Apple back in the peripheral roulette again?!
Inspired by this Macrumors tidbit about future Apple peripherals...which may afterall be false, but who knows.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/...25190203.shtml
Is Apple really getting back into the market of developing standard peripherals to accompany their computers? I'm sure those older members here will remember the "ol' Gil and Scully" days when Apple spread their margins and product line thin by producing many peripherals (Quicktake camera, laser and inkjet printers, scanners, external cd-roms) that cut from their bottom line and must have zapped some valuable R&D and customer support resources.
The end result was that Apple overextended itself and opperated at a loss.
The new Apple is a truely a shadow of its former 1996-self, but still, what do you guys think about Apple stepping more and more into the peripheral game with the new iSight addition and possibly more to come? Whatever happened to the old "product square" we were so used to at the keynotes of yesteryear?
I think the Digital Hub is a much more structured vision of the interactive role between peripherals and computers. I highly doubt Apple would venture into peripherals that did not link to the ideology of this "peripheral philosophy".
I must admit Apple has done a stellar job with the iPod, but are these peripherals (i.e. external cd burners) really needed and what value would they serve for Apple and us, the consumer in an already saturated market of lower cost peripherals? Can/should Apple attempt this?
Discuss.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/...25190203.shtml
Is Apple really getting back into the market of developing standard peripherals to accompany their computers? I'm sure those older members here will remember the "ol' Gil and Scully" days when Apple spread their margins and product line thin by producing many peripherals (Quicktake camera, laser and inkjet printers, scanners, external cd-roms) that cut from their bottom line and must have zapped some valuable R&D and customer support resources.
The end result was that Apple overextended itself and opperated at a loss.
The new Apple is a truely a shadow of its former 1996-self, but still, what do you guys think about Apple stepping more and more into the peripheral game with the new iSight addition and possibly more to come? Whatever happened to the old "product square" we were so used to at the keynotes of yesteryear?
I think the Digital Hub is a much more structured vision of the interactive role between peripherals and computers. I highly doubt Apple would venture into peripherals that did not link to the ideology of this "peripheral philosophy".
I must admit Apple has done a stellar job with the iPod, but are these peripherals (i.e. external cd burners) really needed and what value would they serve for Apple and us, the consumer in an already saturated market of lower cost peripherals? Can/should Apple attempt this?
Discuss.
Comments
They are also creating peripherals in areas of particular weakness on the mac platform and that are virtually guaranteed to turn a profit.
I don't imagine Apple producing a laser printer again. If they make more peripherals they will be like the iPod or iSight.
Originally posted by Maine Road
I I'm sure those older members here will remember the "ol' Gil and Scully" days when Apple spread their margins and product line thin by producing many peripherals (Quicktake camera, laser and inkjet printers, scanners, external cd-roms) that cut from their bottom line and must have zapped some valuable R&D and customer support resources.
As far as I remember Gil Amelio actually tried to simplify Apple's product lines.
Originally posted by JLL
As far as I remember Gil Amelio actually tried to simplify Apple's product lines.
At least that's what he'd like you to believe
maybe the number isn't always the same but this is the new apple. they won't make products unless they think they can make lots of money. and build external boxes to one of the richest and fattest of their core markets (video/film) doesn't not seem like a bad idea.
The G5
Panther
World's fastest desktop
the term, firing on all cylinders is ringing o so true...
Originally posted by keyboardf12
apple is smarter now. we've all heard the rumor/story that steve says upon a new product idea. will it bring in $100 million dollars?
maybe the number isn't always the same but this is the new apple. they won't make products unless they think they can make lots of money. and build external boxes to one of the richest and fattest of their core markets (video/film) doesn't not seem like a bad idea.
The G5
Panther
World's fastest desktop
the term, firing on all cylinders is ringing o so true...
Currently they are firing on 5 cylinders:[list=1][*]Portable[*]High end Pro[*]Software[*]Audio peripherial[*]Mac Music Service[/list=1]
They are experiencing a bit of fouling in the server market (update to G5 coming)
They have yet to replace the plugs in:[list=1][*]Consumer Line-up[*]Education[*]Buisness[/list=1]
However, in the case of the iPod, this has been extremely profitable. The Apple Music Store and iSight have great potential as well.
The difference between then and 1996 is back then, Apple wasn't really marketing to the Windows crowd. The printers, cameras, etc were for Mac users only. Mac users may have felt "locked-in" to these expensive peripherals.
Nowaways, the peripherals have value in themselves. You don't have to own a Mac-or even a computer, for that matter-to understand why you want an iPod. The iSight could be a similar success (but I kinda doubt it will be, just because videoconferencing is nowhere near the 'killer app' that MP3 playing is).
I wish Apple would charge a little less and market a little more aggressively in the education and consumer markets, but they are doing pretty damn well considering the state of the US economy.