admittedly they wouldn't make a new sale every time the battery on someone's Ipod fails, but users could extent its useable life.
Maybe Apple should start marketing their own replacement Lithium Ion battery for the Ipod,and make it a user replaceable option. Admittedly they wouldn't make a new sale every time the battery on someone's Ipod fails, but users could extent its useable life.