Trio, Mike and Eric....
It's plain you guys don't own an iPod. <g>
Ipods are open, in that they can be hooked up to either Macs, or to PCs. They initially only worked thru firewire to MaCS, 1st generation. Therefore, PC guys like me couldn't take advantage.
Not wanting to repeat the mistakes of the late 80s, and early 90s, Apple fined tuned their software, Itunes, to load onto Windows, and at the same time, PCs became available with firewire ports. Also, Apple made cross-connectors between their iPods and USB porst, so that PC owners without firewire ports could still hook up.
Gentlemen (loose definition), that is why the iPod has exploded in sales, its useability by the 90-95% of the market that is Windows-based and not MAC-based. This makes the device shaded towards open architecture.
OTOH, Eric points out nicely that the iTunes files that one downloads will only work on the iPod (AAC format, I think), and cleverly not on other MP3 players. That raises the switching costs, Mike. However, the truly dedicated audiophile can find programs that may 'convert' an AAC file to MP3, thereby converting this digital file to useability on other players besides iPod.
I agree with Eric that cell phones with MP3 capability will evolve .............but I disagree that they will sizably dent Apple's marketshare. Here's why, speaking only from my point of view:
1. For us runners and workout guys who have an MP3 player strapped to the arm or waist, a Nokia phone just doesn't seem like a good fit in that athletic situation, running a 10K. At least, not in the shortterm.
2. There are no adaptors for Nokia MP3 players with Bose sounddocks, or with BMWs, to play music or audiobooks, etc. These may come, but will be late, I suspect.
3. I actually think the cell phone/MP3 conversion device will expand the world's capacity for MP3 music, and will hopefully make cell phones still more attractive......but I don't feel these converged devices will knock out the iPods being bought by those who already can afford to buy a devoted iPod music device. JMHO.
Good thread on the topic, thank you for all the contributions. As I tried to say before, (Kumar: Apple may be a chimp in PCs), but this iPod phenomenon is of another dimension. I think this is an ill-fated comparison between apples and oranges....or rather chimps with gorillas, or between PCs and MP3 players. Ie, 2 different industries.
Apollo |
