We asked a sampling of companies involved in developing iPod accessories to give us their feedback on the iPod Photo and U2 iPod. Other questions included when they will bring new iPod Photo cases to market (if any) and what they thought about our recently released iLounge Buyers’ Guide 2004.
Teski
What’s your general reaction to the new iPod Photo?
Cool! We are back to the first generation of a new product line, just like when the first 5GB iPod was released. Look back at the first generation iPod and compare it to the current fourth generation. We are in for a wild ride!
What do you think about the new color screen?
The next logical move. Apple has a handle on power consumption and it can only get better from here.
What do you think about the new photo feature?
A good first step, the real surprises we believe will take off in the next two generations.
How does this affect your iPod products?
Slight mold adjustment. Though it did take everyone by surprise that Apple increased the depth of their iPod when every generation showed a decrease.
When can customers expect updated cases/products?
Available December 1st
Will the relatively high price of iPod Photo deter you from making large runs of accessories for it? If so, why?
No
What do you think about the new iPod U2 Special Edition?
Interesting niche market. We are curious if Apple will continue to explore this.
What do you think about the iLounge Buyers’ Guide 2004?
It’s cool. You can tell Dennis took a long time creating a professional reference for all. Who knows how big it will be 3 years from now?
iSkin, Inc.
What’s your general reaction to the new iPod Photo?
Not surprised at all that Apple went this route. It is line with what iRiver did with their new player.
What do you think about the new color screen?
It is vivid and quite nice, this has got to be every photographers dream gadget. Perhaps one day we can do our presentations from an iPod.
What do you think about the new photo feature?
Its excellent for an array of people, photographers, industry types and models etc. It can be an electronic portfolio of sorts.
How does this affect your iPod products?
It has no bearing on our product whatsoever.
When can customers expect updated cases/products?
We will have a constant rollout starting in January 2005. It will be lots of fun.
Will the relatively high price of iPod Photo deter you from making large runs of accessories for it? If so, why?
Not at all, it will take a few minor changes to have something ready, not only that our eVo 2 40 Gig fits the Photo iPod very well.
What do you think about the new iPod U2 Special Edition?
Great marketing tool for both the platform and U2, it will undoubtedly lead to sales for both companies.
What do you think about the iLounge Buyers’ Guide 2004?
It was well done! I think Dennis and company need to bring out a magazine, you guys would kill it.
Digital Lifestyle Outfitters
What’s your general reaction to the new iPod Photo?
At first glance, all of the photo browsing and display features of iPod photo can be found in most digital cameras. Additionally, digital cameras can be used to take pictures (duh!), video . . . and are more mature than iPod from a product lifecycle standpoint. I also think the iPod’s display is too small and falls short for direct photo browsing and display.
On the flip side, the shear storage capacity of iPod photo should make it a reasonable place for people to mirror their photo albums and share them via televisions, and as digital music distribution becomes the de facto method of purchasing music, large storage capacity devices become increasingly desirable. The color display and extended utilization of ID3 tags via album cover art are a welcome and huge improvement. With video out capability and look to see iPod evolve into a portable video storage and playback device.
What do you think about the new color screen?
It is great. The display is bright, crisp and clean for its size. I would look to see a color screen added to regular iPod and iPod mini in the near future.
What do you think about the new photo feature?
I am not sure exactly sure if this makes iPod better or more useful. For the vast majority of iPod users, iPod is music player first and foremost. The photo feature has added physical size and considerable cost to iPod photo. And as mentioned earlier, I think the only thing that separates iPod photo and most digital cameras is storage capacity.
When can customers expect updated cases/products?
As always, we are working on them as I write.
Will the relatively high price of iPod Photo deter you from making large runs of accessories for it? If so, why?
Market demand and our reseller base will determine the size of our product runs. We will make the new products regardless, however. It has been our experience that the 20G iPod significantly outsells the 40G iPod (price must be the driving factor here) and we think that this trend will continue to hold true with the more expensive iPod photo.
What do you think about the new iPod U2 Special Edition?
This is a great way for Apple to attach to the buzz surrounding a new album while promoting iPod and iTunes. More importantly it will provide them with market feedback about what really is the best color to make iPod in. I still want to know what U2 got out of the deal?
Matias Corporation
What’s your general reaction to the new iPod Photo?
Jobs knows what he’s doing. This is clearly the next logical step for the
iPod, and a good reason to keep increasing the size of the hard drive.
You can never have too much room for photos!
What do you think about the new color screen?
It’s very nice, but it doesn’t seem to have a brightness control. I
would’ve liked that, so that I could lower the brightness to conserve
battery power, like I do with my PowerBook.
What do you think about the new photo feature?
I think it’s a great idea. If you export slides from Keynote/PowerPoint
to iPhoto, then you can do slide presentations directly from the iPod.
Very cool stuff, and a good excuse for business users to expense an iPod
Photo. Steve, are you listening? 😉
How does this affect your iPod products?
Our current case fits it, which we’ve very happy about.
When can customers expect updated cases/products?
Pretty soon. 🙂
Will the relatively high price of iPod Photo deter you from making
large runs of accessories for it? If so, why?
No, I don’t think so. We usually make our products fit a range of iPod
sizes, so this will not be a problem for us.
What do you think about the new iPod U2 Special Edition?
It’s neat. I think it was a smart move on both their parts. Both parties
got a ton of promotion out of it, more than they would have separately.
It’s a win-win situation.
WWhat do you think about the iLounge Buyers’ Guide 2004?
It’s great. Lots of products and quite well done. More comprehensive
than anything you’d see for sale on a magazine stand.
DVForge, Inc.
What’s your general reaction to the new iPod Photo?
Smart move by Apple. It simultaneously offers a premium product to both space-hungry zillon-song collectors, and to luxury, I-don’t-care-about-price buyers. Plus, it cleverly positions the $300 and $400 iPods as “mid-range” products, where they were previously the high-end products. Great thinking by Apple, going into the holidays.
What do you think about the new color screen?
It’s sharp, clear, and gives a whole new feel of precision and enjoyment to using the iPod for either pics or music.
What do you think about the new photo feature?
I immediately put all of our company product, design, engineering, and marketing photos on mine, and have already used it in meetings and casual get togethers, as well as just for myself, to scroll through and see specific shots. It’s a behavior-altering feature to always have your photo collection at hand, once you get used to the idea.
How does this affect your iPod products?
It doesn’t. Everything we have coming anticipated the slight weight and thickness increases. That was just luck, as Apple didn’t tell us it was coming.
When can customers expect updated cases/products?
China was shifting gears within moments of the announcement, and the whole industry will have products within another week or two.
Will the relatively high price of iPod Photo deter you from making large runs of accessories for it? If so, why?
We will not make model-specific accessories, as we consider it bad business. All of our stuff will work with all iPods.
What do you think about the new iPod U2 Special Edition?
You don’t “think” about a novelty product like that. You either like it, and buy one, or you let it pass. I bought one.
What do you think about the iLounge Buyers’ Guide 2004?
I was stunned at the comprehensiveness and quality. Had our 2005 products been ready to launch, we would have been there. I guarantee we will be next Christmas.
RadTech LLC
What’s your general reaction to the new iPod Photo?
A great evolutionary step! Brings us one step closer to “your life in your pocket.”
What do you think about the new color screen?
Great quality, very sharp – would like have control over backlight intensity.
What do you think about the new photo feature?
I’ve been so ready for this – anything that keeps Grandma from poking at my PowerBook screen is a godsend.
How does this affect your iPod products?
No change to our offerings was necessary, and we’ve seen a measurable spike in large PodSleevz sales.
When can customers expect updated cases/products?
We we’re ready to go within 48 hours of the announcement thanks to our amazing crew – kudos to the PodSleevz team!!
Will the relatively high price of iPod Photo deter you from making large runs of accessories for it? If so, why?
Since our 4G-40GB PodSleevz fit the photo well, it’s not really an issue for us.
We have increased baseline inventory levels by 20% to cover the photo, and will adjust that figure up or down as sales warrant.
What do you think about the new iPod U2 Special Edition?
Looks good. I’d love to see more complete artist compilations become available, and a $50 off coupon bundled with every iPod…
What do you think about the iLounge Buyers’ Guide 2004?
Wow, great content, and so beautifully done – strong work guys!! Keep ‘em coming!
Senacases
What’s your general reaction to the new iPod Photo?
Answer here: We are expecting different variations/extension of classical iPod models. Photo feature is a trivial extension.
Although, photo is not as useful as music in ipod… it is just marketing …
What do you think about the new color screen?
I think the color screen in ipod photo is not good enough as a photo viewer, however, just color screen itself brings life to iPod.
What do you think about the new photo feature?
My answer to first question is valid for this too
How does this affect your iPod products?
We will make a special case for this model.
When can customers expect updated cases/products/books?
In a month.
Will the relatively high price of iPod Photo deter you from making large runs of accessories for it? If so, why?
No, because we are going to provide only high-end cases. iPod photo buyers will definitely consider buying a Sena case.
What do you think about the new iPod U2 Special Edition?
Nice touch but … Again marketing thing … but I do not think it is good marketing to deviate much from classical looks
What do you think about the iLounge Buyers’ Guide 2004?
It is perfect! If nothing changes, we would like to be part of it next year.
SendStation Systems
What’s your general reaction to the new iPod Photo?
I wasn’t as excited as with the release of the iPod mini (still the best, because handiest iPod IMO). Yet, Apple has done a nice job for those users seeking for color.
What do you think about the new color screen?
Personally I don’t feel the need for a color screen. The problem is that existing color displays still require backlight activation to be read conveniently. That’s why I use a simple, outdated Sony SEM-100 cell phone which has a grey-scale LCD (and no other gadgets such as a camera either). Remember the PowerBook 100 or 170? OK, it had a b/w screen, but it was perfectly readable with backlight turned off and even in bright sunlight 🙂
What do you think about the new photo feature?
I think it’s appealing to photo professionals who need to give customer presentations once in a while, but I don’t believe it’ll attract a broad market, especially due to its rather high price tag. I guess the related Joy of Tech cartoon says it all ->
How does this affect your iPod products?
Not. All existing and upcoming iPod products are and will be compatible with the iPod Photo.
When can customers expect updated cases/products/books?
No comment.
Will the relatively high price of iPod Photo deter you from making large runs of accessories for it? If so, why?
No comment.
What do you think about the new iPod U2 Special Edition?
Personally I would have given it a black scroll wheel.
What do you think about the iLounge Buyers’ Guide 2004?
Excellent piece of work.
