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RSS FeedSeptember 6th, 2010
How Apple plays the pricing game
Ben Kunz, from Bloomberg discusses how Apple’s strategies prompt consumers to buy, buy and buy. The article discusses how iPhone and iPod Touch are closely priced, even though iPhone can do everything that an iPod Touch can do, plus calling. Although the article obviously glosses over the fact that iPhone requires a contract while an iPod doesn’t, that detail aside, it is still the case that Apple’s pricing strategy is probably one of its least discussed weapon. And yes, Apple does try to distinguish itself in order to make the comparisons meaningless, but that is simply the Blue Ocean Strategy at work. More fundamentally my concern is with the hype related to these products and the reality around them are not always in synch. I had an iPod nano and never found it user friendly and ultimately got a Philips MP3 player. iPad is a similar story – it is a great device, but Flash is a deal breaker for me.
[Photo Courtesy: leoncillo sabino]
January 23rd, 2008
My new Philips 1 GB MP3 player
I got me a late Christmas present – a 1 GB Philips MP3 player! This spiffy device is such a relief over my iPod. Phew. I can already sense a change in my mood.
So many plus points!
- It was a breeze to setup – no software to install (though it comes with a CD). I simply connect it using my regular USB-mini USB cable, and presto, it appears as the regular E:. Copy my MP3s, and it is ready to go.
- Runs on a simply AAA battery. Clearly, someone ought to tell Steve Jobs that if you are designing a portable music player, give the user the option of being truly portable.
- No iTunes! (no more comments)
- No weird format – plays MP3, wav, whatever you have. No need to convert (either music or religion)
- Much much smaller than an iPod, and the small visual screen shows the number playing just perfectly.
- You can use this as a voice recorder!
- Costs $42.98 from Walmart, as opposed to $149.99.
- Standards based:
- The same cable that I can use to connect to my blackberry, the bluetooth, camera, GPS can be used to connect to this Philips player. No reason to get a special iPod cable.
- Plays all standard music formats