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First on TMO - Apple Introduces iPod Socks (W/Photo)

by , 4:10 PM EDT, October 26th, 2004


Apple's new iPod Sock
(Click the thumbnail for larger image.)

SAN JOSE, Calif -- During Thursday's U2 event in the California Theater, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced Apple's first iPod accessory, the iPod Sock. The socks come five to a package, with one each in green, purple, orange, pink, and blue.

Packaged just like normal socks (see accompanying photos), the accessory is intended to keep your iPod warm, or so Mr. Jobs quipped during his presentation.

Those in attendance offered Mr. Jobs a round of enthusiastic applause when it became clear that this was indeed a real product.

iPod socks will be priced at US$29, and are expected to ship in mid-November.

As of this writing, the company has not posted information on the new product on its iPod accessories site, or on the Apple Store.


Steve Jobs presents iPod Socks
on the big screen at the California Theater.
(Click the thumbnail for larger image.)

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Small White Car Posts: 1960 Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Subject: Re: Apple Introduces iPod Socks (W/Photo)

Quote
Article wrote:
Those in attendance offered Mr. Jobs a round of enthusiastic applause when it became clear that this was indeed a real product.


I'm, uh...still waiting to be sure that this is a real product.

I'll get back to you in a little while after I've had some time to think about this...

Close Name:scottk Posts: 994 Joined: 25 Jun 2001
Subject: Funny because ...

Wow. When I saw this, sure, I thought it was fake. But afterward, I figured it was a real sock ... like the ultimate geek christmas present -- ipod socks. And then the ipod tie, etc.

But for someone standing at the bus stop in the frigid winter, how bad of an idea is this? Not bad at all. In fact, totally Apple.

Close Name:Small White Car Posts: 1960 Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Subject: Ok

Ok, I've had some time to think. I've reached these conclusions:

1) It IS a real product.

2) It is NOT a real sock. It is iPod sized, and iPod shaped. It is only for keeping your iPod warm.

3) Why do iPods need to be kept warm? Don't they warm themselves when on? Don't people keep them in their coat pockets anyway? Who knows why this exists?

4) Isn't this the same as putting a little sweater on a tiny dog? Isn't that stupid?


Anyway, it's actually really funny, 'cause last year my wife took a design class where they had to create packaging. She made a clear plastic box that came with (actual) socks inside. The design of the box was what mattered for the class, not the fact that selling socks in a box is not really a great marketing idea...but NOW this! Her teacher only thought her sock box was "ok" but now, a year later, Steve Jobs did the same thing!

She ought'a go back and find that teacher and tell him he was behind the times...she should've gotten an A!

That aside, this is an odd, odd product.

Close Name:pyxl8 Posts: 171 Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Subject: Mysterious 6th color?

OK, people will buy this for their iPod toting friends and family as holiday gifts because it's at the perfect price point (<$30) and it is NON-technical and goes with everyone's iPods. No brainer. Apple will sell millions of 'em!

EXCEPT...

1. No white? Guess that's too boring and too much like, well, gym socks.

2. What's with that 6th color?!!! A hint of a new royal blue/purple iPod yet to come?

-Ken

PS: I can't get the idea of a retro Laugh-In "sock it to me"-themed TV commercial out of my head though...

Close Name:Engine Joe Posts: 413 Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Subject: Hah!

My girlfriend is ahead of the curve - she knit me an iPod sock last winter. Seriously. Multicolored, too, though in stripes.

Close Name:someToast Posts: 1448 Joined: 11 Jun 2001
Subject: Socks n' socks

I've carried my iPod in a cut-off sock since getting my first iPod 2 1/2 years ago (and carry my 4G in the same sock today).

http://www.macobserver.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8198

Dammit, where are my licensing fees?  

View Name:Guest
Subject: It seems to be a grass roots thing
View Name:Guest
Subject: Got it!
Close Name:jfw Posts: 13 Joined: 05 Dec 2001
Subject: You mean this isn't the Crazy Apple Rumors Site?

I saw the headline and thought I had chosen the wrong bookmark.

One reason you might want to keep your iPod warm is that batteries tend to lose capacity when really cold. However, I would think that the little belt clip current iPods come with should be adequate for keeping an iPod warm enough to retain full capacity.

View Name:Guest
Subject:
View Name:Guest
Subject: WARM??
View Name:Guest
Subject: great idea
View Name:Guest
Subject: Undies next?
View Name:Guest
Subject: Utterly lame...
View Name:Guest
Subject: iPod Socks
View Name:Guest
Subject: Sorry, but you're the dumbass, dumbass
View Name:Guest
Subject: This won't warm the ipod...
View Name:Guest
Subject: all I can say is:
View Name:Guest
Subject: foofpod is better
View Name:Guest
Subject: wow ITS FAKE
View Name:Guest
Subject: The socks won't keep iPod warm...
View Name:Guest
Subject: iPod Socks are out!
Close Name:Intruder -   TMO Mac Specialist Posts: 3078 Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Subject: Re: iPod Socks are out!

Quote
Anonymous wrote:
these are really stupid, if anything they will keep your ipod extremely bright so when you lose it it will stand out, I guess u could write ur name on the sock so people kno whos ipod it is... JUST TAKE A FRICKEN SOCK YOU ALREADY HAVE AND STICK IT OVER THE iPOD!!!! IT WORKS JUST AS GOOD FOR A SMALLER PRICE!!!! the price is ridiculous, I think apple has truly lost it with their prices!!!! I MEAN A GAY PINK SOCK FOR 30$$$ BUCKS???!!! WHAT KIND OF RETARDS ARE WORKING FOR APPLE THESE DAYS??? I COULD MAKE MILLIONS BY JUST COLORING A SOCK AND SELLING EM IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD!!!! omg


Well they beat you to it and are now making money off of these colored socks.

And people are buying them.

View Name:Guest
Subject: What a genius huh?
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