Re: iPhone vs Wi-Fi iPod

[quote author=“Mace”]If we’ve to carry only one electronic gadget, what is the one thing it must do?

Make calls?

Access internet?

Views please.

Access the Internet from a WiFi hotspot.

I would rather have a wiPod.  I do not use a cell phone often.  I make all of my calls from my landline at home.  The only time I turn on my cell phone is when I need to make a call, which is not often at all, I only use my cell phone 3 or 4 times per month. I keep it basically as an emregensy contact device, like to call the Auto Club.  My 3 or 4 calls per month (many months no calls) are only to call to let friends/family if I will be late.

So, a wiPod woulld satisfy my needs much better than an iPhone. The iPhone is a very nice device for it’s intended purpose, and if I needed one I would buy it, But, I don’t need, don’t want and have no plans ot buy an iPhone, but I would buy a wiPod.

Andy

Re: iPhone vs Wi-Fi iPod

[quote author=“HotAirBaffoon”][quote author=“see3d”]I have no need for an iPhone (my $8.95/month emergency prepaid works just fine).  However, I could use a wifi bookreader and remote display for my desktops—rollout display!

Actually, you have no need for that as well if you truly only need an emergency phone. All cell phones, in the U.S., are required to be able to make 911 calls regardless of activation/service.

This is why many choose to donate their old cell phones to organizations like the battered wives shelters, etc. so that they all have a way to call for help as needed.

HAB

Calls to 911 may not be the only “emergency” HAB is concerned about. You can’t use 911 to call for help starting your car, for example.

Re: iPhone vs Wi-Fi iPod

[quote author=“Mace”]If we’ve to carry only one electronic gadget, what is the one thing it must do? Would Apple be more successful if it has launched a Wi-Fi iPod in Jun 29, follow by an iPhone 6-12 months later?

My answer to this question is flatly, no. IPhone is a premium-priced product, they get a slice of revenue from phone plans, and that market compared to MP3 players is like comparing a red giant to a white dwarf. MP3 players are an established market for Apple; wiPods would largely be sold to existing customers as opposed to entering a brand new market.

Now on the question of bringing a wiPod to market: There has been some suggestion that Apple might introduce a touch screen iPod, but I think it’s less likely that it will include wifi capability. Apple has shown a strong emphasis on battery life in its products: The iPhone battery is gi-normous, and they’ve commented before that wifi doesn’t make sense in an MP3 player at the time because of the drain. Look at the Zune… let’s see how many crappy techno songs those hipster doofuses can squirt at their fellow brown-box loving friends before they run out of juice.

WiPod remains to be seen, but I’m not holding my breath.

Re: iPhone vs Wi-Fi iPod

[quote author=“Mace”]If we’ve to carry only one electronic gadget, what is the one thing it must do?

I will probably carry a cell phone.  Having said that, I am on the verge of getting an iPhone while keeping a separate cell phone.  The reason for that is that ATT sucks in a lot of places, even here in the US, not to mention overseas.

I will buy an WiFi iPod.  That will mean I don’t have to carry my lap top everywhere.

Re: iPhone vs Wi-Fi iPod

[quote author=“oldmac”][quote author=“Mace”]If we’ve to carry only one electronic gadget, what is the one thing it must do?

I will probably carry a cell phone.  Having said that, I am on the verge of getting an iPhone while keeping a separate cell phone.  The reason for that is that ATT sucks in a lot of places, even here in the US, not to mention overseas.

I will buy an WiFi iPod.  That will mean I don’t have to carry my lap top everywhere.

This question is the biggest problem I have to resolve. A lot of very intelligent people swear that apple will NOT bring out an iPod that is an Iphone without the phone. Tommo and I have had many discussions on this matter and he is among the those that do not believe WiFi will be included with the 6G iPod.  I still disagree and try looking at it from Apple POV and the carrier POV. 

Apple does not want their biggest cash cow, the iPhone, to be cannibalized. OK.. but look at the customer. If he wants an all in one device and uses a cell then the iPhone is for him. AT&T service is improving and their costs are competitive. But a lot of people do not want a smart phone. They want a mobile phone for emergencies only and the iPhone is overkill from a monthly subscription perspective. Now watching a movie on a 6G iPod might be nice but I would not shell out 400 bucks for the privilege touch screen or not. But WiFi and surfing the net would do it for me. and when the carrier has the plan I like and a fast network and the iPhone has enough memory I will buy the iPhone. I have several iPods from the shuffle to the 80 GB video.
In other words I do not think the Wi Fi ipod would cannibalize iPhone sales. But of course you could say if Apple does not release the iPod with Wi Fi they will sell more iPhones and that is right. But they would be selling to people who will opt out of any carrier contract as fast as possible as soon as it is activated. Somehow I think Apple knows this and SJ and company have so much pride that I cannot imagine they will not want to WOW the world once again by introducing the best product they can make. You could also make a case that a full blown 6G iPod with Wi Fi will sell millions immediatly. And those customers ALL OVER THE WORLD will get used to Safari and Apple so that when the iPhone is introduced in their area they will know exactly what they would be getting. We all know about the iPhone and how great it is but most people world wide do not. The 6G iPod with all the bells and whistles is like an advance advertisment for the iPhone. I see it as a win/win for Apple and the carriers

Predicting new iPods (Carl Howe of Blackfriars)

I think the Wi-Fi iPod is inevitable . . . but not for at least another year.  There needs to be greater wireless capability which seems to be expanding rapidly.

But I fully agree that the product is wanted, and eventually if Apple doesn’t move in here they would just cede the market for this device to newcomers (an unlikely scenario)

Photos of new iPod nanos

Re: iPhone vs Wi-Fi iPod

[quote author=“SNIPUS”]But a lot of people do not want a smart phone. They want a mobile phone for emergencies only and the iPhone is overkill from a monthly subscription perspective. Now watching a movie on a 6G iPod might be nice but I would not shell out 400 bucks for the privilege touch screen or not. But WiFi and surfing the net would do it for me.

I think the 6G iPod with OS X, Touchscreen, widescreen will sell for the same price as the iPod today.  The same price, and would replace the iPod video completely.  Maybe this explains the huge hit in margins that Apple is predicting?  I know I would be shocked at a $350 price point for the high end OSX iPod.  In other words, a proven and fairly large customer base we will get the OSX/MultiTouch for free!!

Why would Apple take the hit in margins this would entail? 

1. OS X and MultiTouch unit volume.  That is Apple’s strategic ace and the quicker they get to OS X everywhere the better.  The more units the more Apple can invest in their single code base OS X to benefit their entire product line from iPods to Mac Pros.

2. OS X Apps Licensing Fee leverage.  If Apple wants maximum leverage for the development of OS X MultiTouch apps such as games, once they release the SDK, they will want huge unit volume.  Apple may even start charging licensing fees ala Nintendo, xBox, Playstation. Again for that they need unit volume with the OS X platform.

3. Corner the market for Balda’s Touchscreen.  Just like Apple cornered the market for 1 inch harddrives when they launched the iPod mini (tying the hands of Creative and others for months), and almost cornered the Flash drive market when they launched the iPod nano, Apple can try to corner the market for Balda’s touchscreen technology.

[quote author=“SNIPUS”]In other words I do not think the Wi Fi ipod would cannibalize iPhone sales. But of course you could say if Apple does not release the iPod with Wi Fi they will sell more iPhones and that is right. But they would be selling to people who will opt out of any carrier contract as fast as possible as soon as it is activated. Somehow I think Apple knows this and SJ and company have so much pride that I cannot imagine they will not want to WOW the world once again by introducing the best product they can make.

I think the price point for the widescreen iPod will amaze us.  Also, once Apple starts shipping games and new apps for the iPhone and the OS X iPod we will be even more amazed with both.  And don’t underestimate the power of the peripheral markets to help sell OS X iPods even without wifi.

Remember Apple used two small motherboards for the iPhone.  One with the CPU, flash, and RAM to run OS X, Apps, the touchscreen, and store all content, and the second for all the communication radios.  Could it be that Apple simply has to drop one motherboard from a fully developed design? 

If so, developers, Apple and third parties alike, can target an identical software and hardware config, except for wireless radios, for both of Apple’s huge volume CE products.  As a gaming platform, with a revolutionary UI at that, won’t the iPhone and OSX iPod far outsell the PSP, Nintendo Gameboy and DS’ of the world? It would at least immediately become a leader in portable gaming.

[quote author=“SNIPUS”]You could also make a case that a full blown 6G iPod with Wi Fi will sell millions immediatly. And those customers ALL OVER THE WORLD will get used to Safari and Apple so that when the iPhone is introduced in their area they will know exactly what they would be getting. We all know about the iPhone and how great it is but most people world wide do not. The 6G iPod with all the bells and whistles is like an advance advertisment for the iPhone. I see it as a win/win for Apple and the carriers

I think you make a very good point.  But also consider that the OSX iPod, even without wifi, would also sell millions immediately and because of the touchscreen may also serve as advanced advertisement for the iPhone.

Re: iPhone vs Wi-Fi iPod

[quote author=“SNIPUS”][quote author=“oldmac”][quote author=“Mace”]If we’ve to carry only one electronic gadget, what is the one thing it must do?

I will probably carry a cell phone.  Having said that, I am on the verge of getting an iPhone while keeping a separate cell phone.  The reason for that is that ATT sucks in a lot of places, even here in the US, not to mention overseas.

I will buy an WiFi iPod.  That will mean I don’t have to carry my lap top everywhere.

This question is the biggest problem I have to resolve. A lot of very intelligent people swear that apple will NOT bring out an iPod that is an Iphone without the phone. Tommo and I have had many discussions on this matter and he is among the those that do not believe WiFi will be included with the 6G iPod.  I still disagree and try looking at it from Apple POV and the carrier POV. 

Apple does not want their biggest cash cow, the iPhone, to be cannibalized. OK.. but look at the customer. If he wants an all in one device and uses a cell then the iPhone is for him. AT&T service is improving and their costs are competitive. But a lot of people do not want a smart phone. They want a mobile phone for emergencies only and the iPhone is overkill from a monthly subscription perspective. Now watching a movie on a 6G iPod might be nice but I would not shell out 400 bucks for the privilege touch screen or not. But WiFi and surfing the net would do it for me. and when the carrier has the plan I like and a fast network and the iPhone has enough memory I will buy the iPhone. I have several iPods from the shuffle to the 80 GB video.
In other words I do not think the Wi Fi ipod would cannibalize iPhone sales. But of course you could say if Apple does not release the iPod with Wi Fi they will sell more iPhones and that is right. But they would be selling to people who will opt out of any carrier contract as fast as possible as soon as it is activated. Somehow I think Apple knows this and SJ and company have so much pride that I cannot imagine they will not want to WOW the world once again by introducing the best product they can make. You could also make a case that a full blown 6G iPod with Wi Fi will sell millions immediatly. And those customers ALL OVER THE WORLD will get used to Safari and Apple so that when the iPhone is introduced in their area they will know exactly what they would be getting. We all know about the iPhone and how great it is but most people world wide do not. The 6G iPod with all the bells and whistles is like an advance advertisment for the iPhone. I see it as a win/win for Apple and the carriers

So, hey, I never went back to this thread to point out how right you were in your reasoning and how wrong I was.

Thanks, spammer for reminding me

Cheers!