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The Apple Event: my score
By Michael Lundberg | September 5, 2007
Well, the big iPod and music focused Apple event has come and gone. From what I’ve read on the Apple sites, feedback has been mostly positive. I won’t rehash what the major Apple sites have already reported, but let’s get a quick recap of what happened today, what didn’t happen and how my predictions turned out.
So, what did we get today? To recap:
- Ringtones - created from songs from iTunes, they cost $0.99/ringtone in addition to the cost of the song itself (which you must also buy)
- Colored iPod Shuffles, including a PRODUCT (RED) iPod Shuffle
- Completely new iPod Nanos (4 and 8 gb versions) which include video playback, coverflow, and the new iPod user interface
- The 6th generation iPod is renamed iPod Classic and now comes in 80 gb and 160 gb versions
- Finally, the iPhone-without-a-phone-iPod is finally released and called the iPod Touch (8 and 16 gb versions)
- iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store for iPhones and iPod Touch that allow users to purchase music while on the go
- Elimination of the 4 gb model iPhone and reduction of price of the 8 gb model to $399- that’s a savings of $200!
- Apple-Starbucks partnership that allows free iTunes Wi-Fi browsing at all Starbucks and unique functionality that will allow iPod users to purchase the music that was just played in the store
Alright, then. So what didn’t happen?
- No Beatles music on the iTunes Store yet (though the music of the Beatles and John Lennon were featured several times in the presentation)
- No “iPhone Nano” with a reduced form factor and feature set
What’s the feedback been?
From what I’ve read, everyone’s feedback has been good with the exception of two things: 1) the iPhone price cut was drastic and too close the original release date. Many early adopters (myself included) are outraged that had they waited 2 months, they would’ve gotten twice the memory (4 vs. 8 gb) for $100 less.
The second negative feedback has been on the pricing for ringtones. I have to admit that I too am a little frustrated by this, but I don’t really feed that Apple is to blame. Remember - the cost of the ringtones are driven by the content providers - not Apple. The sheer greed of the record companies never ceases to amaze me.
How did my predictions turn out?
- A revised widescreen video iPod - I rated this at 90% and it happened (iPod Touch)
- A revised iPod Nano - I rated this at 85% and it happened (new iPod Nanos)
- The Beatles on iTunes -I rated this at 85% and it definitely didn’t happen. C’mon Steve, you killing us with this one! You’ve teased us with Beatles references at several press releases. Just release it and get it out here!
- iPhone ringtones - I rated this at 80% and it happened
- A revised iPhone Nano - I rated this at 40% and it also didn’t happen.
Overall, I got 3 out of 5 predictions correct, which isn’t all that bad. Let’s see how I do for the next Apple event…
Topics: Apple |