I wonder why the new 1 GBytes model is priced at $199. I recall it was priced at $179 previously. Also, why sell a 6 GBytes version at $299? Creative is trying to cover all bases. So many different color and harddrive capacities.

I see Creative has succumbed to the same deceitful marketing practices as Sony (with regard to purported song capacity). And what wonders that campaign has done for Sony.

Also, I think this points to why it will be a while before Apple increases the bit rate of the iTMS: To do so would mean they'd have to lower the advertised song capacity. I don't see them offering multiple bit rates, either, since this would complicate the buying process, and audiophiles and ÑŒber-geek snobs do not make up a significant market (and the latter would whine about anything other than Ogg, anyway).

Now, onto my predictions: Apple will release a 5- or 6GB iPod mini for $249. If 6GB, Apple will drop the price of the 4GB to $199 (if 5GB, I predict they'll just sell one model, at the current price of $249). Each player will be somewhat "minier;" that is, Apple will decrease their size and weight further, but the overall design remains the same. Continued improvements in firmware and hardware will mean greater battery life without increasing weight.

With this improved battery life, reduced weight, and lower price point, there will be little point in releasing an iPod flash.

Just look through the top sellers in MP3 and electronics category at Amazon.com.

iPod silver mini is still selling very well. So dropping to $199 doesn't make sense. If I am Apple, I will discontinue the gold and green color iPod mini and drop the price of iPod mini to $229, similar to the 4 GBytes Creative Zen Micro.

The idea is to keep the pressure on Creative and set the stage for doubling the capacity to 8 GBytes in the second half of 2005. However, this may not be what Apple will do if what Seagate's claim is true: their hard drive is much cheaper than Hitachi and they have capacity for high volume. Apple will likely release a 5 GBytes iPod mini at $249 and discontinue the current 4 GBytes.

As for the flash iPod, I look through the prices of MP3 players selling at Amazon.com:

256 MBytes flash varies from $68 to $100
512 MBytes flash varies from $114 to $130
1 GBytes flash varies from $150 to $229

Note: I exclude those out-of-date MP3 players that sold at deep discount

Pricing the 1 GBytes flash iPod at $179 is the most appropriate. $199 is reserved for possible reduction of iPod mini to this price and poise the flash iPod to $149 if necessary.

It's interesting that alot of people go on about the Creative Zen Micro when it does not even work on a Mac. Not exactly a competitor, from a Mac point of view.

The Rio Carbon, on the other hand, has similar pricing, includes voice recording, 5gb drive, adjustable equalizer, stopwatch (for what it's worth!), bookmarks, AND works on Macs with or without iTunes! BTW, it's also the world's smallest hard disk based player....

I have both a 3G iPod and the Carbon. I'm finding that the Carbon gets a great deal more use lately.

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Anonymous wrote:
... I have both a 3G iPod and the Carbon. I'm finding that the Carbon gets a great deal more use lately.

what is the carbon?

Rio Carbon is a MP3 player. My question is why use Carbon more often than iPod?