iLounge

1

Amazing, absolutely amazing. The iPod train just seems to keep rolling and rolling.

Posted by iPodNod in London, UK on April 13, 2005 at 3:05 PM (PDT)

2

Remember Creative CEO Sim Wong Hoo’s comments a few months ago after the Shuffle announcement:

“I think the whole industry will just laugh at it… I think it’s a non-starter to begin with.”

The only one laughing now is Steve Jobs, all the way to the bank.

Posted by Fangorn in Texas on April 13, 2005 at 4:08 PM (PDT)

3

Smart - just smart - now at $99, who cannot afford the ‘best,’ - if you buy ANYTHING else, you have to do a 5-minute explnation on why you didn’t get an ipod and unless you work for Napster, people will just think, ‘you had a chance to buy the best and you didn’t?’

And since the ipod is so customizable inside and out, from cases to add-ons to ipod models, an ipod with a KORN wrap is so not even the same thing as a pink crystal wrapped pink ipod yet ... they’re all the same only to the Apple.

Most products fade because people seek alterantives as not to be part of the “mass,” but with the 3rd party customizations available (not to mention the playlists) - no two ipods are exactly the same and thus - no mindshare fade.

Of course, the OS is the best but that’s the given.

Posted by jbelkin on April 13, 2005 at 4:10 PM (PDT)

4

Wow, I’m at a loss…if a topic gets into the constructive debates of market share and price point, but does not extol the zealot evangelism of Apple then the thread gets yanked. This is more marketing than reality. Sad. Price point will drive Apple and eventually, and I do love Apple—Apple will have to face-the-facts. Should someone come out with a lower priced model of another player it will take market share—plain and simple. Let’s not bury our heads in the sand or misuse media to say otherwise. Hype…Americans thrive on it like an addiction.

Posted by FahrenheiPod 451 on April 13, 2005 at 5:21 PM (PDT)

5

Can this be really honestly true when Apple has to access to the number of flash players other companies have sold in Korea, China, Japan, etc. where the flash player is the form factor of choice and may not have that access?

I’m curious as to how they back up the claim.

Posted by stark23x on April 13, 2005 at 8:28 PM (PDT)

6

man this site is LOADED with ads and the actual content is hidden somewhere in here.
I hope to find it soon.
:(

Posted by neuroticomic on April 14, 2005 at 1:55 AM (PDT)

7

@FahrenheiPod 451

Whatever, dude!  Apple’s the one to beat and I’m sure they love being in that position.

“Apple and eventually, and I do love Apple—Apple will have to face-the-facts. Should someone come out with a lower priced model of another player it will take market share—plain and simple.”

Lower priced alternatives exist.  A lot of folks, supposedly “in the know”, have been echoing your sentiments for a long time now, but, so far, it ain’t happening.

P.S.  I don’t think it’s only Americans that thrive on hype.

Posted by Quoth_the_Raven in Herndon, VA on April 14, 2005 at 6:29 AM (PDT)

8

“Should someone come out with a lower priced model of another player it will take market share—plain and simple.”

I totally disagree. People buy the iPod because of its elegant UI and outstanding integration with iTunes and the iTMS. They’re not shopping based on price. If the did, the iPod would still be Mac-only and Dell would be the market leader (which begs the question of whether or not Dell would have come out with a music player had the iPod not been a huge success, but that’s another story).

Posted by bipto in Minneapolis, MN on April 14, 2005 at 6:32 AM (PDT)

9

bipto: I don’t want to put words in 451’s mouth, but I think the topic is flash players.  The Shuffle—while I use mine a lot—leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to its interface.  Fanboys laud the simplicity; I say it’s merely simplistic.  That said, I do use mine because my library’s mostly AACs these days, and unless someone else has a player that allows me to play my media format, the Shuffle will be the winner everytime regardless of cost or features the competition puts up. 

Though it WOULD be nice if the bloody thing had a battery with better charge life…

Posted by flatline response on April 14, 2005 at 5:09 PM (PDT)