When you look at Apple’s “i” product line, you see success. The iBook is a runaway best seller because it is a tremendous piece of hardware that can be purchased for less that $1,400. iMovie, iTunes, and iDVD all represent innovation and affordability. And let’s not forget the mother of all iWare, the iMac that you can buy brand new today for $799.
But the iPod breaks rank with this tradition of reasonably priced Apple iWare. That doesn’t mean it’s not an appealing device. The iPod is close to irresistible.
I have a similar gizmo right now in my briefcase — a 6 GB VST portable FireWire hard drive, and I love it. It’s bus-powered like the iPod, and it copies files faster than lightening strikes, just like the iPod. I paid $399 for it a while back, and the 10GB models are currently selling for $279.
Yes, I know that the iPod is much more than a 5 GB FireWire drive; it’s an extreamly cool MP3 player that can hold more than 1,000 songs running off a 10-hour rechargeable battery and incorporating 20 minutes (not seconds) of skip protection. Plus it looks great, really great.
The problem is that it should be $299. That’s the magic number right now. Top of the line MP3 players run between $249 and $299. Portable FireWire drives are priced about the same. Even 1.3 megapixel digital cameras by the likes of Olympus and Sony can be purchased for $299 or less.
We all know that it’s not what the item cost to make. It’s what people will pay. And this holiday season they will pay up to $299.
If Apple is determined to get $399 for the first release of this device (R&D is expensive afterall), then they should have coated it in pure Titanium and dubbed it the “TiPod” — just like they did with their top of the line PowerBook. Then, at MacWorld SF in January 2002, they could release the real iPod in an ice-colored polycarbonate enclousure for $199. They would sell thousands of them right there at the show.
After giving today’s iPod announcement careful consideration, I’m left with one lingering question: “Where the heck are the branding and marketing experts when you really need them?”
What do you think? Am I missing something here or should the iPod be the TiPod?
no worries...
...overpriced, and in horrid "designer colors" that only a 12-year old girl could like?
No problem.
If it's Apple, the Apple fanatics will buy it.
no worries...
Ummm... have you even looked at the iPod? No horrid designer colors. Actually it looks kind of cool. My guess is you're not really clear on the facts.
no worries...
Fact: Apple hardware is overpriced
Fact: Apple hardware looks flashy and has in-your-face "New Age" design
Fact: Apple fanatics will still buy it
No, haven't looked at this particular gem. Article had no [link to] photo.