When it comes to innovation, no one does it quite like Apple. After all the buzz in the blogosphere about Apple’s intentions, Apple rewarded the faithful with the latest iPod lineup. In a word, the new iPods are simply amazing. Beautiful and totally drool-worthy, just like the previous models. This time the interface is the same, but new. A bummer for early adopters is that Apple has slashed the price of the iPhone by $200 in anticipation of the coming holiday season. However, more significant than the revamped user interface is a more subtle change - the evolving ecosystem. And no one is at a better advantage than Apple itself.
The most significant changes include the new nano, now with video; a new iPod touch; and a new iTunes WiFi store.
Nano
The new nano is now more round and has a bright video display. As if the earlier models weren’t stunning enough, the new one looks even more so. And it’s available in black, white/silver, red and pastel colors. The models come in 4Gb and 8Gb capacity. As far as the lower end of the MP3 segment is concerned, they’ve got it covered.
The regular iPods are now iPod Classic, with 80 Gb and 160 Gb capacities, priced at $250 and $350. Now these make my 2-year old video iPod look positively old.
iPod Touch = No PC Required?
The biggest introduction is the new iPod Touch, which has the multi-touch interface Apple introduced on the iPhone. Gone is the familiar scroll wheel, in favor of the multi-touch controls. It looks like the iPhone, operates like the iPhone, but is not an iPhone. Infact, it looks like it’s the iPhone minus the phone capabilities. But the biggest features present are the Safari web browser and WiFi capabilities, until now not available on any iPod (barring the iPhone).
This is an extremely smart move on Apple’s part, because it feeds into the third big piece: integration into the iTunes WiFi portal. In effect, users will be able to browse, listen to, buy and download songs from the iTunes website without being tethered to a PC/Mac. In one swoop, Apple has provided seamless mobility like no other device has. Sure, Microsoft’s Zune has WiFi and users can even share their music (with restrictions), but given that Zune is perceived as an also-ran, no self-respecting geek would wait several hours in line for the Zune. I am not certain if a PC/Mac is required at all, but this WiFi feature is certainly in the correct direction.
User input for the browser is through the virtual keyboard (as on the iPhone), meaning users will have to get used to the non-feedback-giving touch screen, which may be a hassle for some. (I’ve tested it a few times on some iPhones, and it takes a little getting used to). On the other hand, Apple is perhaps priming up its user base to go for the iPhone by providing an interface similar to it. The first rule of usability is providing users a consistent and familiar interface, and in this the iPod Touch succeeds in going two steps forward, but perhaps one step back (in removing the scroll wheel).
Partnering Across the Ecosystem
While the iTune WiFi store is a critical piece in the user experience of the iPod Touch, Apple has gone one step further. Apple has a partnership with Starbucks where the new iPod Touch devices will automatically detect the WiFi hotspots at Starbucks locations. Not only that, the songs currently playing at the location will be available for instant download and purchase. At the click of a (virtual) button on the screen, users can sample the tracks and purchase them. All the purchases will be automatically synced up with their iTunes on the PC.
At the same time, the iPod Touch is integrated with YouTube. YouTube’s featured videos are available at the touch of a button, as are other features. See Apple’s guided tour video here.
The Missing Mobile VoIP?
Considering that the iPod Touch is complete with WiFi (an Internet connection), browsing capabilities, and *almost* a phone, how much of a stretch is it to imagine using it as an actual phone? With the addition of microphone accesory and some neatly hacked software, perhaps somebody might just be able to convert it into a device with a mobile communicator, with voice over WiFi (mobile VoIP). I’m pretty sure that hackers somewhere are thinking along similar lines, if not already in the process of doing it.
Which begs the question whether the iPod’s closed system will really made open at any time for applications. A smarter move on Apple’s part would be to attract developers to both the iPod and iPhone. Not only will Apple earn even more devotion from users, it will also attract establish it as a platform of choice for mobile applications.
What Price Early Adoption?
The biggest surprise was a $200 price drop for the 8Gb iPhone, just months after it was introduced. That’s a 33% drop. The 4Gb iPhone will be phased out. Where does it leave the early adopters? Has Apple just alienated its most ardent followers? To be sure, Apple is giving the $200 back to users, but only if they’ve purchased it in the last 14 days. What about those who stood in the lines for days to buy it? Read Om Malik’s post on it here: how to get your $200 back.
What do you think? Would you go and buy the iPod Touch? Or or would you buy the iPhone? Or wait for the true 3G version of the iPhone?
September 6th, 2007 at 7:40 am
You call it ‘innovation’; I call it ‘feature creep’ - something which you resented greatly in your tech days if I recall correctly. How nice it is however to benefit from it, no?
A poll on Facebook answers your question: 18% say iPod Classic, 23% say iPhone, 31% say iTouch, 4% say iPod Shuffle and a surprising (to me) 24% say iPod Nano (obviously they missed the Mini bus, pun unintended). Respectively 32%, 29% and 13% of those, who say they will get iTouch are in the 18-24, 25-34, and 35-49 age groups.
Make of that what you will. I will get an iTouch on my next US visit which will be the 3rd iPod in my house and the 4th Apple product.
Good marketing but think green and you will know how wasteful for the planet this feature creep is. After all where do the rejected Pods go, if not into landfill (except in the EU where a WEEE directive applies)?
September 6th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Oh, I know, you are thinking “does that ‘green’ thing also not apply to you?”. Of course it does. But my electronic gadgets do not quite make it to the landfill. I still have my first Nokia phone (a 1610 if you are interested) in a sort of electronic museum of sorts!
September 6th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
One man’s innovation is another’s feature creep. One might argue whether the new features in the iPod (WiFi, browser, etc.) are indeed a creep. On the other hand, one could as well argue that this WiFi-enabled iPod is what Apple should have introduced *in the first place*. After all, these features complete the system in essence providing a complete experience for the Pod - browse, listen, download, purchase.
As for rest of the *software* features, yes, they might be a creep for some. But I suspect that Apple’s tight integration (along with the closed platform) limit that creeping featurism, much to the dismay of many hackers, I suppose.
Yes, I still dislike creeping featurism. Most of today’s smartphones suffer from it, including Blackberries and some from Nokia. The only way to simplify is through design and a user-friendly interface.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
As for the question of rejected/old Pods and other electronic items like old cell phones, etc., yes, the renewal cycle of products is a problem for the environment. In time, there will be recyclable batteries if not recyclable shell cases. For now, it looks like they end up as collector’s items eBay.
Thanks for your comments.