iPod talks, Apple whispers
Could Apple's (AAPL) new product marketing machinery get any more efficient?
Gone are those high production value Macworld keynotes starring Steve Jobs (he last appeared in 2008). Gone too, apparently, are the Special Events for selected press at Apple's Cupertino headquarters (the last, in the fall, featured Jobs).
Last week's refresh of the Mac desktop line was accomplished with a drumroll of spyshots and a pair of press releases, yet there didn't seem to be any lack of media interest. (See here.)
Wednesday's announcement of a new iPod shuffle — "the first music player that talks to you" — was a little more challenging. After all, it involved a price increase (from $49 for the 1 GB square shuffle to $79 for the new 4 GB rectangular model) and a new control mechanism that you might have trouble mastering on your own.
No problem. In this case, all it took was a press release and an online video. You can see "Hannah" give her 4 1/2-minute guided tour of the new shuffle at Apple's website here or watch the YouTube version below the fold.
Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster thinks the new features will drive iPod sales higher and fatten already healthy profit margins. After the announcement, he raised his 2009 fiscal year Apple earnings estimate a few cents, from 5.06 to $5.09 per share.
Munster points to the new shuffle and rumors of a new touchscreen device as encouraging evidence of Apple's continued innovation after the disappointments of Macworld 2009. He believes we will see a new touchscreen device from Apple — either in the form of a tablet computer or a smaller, cheaper MacBook — but not before 2010.
Below: Hannah's iPod shuffle demo.
I think this is a terrible idea. First of all, when the Ipod "talks" to you, you can barley understand it anyway. Second of all, would if you lose your earphones or they stop working, then you can't listen to it, because all of the controls are on the head phones. This is a bad mistake. And third of all, it's just a stupid idea.
I think this is a terrible idea. First of all, when the Ipod "talks" to you, you can barley understand it anyway. Second of all, would if you lose your earphones or they stop working, then you can't listen to it, because all of the controls are on the head phones. This is a bad mistake. And third of all, it's just a stupid idea.
Yeah, the headphones do suck, but they are going to make an adapter that has controls that you can put regular headphones into. It looks like a great product!
Yeah, the headphones do suck, but they are going to make an adapter that has controls that you can put regular headphones into. It looks like a great product!
Big big mistake to have the controls on the headphones. I detest the crappy headphones that come with ipods, they fall out of my ear. Consequently, I will NEVER buy one of these as I immediately throw the headphones away.
This is clearly an attempt to sell more headphones but it is a serious mistake.
Big big mistake to have the controls on the headphones. I detest the crappy headphones that come with ipods, they fall out of my ear. Consequently, I will NEVER buy one of these as I immediately throw the headphones away.
This is clearly an attempt to sell more headphones but it is a serious mistake.
The apple stock earpods…. if they are the same ones with the new shuffle are terrible…I always replace the earphones..now we are screwed..oh well
The apple stock earpods…. if they are the same ones with the new shuffle are terrible…I always replace the earphones..now we are screwed..oh well
I have to agree that controls on the headphones is a mistake. Especially if you use it to work out.
The apple headphones have always be the one thing that leaves alot to be desired.
I have to agree that controls on the headphones is a mistake. Especially if you use it to work out.
The apple headphones have always be the one thing that leaves alot to be desired.
“Gone too, apparently, are the Special Events…”
"you can bet on plenty more Special Events when the “tablet” becomes available , if not sooner…."
Or maybe when a new OS for the iPhone is near…
“Gone too, apparently, are the Special Events…”
"you can bet on plenty more Special Events when the “tablet” becomes available , if not sooner…."
Or maybe when a new OS for the iPhone is near…
RE: "…After all, it involved a price increase (from $49 for the 1 GB square shuffle to $79 for the new 4 GB rectangular model) and a new control mechanism that you might have trouble mastering on your own…."
=====================
Price increase is incorrect.
The SAME product at a HIGHER price is a price increase.
A NEW product with MORE features is NOT a price increase.
MORE memory, a NEW control mechanism, and a completely DIFFERENT design is NEW PRODUCT.
No price increase here!
ex ped: If Apple wanted it to be a new product, maybe they should have given it a different name.
RE: "…After all, it involved a price increase (from $49 for the 1 GB square shuffle to $79 for the new 4 GB rectangular model) and a new control mechanism that you might have trouble mastering on your own…."
=====================
Price increase is incorrect.
The SAME product at a HIGHER price is a price increase.
A NEW product with MORE features is NOT a price increase.
MORE memory, a NEW control mechanism, and a completely DIFFERENT design is NEW PRODUCT.
No price increase here!
ex ped: If Apple wanted it to be a new product, maybe they should have given it a different name.
If Apple are going to introduce new products with presentations made by pretty girls like this one on the video, Steve Jobs can rest and take care of him self without any hurry to come back looking fat.
that ipod shuffle presentation is a breath of fresh air.
If Apple are going to introduce new products with presentations made by pretty girls like this one on the video, Steve Jobs can rest and take care of him self without any hurry to come back looking fat.
that ipod shuffle presentation is a breath of fresh air.
First thing I did to my son's iPod Shuffle was to hack it so it wasn't tied to iTunes. Steve Jobs wants to dictate exactly HOW you will use his stuff. I won't buy any of it. I was considering migrating to a Mac until my son got the iPod.
First thing I did to my son's iPod Shuffle was to hack it so it wasn't tied to iTunes. Steve Jobs wants to dictate exactly HOW you will use his stuff. I won't buy any of it. I was considering migrating to a Mac until my son got the iPod.
Hmmm – a mechanism wired into the headphones – pretty much means you can't substitute your own (better) headphone. As per (a lot of) other posts, this a non-starter until other 'headphone companies' make h'phones with compatible mechanisms.
ex ped: 3rd party earphones for the new iPod shuffles have already started to show up. See here.
Hmmm – a mechanism wired into the headphones – pretty much means you can't substitute your own (better) headphone. As per (a lot of) other posts, this a non-starter until other 'headphone companies' make h'phones with compatible mechanisms.
ex ped: 3rd party earphones for the new iPod shuffles have already started to show up. See here.
The thing with the headphones is stupid. But, it's a much increased storage size and the voice thing seems cool to me. I still wouldn't buy one, because I'd want an ipod with at least 12 GB anyways.
The thing with the headphones is stupid. But, it's a much increased storage size and the voice thing seems cool to me. I still wouldn't buy one, because I'd want an ipod with at least 12 GB anyways.
Joe Sacto…the question is have you tried it? Why would you want something that talks to you when your in the gym where its loud anyways? Your the real moron.
Joe Sacto…the question is have you tried it? Why would you want something that talks to you when your in the gym where its loud anyways? Your the real moron.
What a bunch of whiners! How many of you posters have even tried out this device? Let me guess…ZERO!
So how much did Microsoft pay you all to post here?
What a bunch of whiners! How many of you posters have even tried out this device? Let me guess…ZERO!
So how much did Microsoft pay you all to post here?
The only reason for me to buy one is more then one playlist. So I'll wait till someone offers a better headphone for it.
The only reason for me to buy one is more then one playlist. So I'll wait till someone offers a better headphone for it.
I am a big time apple guy, but this is absolute crap. So I can't use my own headphones, and I can't even go back to a previous song? From the video, it seems you can only go forward. Not to mention the annoying voice that will probably pronounce everything incorrectly. Tim Cook, did Steve Jobs convince you to try LSD?
I am a big time apple guy, but this is absolute crap. So I can't use my own headphones, and I can't even go back to a previous song? From the video, it seems you can only go forward. Not to mention the annoying voice that will probably pronounce everything incorrectly. Tim Cook, did Steve Jobs convince you to try LSD?
The ear buds never have worked for me because my perspiration drips into them and muffles the sound. They also tend to fall out of place. I prefer headphones over my ears which makes this new ipod shuffle useless to me.
The ear buds never have worked for me because my perspiration drips into them and muffles the sound. They also tend to fall out of place. I prefer headphones over my ears which makes this new ipod shuffle useless to me.
How am i going to be able to use my auxiliary wire in my car? )))
I think controls should be on device itself. This idea is not so good unless other companies start producing earphones designed for this shuffle with control module.
Things sould be simpler.
How am i going to be able to use my auxiliary wire in my car? )))
I think controls should be on device itself. This idea is not so good unless other companies start producing earphones designed for this shuffle with control module.
Things sould be simpler.
The first thing I do when I buy a new Mac is replace the mouse with a real mouse. When I buy a new iPod or Shuffle, I replace the earbuds with a real earphones. But oops! No anymore. This is a mistake.
The first thing I do when I buy a new Mac is replace the mouse with a real mouse. When I buy a new iPod or Shuffle, I replace the earbuds with a real earphones. But oops! No anymore. This is a mistake.
Gee…looks cool to me! They'll sell a lot of these, and making the repeated high margin sale when folks lose these special earbuds will more than offset those that won't buy it because it's no longer a generic attachment. Smart business folks these Apple people. It's almost like they're in this to make a profit (how un-American is that!)
Gee…looks cool to me! They'll sell a lot of these, and making the repeated high margin sale when folks lose these special earbuds will more than offset those that won't buy it because it's no longer a generic attachment. Smart business folks these Apple people. It's almost like they're in this to make a profit (how un-American is that!)
I think this new iPod Shuffle is just to distract and hold us over until the iTablet, though I know not many runners are going to want to run with the iTablet… I would however, love to see eBook compatibility with the iTablet, and an iPen for drawing cartoons and then emailing them to my friends, or storing them to the cloud, from the iTablet. Do I hear June on the iTablet???
I think this new iPod Shuffle is just to distract and hold us over until the iTablet, though I know not many runners are going to want to run with the iTablet… I would however, love to see eBook compatibility with the iTablet, and an iPen for drawing cartoons and then emailing them to my friends, or storing them to the cloud, from the iTablet. Do I hear June on the iTablet???
Am I the only one who loses apple earbuds out of my ears when running, which is one of the main reasons I would want a small player? This is a mistake to force controls into the headphones…
Am I the only one who loses apple earbuds out of my ears when running, which is one of the main reasons I would want a small player? This is a mistake to force controls into the headphones…
if you want to sell your old or broken shuffle or iPod check out http://www.buymytronics.com
if you want to sell your old or broken shuffle or iPod check out http://www.buymytronics.com
I am an Apple fanboy and this is the silliest product ever out of Cupertino. If people buy this crap we are really doomed.
I don't use earbuds and can't control this thing in any way. The computerized voice is a joke.
Will stick to my Shuffle 3Gen!
After the disappointment on Mac's price increase in UK here is another blow.
Steve please come back!
The fact Gene Munster increases his target on a totally not important product as the Shuffle says it all about the competence of these analysts!
I am an Apple fanboy and this is the silliest product ever out of Cupertino. If people buy this crap we are really doomed.
I don't use earbuds and can't control this thing in any way. The computerized voice is a joke.
Will stick to my Shuffle 3Gen!
After the disappointment on Mac's price increase in UK here is another blow.
Steve please come back!
The fact Gene Munster increases his target on a totally not important product as the Shuffle says it all about the competence of these analysts!
So now I lose my replay/rewind ability and I have to click twice to go to the next song? So to go forward 5 songs I have to click the thing 10 times???Sounds like a pain to change songs now.
So now I lose my replay/rewind ability and I have to click twice to go to the next song? So to go forward 5 songs I have to click the thing 10 times???Sounds like a pain to change songs now.
It was announced earlier today :
http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/11/technology/talking_iPod.reut/index.htm
Apple unveils smaller, talking iPod shuffle
Latest version of the digital music player announces songs to users.
March 11, 2009: 9:52 AM ET
Big whoopie. A computer-synthesized disk jockey. A droning monotonic voice.
How will it announce the song "Clap for the Wolfman" ? Guess who ! Steve Jobs !
It was announced earlier today :
http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/11/technology/talking_iPod.reut/index.htm
Apple unveils smaller, talking iPod shuffle
Latest version of the digital music player announces songs to users.
March 11, 2009: 9:52 AM ET
Big whoopie. A computer-synthesized disk jockey. A droning monotonic voice.
How will it announce the song "Clap for the Wolfman" ? Guess who ! Steve Jobs !
Wow! The shuffle has finally added a feature (multiple playlists) that I have been using on my non-apple "shuffle" mp3 player now for 3 years. Maybe they will copy another competitor and add a radio and call it the new and improved shuffle 6.2 and charge you 100 dollars for it.
Wow! The shuffle has finally added a feature (multiple playlists) that I have been using on my non-apple "shuffle" mp3 player now for 3 years. Maybe they will copy another competitor and add a radio and call it the new and improved shuffle 6.2 and charge you 100 dollars for it.
One of these days they will come out with something a little more practical that doesn't break, or use cheap components. hmmmmm… one of these days…
One of these days they will come out with something a little more practical that doesn't break, or use cheap components. hmmmmm… one of these days…
Love how with the new shuffle you're stuck with the crummy Apple earbuds. Way to go Apple…make us listen to the low quality 128k music from iTunes through lower quality headphones. Thanks!!
Love how with the new shuffle you're stuck with the crummy Apple earbuds. Way to go Apple…make us listen to the low quality 128k music from iTunes through lower quality headphones. Thanks!!
The fact that you can't apparently use non-apple earphones is an instant product killer. Apple earphone always break and are very uncomfortable when running. Apple's 1st miss on the shuffle line.
The fact that you can't apparently use non-apple earphones is an instant product killer. Apple earphone always break and are very uncomfortable when running. Apple's 1st miss on the shuffle line.
Just another way for Apple to force their own accessories on to you. I'm guessing when the headphones break (ipod headphones ALWAYS break), you can't use regular ones with this shuffle, since these ones have controls built in.
And on that same note, i think putting the controls that high up and close to your face is inconvenient. I love the shuffle I have now. So light and so easy to use!
Just another way for Apple to force their own accessories on to you. I'm guessing when the headphones break (ipod headphones ALWAYS break), you can't use regular ones with this shuffle, since these ones have controls built in.
And on that same note, i think putting the controls that high up and close to your face is inconvenient. I love the shuffle I have now. So light and so easy to use!
"Gone too, apparently, are the Special Events…"
I wouldn't jump to conclusions so fast…
you can bet on plenty more Special Events when the "tablet" becomes available , if not sooner….
"Gone too, apparently, are the Special Events…"
I wouldn't jump to conclusions so fast…
you can bet on plenty more Special Events when the "tablet" becomes available , if not sooner….
Not really feeling this. I don't want to have to lift my hand every time I want to change a song.