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Wal-Mart to Sell $99 4GB iPhone?

Personally, I'm in favor of Apple not being perceived as quite so aloof and exclusive. I think that, more than the price, is keeping a number of people from even thinking about Mac's, and while I'm not expecting Apple to drop the prices of their computers because of this (no reason for them to), I'm expecting people will look at them differently and those who might not have considered them when "everything from Apple is sooo expensive" might think again about them once they're enlightened to the fact that Apple really can make a product that's a good value for their money (not that the iPhone isn't now, but more people will perceive it that way if they drop the price to under $100).

jW
 
Kar98 said:
Uh....how about St. Jobs' recent assertion that he doesn't give a wet fart about potential buyers below a certain threshold?

On on hand, Apple chooses not to cater to people who want to spend less than $800 on a computer, on the other hand, a $99 Walmart phone?

I have difficulties believing that.
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How about Jobs' past assertions such as people don't want video their iPods, flash-based players can't hold enough music, and Apple doesn't want to get into the smart phone business? As we all know iPods play video, some use flash memory, and Apple is in the smart phone business. Jobs rarely, if ever, hints at what may be coming down the pipe and regularly down plays any market segment that Apple is not a part of... up until Apple *is* a part of it and then he talks about how what Apple is doing is better and different than everyone else in that segment.


Lethal
 
macfearless said:
i'm sort of sick of all the "elitist" bashing. it's not being elitist. it's only natural to want things that you own to have a uniqueness about them. it's just a fact, people want to feel like what they have is somewhat exclusive. it doesn't necessarily make them better than anyone else. furthermore, it's kind of ironic that the people doing all the elitist bashing are sort of in they're own way an "elitist" flaming people on this forum about this doesn't strengthen your moral fiber, it makes you a hypocrite. :rolleyes:
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I'm a hypocrite for thinking that complaining about price drops is bloody insane?
 
judolphin said:
Tito, your rant is true for computers, but not for the iPod Touch & iPhone.

iPod Touch and iPhone do use a form of RAM for storage. iPod "Classic" uses hard drive storage in the traditional sense.
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But what you fail to recognize is that no one in the industry refers to a NAND Flash drive as RAM if said device had an actual CPU and was considered a computer device with a real OS. Since the iPhone and iPod Touch ARE still basically a computer device, they still rely on a CPU that works with RAM for basic system memory storage which is quite different than how it deals with actual storage on the device. Now if we were talking about something like an Apple shuffle, I could see your point. But my "rant" was nothing but trying to get people (like yourself) to use the proper technology. I know you like to think of the iPod Touch and the iPhone as something else, but in fact, they ARE computer devices. Look it up.

What you are confusing is the difference between a "disc" hard drive (something with platter(s)) and something that uses a Flash NAND drive. But in the end, their purpose is still the same: to be used as storage, nothing else. The iPhone and the Touch use an ARM chip that uses RAM for processing memory.
 
AppleMojo said:
$599.00 = Mac Mini = Computer

Unless you think that doesn't count because it won't come with an mp3 player, printer, coffee mug, cheap digital camera, 200 shareware apps and serious depreciation?
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That doesn't count, because I had to pay over $800 for mine, to get the DVD burner and a decent amount of RAM. :D

And it was ST Jobs himself who declared that Apple doesn't want to serve this market.
 
judolphin said:
I'm a hypocrite for thinking that complaining about price drops is bloody insane?
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no, but you are if you're flaming people for they're way of thinking by forcing you're ideals on them. it has nothing to do with you're views on pricing.
 
When it comes to Wal-Mart, I do not shop there because of many reasons. However, it is based on what I believe and due to the success of the company, lower prices, no matter the cost, takes priority in the majority's eyes. I am waiting on a 32gb iPhone and if Apple comes out with one and Wal-Mart sells it cheaper there than anywhere else, I would not buy it there.

However, this is a business move on Apple's part and I can only view it as smart move, if true. The consumers make Wal-Mart the success that it is and Apple may use that to grow as a business. For what I want an iPhone for, 4 gb is way too small, and so is 16 gb that's out now. But I can see Apple doing re-releasing a 4gb model because I'm sure it will sell *enough.*

I work for a company that unfortunately pays their employees almost as crappy as Wal-Mart does and I see many mp3 players around which are not iPods or Zunes. Just about all the employees have cell phones and for $99 they may be able to get an iPhone that can also hold their music.

Plus if the move is unsuccessful, I would think Apple would do research to find out why. If it is the storage, a year later the 8 gb phone may become the $99 model. If it is the cost of the contract or just lack of interest within the Wal-Mart stores, they may rework the pricing plans or just cease selling there. It's not like Apple hasn't reversed decisions or made bad ones. The short fat iPod Nanos didn't last long before they went back to the long skinny ones.

Maybe these 4 gb models will also show up at Costcos as well. I don't really care whether these rumors are true or not, but I do believe more competition in any industry is a good thing. Just my cents....
 
Inconsistent Brand Identity

It boggles my mind that Apple would even consider Wal-Mart as a dealer for the iPhone.

Apple's products, across the board are very much considered "premium" because of their price, product positioning, etc.

Also, Apple is generally considered a top-notch employer with good pay, solid benefits, etc.

This is why the Starbucks partnership is understandable. They make a premium product, are respected for their benefits, etc.

Wal-Mart on the other hand, has been sued time and time again for employee relations related issues (e.g. withholding pay, benefits, etc.).

I've never seen any town protest the opening of an Apple Store. Most in fact welcome them.

If Wal-Mart does become an iPhone reseller, it will make me think about Apple's long term commitment to quality because for Wal-Mart the only thing that matters is simply price; product quality is a secondary issue.
 
judolphin said:
I *really* don't understand the angst about Apple lowering prices. You like setting your money on fire? Someone *pleasepleaseplease* explain this madness to me.
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No, i still think apple products are a little overpriced, but for that you get good quality and customer service. If everyone will have a macbook and an iphone and starts having questions and issues, you'll have to sit on the phone for hours talking to overseas tech support instead of stopping a genius bar where they can actually fix something pretty quick or replace it.
 
macfearless said:
no, but you are if you're flaming people for they're way of thinking by forcing you're ideals on them
Click to expand...

You're forcing your ideals (don't state your opinion) on me right now?

I'm allowed to state my opinion and to ask people to consider that theirs may be wrong. Isn't that the essence of discussing things? I think you're out of line.
 
rowr said:
I never have understood why elitists take pride in wasting their money. Times are going to get tougher over the next 4 years - start saving your money now.
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I think it has more in this case to do with wanting to support the people that make and sell the products you buy. Sure, it's great to get something at a discount -- but Walmart has done a lot of aggressive actions that have damaged companies to the point of not being able to stay in business. And once those companies go away, people lose their jobs.

As pointed out in this thread, Walmart also doesn't have the best history in regards to treating their employees properly. I have family that has worked for Walmart in the past and after hearing from them personally, I really don't feel good about supporting a company that operates the way they do.

But don't take my word for it -- ask around in your own circles and find friends or family that have dealt with Walmart either as a vendor or as an employee. I'm sure you'll find someone. Ask them about their experiences.

If that's too hard, do some research of your own -- there have been documentaries and books written about Walmart. Of course you won't find any of them actually for sale in Walmart.

I will give Walmart credit for their recent environmental changes -- it's a great first step. I just hope they will apply that attitude to making changes to benefit their employees and vendors as well.
 
macfearless said:
i'm sort of sick of all the "elitist" bashing. it's not being elitist. it's only natural to want things that you own to have a uniqueness about them. it's just a fact, people want to feel like what they have is somewhat exclusive. it doesn't necessarily make them better than anyone else. furthermore, it's kind of ironic that the people doing all the elitist bashing are sort of in they're own way an "elitist" flaming people on this forum about this doesn't strengthen your moral fiber, it makes you a hypocrite. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I don't think that's natural. I want things I own to work and/or be in good condition. I bought my MacBook because of the reputation Apple has for longevity in their products and I was tired of my computers falling to crap after 1 or 2 years. I purchased my vehicle based on the same reasoning. I don't care if every other person is driving around in a green Dodge with their Black MacBooks - as long as mine continue to function they way they should.
 
fleshman03 said:
You're serious, right? Who has only 4gb of music? I don't know many college students who fall in that range. Maybe High School students? Plenty of us shop at Walmart too. (As much as we hate it.)

Now add a movie or two and 3.5gb is nowhere near enough storage. I had a hard enough time going from a 32 gb iPod to a 16gb touch. When I bought the iPod, I didn't think I'd ever touch 15gb, let alone 32. I now have over 60 gb of movies...
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I've had an 8GB iPod for over a year. I've never had over 4GB of data on it. I have an iPod for playing music, just like most people who have large music collections. I have no problem with them releasing a 1TB iPhone, but I don't need more than 4 GB. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.
 
ferlauto said:
It boggles my mind that Apple would even consider Wal-Mart as a dealer for the iPhone.

Apple's products, across the board are very much considered "premium" because of their price, product positioning, etc.

Also, Apple is generally considered a top-notch employer with good pay, solid benefits, etc.
Click to expand...
Apple also has a history w/more 'average joe' retailers such as Best Buy and CompUSA.


Lethal
 
judolphin said:
You're forcing your ideals (don't state your opinion) on me right now?

I'm allowed to state my opinion and to ask people to consider that theirs may be wrong. Isn't that the essence of discussing things? I think you're out of line.
Click to expand...

nope, not out of line. just making an assessment, shedding a little light if you will. maybe if you we're out of "defense mode" you would get it.
 
macfearless said:
i'm sort of sick of all the "elitist" bashing. it's not being elitist. it's only natural to want things that you own to have a uniqueness about them. it's just a fact, people want to feel like what they have is somewhat exclusive. it doesn't necessarily make them better than anyone else. furthermore, it's kind of ironic that the people doing all the elitist bashing are sort of in they're own way an "elitist" flaming people on this forum about this doesn't strengthen your moral fiber, it makes you a hypocrite. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

That my friend is the reason why gold and diamonds are worth more than stones. It's called rarity.
 
macfearless said:
nope, not out of line. just making an assessment, shedding a little light if you will. maybe if you we're out of "defense mode" you would get it.
Click to expand...

You call people hypocrites and expect them not to get defensive? Been around humans much?
 
arn said:
wmlogo.gif
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That little graphic at the end of the store name looks like the spinning disk on the iPhone boot-up. Has Steve invested in Wal-Mart?
 
rstansby said:
I've had an 8GB iPod for over a year. I've never had over 4GB of data on it. I have an iPod for playing music, just like most people who have large music collections. I have no problem with them releasing a 1TB iPhone, but I don't need more than 4 GB. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.
Click to expand...


Do have you any videos? How much has your music library grown in the last year?
 
judolphin said:
I *really* don't understand the angst about Apple lowering prices. You like setting your money on fire? Someone *pleasepleaseplease* explain this madness to me.
Click to expand...

It's not madness....it's the fact that since their resurgence, and really throughout their whole time as a company, Apple has never been "price-competitive", they compete on innovative features, good customer service, and an overall experience. Take for example whole foods, no one is bargain hunting at whole foods, you go there for the experience and the product.

If Apple decides to enter a lower price bracket then I am all for it, but I just don't want to see (like many others) a degradation in the quality of the products, the brand, or their customer service.

Personally, I'd rather see Apple concentrating on an awesome iPhone 3.0 software update, or new hardware, rather than cutting prices. Once they start competing just on price, you lose the need to innovate!
 
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