iLounge

1

This video remind anyone else of Professor Fink?

Posted by Shaun on February 18, 2004 at 9:05 AM (PST)

2

That was a pretty cool video, but I’m not buying one, I’m perfectly happy with my 15gb.

Posted by MeshAir on February 18, 2004 at 9:08 AM (PST)

3

“That was a pretty cool video, but I’m not buying one, I’m perfectly happy with my 15gb.”

Same here, I think they are nice but for $50 dollars more I would rather wait to buy the 15 gb version if I was still in the market for a new mp3 player.  I have the 15 gb and love it, it is the best mp3 player I have ever had.  I hope the mini does well though.

Posted by Ihaveanipod on February 18, 2004 at 9:15 AM (PST)

4

It’s patently obvious from that video that Apple have really missed the boat on the price. I’m not one of those people that cried tears when I heard it wasn’t going to be $100. But $250 is really, really way off. I think Steve is trying to secure the market as quickly as possible. If we were watching the iPod play catch up, he wouldn’t have released this until the price matched the size.

A definite mis-step. It’ll come down in price by Christmas by a long way I think.

Posted by Lewisham on February 18, 2004 at 9:34 AM (PST)

5

Do 100,000+ pre-orders constitute a failed concept? I think not.
Mine is due to arrive tomorrow.

Posted by wired on February 18, 2004 at 9:36 AM (PST)

6

That’s a great review, Mike—well done, and now I’m anticipating my gold mini even more.  I am preying it will get here tomorrow. 

Posted by Nicky G on February 18, 2004 at 9:38 AM (PST)

7

Mike Wendland always has great reviews in the Freep - one of the reasons why I enjoy reading his column so much.

That video was excellent. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my iPod mini.

Checking that Fed-Ex tracking every hour. How wrong is that?

Posted by jeromius in Detroit on February 18, 2004 at 9:44 AM (PST)

8

Still got my 2nd gen 10gb with px200’s. Lasts 8 hrs on average…. owns this ‘mini’

Posted by Stasyna on February 18, 2004 at 9:45 AM (PST)

9

Great review and thank you for sharing!

Posted by AMG on February 18, 2004 at 9:49 AM (PST)

10

Yeah that was a very nice review, and of course I am still very happy with my 3rd Generation 10Gb iPod, and don’t plan on buying a mini…unless they go down in price…

Posted by kespodder in BG, OH on February 18, 2004 at 9:58 AM (PST)

11

“It’s patently obvious from that video that Apple have really missed the boat on the price. I’m not one of those people that cried tears when I heard it wasn’t going to be $100. But $250 is really, really way off. I think Steve is trying to secure the market as quickly as possible. If we were watching the iPod play catch up, he wouldn’t have released this until the price matched the size. “

I would agree with you if the size were the same. But size matters and this case quite a bit.

For most people the mini iPod is more than good enough at that price. Yes I’d like to see it at $99 but I’d also like to see a Porsche for $99.

One cool thing about the minis is that if you have more songs than will fit on mini it will help you make a selection of songs base on ratings and number of times you listen to the songs and other criteria. Most people won’t have had the time to listen to 1,000 songs between syncs so this would be easily good enough, compared to 245 MB flash MP3 players.

I’m probably quite a bit different than most people. I only sync my iPod when I buy or import new songs. When I do I update/create new Smart Playlists and then sync. I also take it along on quite a few trips each year which makes me want all my songs with me everywhere so I can listen depending on my moods and not wish I didn’t have that one particular play list.

Posted by olsonbw on February 18, 2004 at 10:13 AM (PST)

12

I agree it’s overpriced - but I still bought one.

I did receive a discount though, and for $224 - it seemed like a good deal.

Posted by jeromius in Detroit on February 18, 2004 at 10:22 AM (PST)

13

Damn this #### makes me angry.
I see 128MB players all the time that are more expensive then the Mini.

Posted by moppe in Sweden on February 18, 2004 at 10:26 AM (PST)

14

I’m so tired of people saying the mini is overpriced.

They are completely missing the target market.  The target market is not large capacity (15gb, 20gb, 40gb) players, but rather flash players.  You can’t even compare the two markets.  Apple went after the flash market, and in my opinion, did a good job.

Think of how many people said they would spend $50 more and get the 15gb.  Do you think that is by accident?  I don’t.  Apple knew this all along.  But for those in the flash player market (64mb, 128mb, 256mb, 512mb, etc) spending a few bucks more to get 16 times the space is worth it.  Win-Win for consumer and Apple.

Posted by Tired Of It on February 18, 2004 at 10:29 AM (PST)

15

I initially thought it was over-priced too.

But 100,000 “Pre-Orders”?  No, I’ll happily admit I was 100,000% wrong.  It’s apparently just right!

Posted by AMG on February 18, 2004 at 10:41 AM (PST)

16

The iPod is NOT overpriced—it’s a bargain.  When will people realize that a well-designed product that you actually USE is worth far, far more than something that costs less but that you actually don’t use ...  it’s like the people who buy Dells who boast about how cheap it was, then you ask them what they do with it, and half the time all they do is try and keep it from being infected with viruses.  I find with my Mac i’m usually getting things done, and feel that it, and my new iPod mini, are one of the best ways I can spend my money.

Posted by bruce on February 18, 2004 at 10:41 AM (PST)

17

I think despite what Apple says the iPod Mini is not competing with the Flash players. Apple likes to point out the high-end iRiver Flash players that cost >$200, but there are low-end Flash players that are like $60 now.

For one thing, the Mini is way larger and heavier than any flash player I’ve seen. Folks, the flash players are fricking *tiny* and some way less than an ounce. They fit on your keychain! Try that with an iPod Mini.

Another thing is that they have radio and run for 20 hours on a AAA, this is no small thing and the Mini can’t compete here.

I think people who buy Flash players have already rejected hjard disk players as too big, too bulky, and too power hungry.

I think the only thing the iPod Mini is doing is cannabilizing low-end iPod sales, and competing against the other small-size 4GB players in the market that all cost around $175-$200.

The iPod Mini does not compete with flash players - they are different products for different markets with people buying them for different needs. This is Marketing 101.

Posted by No Flash Competition on February 18, 2004 at 10:47 AM (PST)

18

100,000 units X $250 = $25,000,000. What boat did they miss?

Posted by rico on February 18, 2004 at 10:48 AM (PST)

19

http://www.macminute.com/2004/02/18/prepaiditmscards

Apparently the target market is Target.

Posted by Berad on February 18, 2004 at 10:49 AM (PST)

20

Now what would really be cool is if we see a mini iPod evolution in which they slowly climb in storage capacity as the technology gets cheaper.  I mean the first iPod was 5 gig and what, 2 years later?? its 40. 

Some serious potential there. 

Step 1 - introduce smaller form factor while maintaining existing design as well
Step 2 - upgrade internal storage
Step 3 - profit??

Posted by Xenious on February 18, 2004 at 10:49 AM (PST)