September 26th, 2005
Apple hit parade may have a clunker
Apple has had an unprecedented string of hits over the last few years. In fact, like the record companies that Steve Jobs is arguing with, Apple has relied on major hits, not the long tail, to fill its coffers. Recent complaints about the iPod nano screen getting scratched easily could put a damper on sales of what most people have labeled a really cool device. As John Paczkowski of Good Morning Silicon Valley puts it, "iPod nano is fast becoming Apple’s next Cube." Jobs, the perfectionist of product design and quality, must be apoplectic. Replacing the screens or adding a protective shield would be more difficult than dealing with iPod battery issues…
Dan Farber, editor-in-chief of CNET News.com, has more than 20 years of experience as an editor and journalist covering technology. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
