Is Apple killing itself!

[grider]

Just a food for thought.

With the launch of iPhones for $199, is Apple killing its iPod product lines which are priced at the same range? I'm sure a person who can afford a 4GB iPod for $130 would want to give $199 iPhone series a shot!

-- Grider

 

[EricNau]

Not everyone wants to spend $30/month for an iPhone, however.

 

[italiano40]

I think they just want to merge their ipod and iphone and i think in the next couple of years i think ipods will be phased out and iphones will be that replacement

 

[zioxide]

No. The iPhone comes with a $80/month contract.


Some people just want an iPod because they already have a phone.

 

[Drumjim85]

you're forgetting about the $70+ a month service
charge.. I can see a lot of people wanting to listen to their music without that monthly bill...

 

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I think size may be an issue to consider here as well. For some the iPhone and iPod Touch are too bulky.

 

[grider]

Thats true there. But I still believe it would reach a stage where iPods will no longer be valued, simply due to the power of iPhones! iPod touch, to me was just a device to give people a feel of multi touch!

Well what do you say about changing the iPod into a gaming platform, coupled with accelerometer? That could give a competition for Wii + PSP!

 

[BlakTornado]

Thats true there. But I still believe it would reach a stage where iPods will no longer be valued, simply due to the power of iPhones! iPod touch, to me was just a device to give people a feel of multi touch!

Jobs even said it was "training wheels for the iPhone"...

 

[grider]

Jobs even said it was "training wheels for the iPhone"...

SO there you go It actually could kill iPods ?! What do you think?

 

[Me1000]

Jobs even said it was "training wheels for the iPhone"...

When?

 

[grider]

When?

I remember it too as a casual comment during the WWDC2008. I should go back and listen to confirm.

 

[juanster]

yeah I really dont see it happening either. Remember the picture of the chair. About apple being mac music ( ipod+ iTunes) and iPhone? I don t think they would want to kill or cut off one of those legs not that the iPhone doesn't help the music leg as well. And not that I have any numbers with me or anything but iTunes I think I think sells more in other venues differently thab with the iTunes store and I do not think they would want to risk that. I do not think iPhone could surpass sales on iTunes. Over of users and mac users on their desktops

 

[BlakTornado]

When?

At some interview of some sort over the past year.

I'm not sure if it was the september 07 one... Could have been. Either that or the UK iPhone launch.

He definitely said it.

Edit: Was UK iPhone launch. Link.

 

[hexonxonx]

Jobs even said it was "training wheels for the iPhone"...

I remember that comment very well. It made me think that they really didn't want to make the iPod Touch but then decided to in hopes that people would eventually buy the iPhone as well.

 

[Killyp]

Thats true there. But I still believe it would reach a stage where iPods will no longer be valued, simply due to the power of iPhones! iPod touch, to me was just a device to give people a feel of multi touch!

Well what do you say about changing the iPod into a gaming platform, coupled with accelerometer? That could give a competition for Wii + PSP!

All well and good, but bear in mind:

iPhone + Appropriate Contract - my current contract cost = £210
iPod Touch = £200

The iPod Touch would have taken away from other iPod's sales already if the iPhone was going to.

 

[egor]

I think they just want to merge their ipod and iphone and i think in the next couple of years i think ipods will be phased out and iphones will be that replacement

I'm sure the touch will phase out the other iPods (in some form or another), but I can't see it merging with the iPhone.

Firstly, the iPhone will probably always lag slightly with its tech, probably the camera. No phone is perfect and thats why there are so many out there, so there will be many people who'll want an Apple touch device and a phone with a great camera (or whatever other feature the iPhone doesn't have).

Secondly, not everyone wants to listen to their music on their phone, or watch videos. It drains the battery and they may be expecting a call... or just hate missing calls.

Thirdly, I'm sure the iPhone will always be a premium device and therefore only available on contract (or very expensive on pay as you go).

 

[Consultant]

Nope, Apple is not killing itself.

Reports are that Cell carriers will pay full price (say $400?) for the devices, but make it back with the contract. The total cost over contract time seems to be similar to $400 iPhone and $10/month less for EDGE service.

 

[alphaod]

I would gladly pay $800 for the phone if it were unlocked without a contract.

 

[Bwilky]

I can really see them introducing a cheaper Ipod touch. But As others said, in the keynote he showed a diagram of a stool. If they cut one leg, down goes the stool (company). Personally I will always like my Ipod touch and my other Ipods. Some people actually don't like the touches, but just the regular ones. As long as their making money in that division, I don't see them cutting it.