September 5th, 2007
Apple brings out killer revamped iPods but stabs AT&T in the back
Apple’s done it again and come out with a killer revamp of the iPod line.
What many wanted was an iPhone sans the phone, and Apple has made that dream a reality
Those new iPod touch devices look really cool. So cool that I want one. I know I shouldn’t because they’re first gen and that’s likely to mean all sorts of headaches, but I want one. And because the iPod touch comes equipped with WiFi and that means being able to stay connected when on the move, I can justify wanting one very easily – it’s a productivity tool.
I’m not too sure about the new iPod nanos. If the storage had been boosted up to 16GB then I might overlook the fact that it looks like a tombstone, but since it offers no increase in storage over my existing nano (and I know how fast I filled that up) I’m going to pass.
The iPod touch is, without a doubt, going to be big, but by releasing it Apple has once again demonstrated that it’s a company that doesn’t work well with other companies. The iPod touch competes directly with the iPhone and by releasing it so close to the iPhone, Apple’s stabbed AT&T squarely in the back. A $600 cellphone that requires an ongoing contract was never going to be as big as the iPod, and even with the latest price drop, the exclusive AT&T contract is still a deal-breaker. I knew that the iPhone was overpriced at launch and that the Apple was taking advantage of the hypeWhat many wanted was an iPhone sans the phone, and Apple has made that dream a reality. While the iPod touch doesn’t totally murder the iPhone, it certainly pushes it into the background.
But what’s with the iPhone price drop already? Sheesh, the iHype is hardly over and Apple cuts the price by two hundred notes. Apple is one of a small handful of companies who could cut the price of a product so close to the launch date without upsetting people who’d paid full price for the product. If you recently bought an iPhone and feel a bit miffed that the price has come down, here’s how you can get that $200 back. I know that if I’d stood in line for hours and paid full price for one on the launch day that I’d be feeling more than a little emotional about the price drop. On the other hand, I knew that the iPhone was overpriced at launch and that the Apple was taking advantage of the hype and sticking a vacuum pump into customer’s pockets and sucking until there wasn’t even lint left. Steve Jobs has spoken, the price has been cut, and very few Apple customers will complain. Reality distortion field working at 100%.
Thoughts?
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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