SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Non-Tech : Any info about Iomega (IOM)?

 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Mel Boreham who wrote (54041)5/2/1998 8:37:00 AM
From: Les White  Read Replies (1) of 58324
 
Back to 1944

Nice post, Mel. A few more points:

It looks like Sony's launch strategy is based on no OEM's. All they have is a retail external and their own internal. Retailing HiFiz externals won't be so easy because who needs the backwards compatibility since your box already has one. All they'll have to offer is higher capacity disk, cheaper/meg. But they won't be perceived as the standard so they'll probably have little more success than LS-120.

Sony's internals in their own boxes will be the beta test for any other box makers considering switching to HiFiz. And that's gonna take a while. So how long will it take for HiFiz to make any significant penetration into the OEM market? Too long IMO. IOM is already there. Tested, chanelled, available in needed quantities, and way ahead in the ramp to standard heaven.

With all of the early adopters on board with Zip, who is left to convince. The mass market who normally always follows the lead of the early adopters. So Sony has an incredibly tough challenge to say the least.

The problem for Sony is that they don't have a leap frog benefit to offer the consumer. They're giving them 1.4 capability that they already have. A little faster, so what, not really needed. Larger capacity, not needed but Zip 200 is probably waiting in the wings if the market says they want it. Let Sony find out, IOM will respond accordingly. It's basically a "me too" approach with some added features.

IMO this is not near good enough to overcome the installed base lead that IOM already has. Not to mention OEM relationships that Sony will have quite a challenge replicating. Do the box makers really want to follow Sony's lead with HiFiz? Sony is going to have to make it painfully attractive for them to consider it. IOM has been targeting the OEM's for some time now and I'm sure they're ready to chew to the bone if necessary. The war may get ugly but I think IOM has too much lead to be simply brushed aside.

Sony knows all of the above and has acknowledged their challenge in their press release. So they've told their pilots that they may be on a one way mission just like in 1944. Will they return? I wouldn't send my son out with them.

Les
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext