Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Apple's peripheral adventure
I'm working on a news story for tomorrow about what Apple's intentions are with regards to the iPod accessory market, which is currently largely in the hands of third parties, and how Apple's newly-announced speaker system (radio remote, nanotubes, etc) and leather cases play into those intentions. Is Apple slowly trying to take over, or merely nudge the industry along in the right direction? How is Apple's entry into the iPod peripheral market being perceived by the iPod user base? Right now I'm seeing it as a net positive for end users (and the entire aftermarket, for that matter), but there are cases to be made for both sides.
If you have thoughts on the matter one way or the other, feel free to post them in the comments section.
I'm working on a news story for tomorrow about what Apple's intentions are with regards to the iPod accessory market, which is currently largely in the hands of third parties, and how Apple's newly-announced speaker system (radio remote, nanotubes, etc) and leather cases play into those intentions. Is Apple slowly trying to take over, or merely nudge the industry along in the right direction? How is Apple's entry into the iPod peripheral market being perceived by the iPod user base? Right now I'm seeing it as a net positive for end users (and the entire aftermarket, for that matter), but there are cases to be made for both sides.
If you have thoughts on the matter one way or the other, feel free to post them in the comments section.
Comments:
I think Apple didn't want to tick off too many third party manufacturers.
It would be very interesting to see how the iPod hi-fi sounds compared to the Bose SoundDock.
It would be very interesting to see how the iPod hi-fi sounds compared to the Bose SoundDock.
# posted by 
: 7:16 PM
: 7:16 PM
It's interesting to me that both of Apple's new accessories today are similar to existing products, but just about the most expensive of their class. The leather case is about three times as much as other products, and the hi-fi is a little more than the high-end of iPod speaker docks.
Conclusion? This basically ties in with the move of the iPod upmarket. Lots of people in college have one, but the product has also been very successful among career adults -- people who have money but take more convincing before they shell out for a gadget. We're talking corporate execs, accountants, etc. They might appreciate an italian leather case.
The hi-fi is perhaps a harder sell, but maybe I'm saying that because I'm skeptical about the styling. It's certainly a fit for those who are interested in something like a stereo system but don't feel like messing with a shelf of wires. We will see how well it sells, I guess.
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Conclusion? This basically ties in with the move of the iPod upmarket. Lots of people in college have one, but the product has also been very successful among career adults -- people who have money but take more convincing before they shell out for a gadget. We're talking corporate execs, accountants, etc. They might appreciate an italian leather case.
The hi-fi is perhaps a harder sell, but maybe I'm saying that because I'm skeptical about the styling. It's certainly a fit for those who are interested in something like a stereo system but don't feel like messing with a shelf of wires. We will see how well it sells, I guess.
# posted by : 7:30 PM
: 7:30 PM
