Apple has to be careful as they move into this next phase. It's difficult to promote an image of hipness, which I think they still do, when your products are already in so many hands.
Hipness is the easy part. It's a natural accompaniment of innovation. Innovation (that works) is the hard part.
Hipness is the easy part. It's a natural accompaniment of innovation. Innovation (that works) is the hard part.
What's interesting to me is how tenaciously Apple's detractors cling to the "hipsters and posers" dig at Apple's customers.
Apple is now very obviously a mass market phenomena. If every third person has an iPhone and/or an iPad, what could "hipster" possibly mean in that context? I'm trying to think of some other product with the wide adoption of Apple's i-line that somehow still got belittled for being the affectation of elites or elite wannabes, but I'm not coming up with anything.
It's difficult to promote an image of hipness, which I think they still do, when your products are already in so many hands. It's not irrelevance that I worry about so much, it's a muddied image, which comes from a corporation that loses its way (fill in your favorite example here). So long as Apple knows what they are about, I think customers will get that message.
I don?t think it?s that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that ?hip? appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.
I don?t think it?s that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that ?hip? appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.
I think it's quite funny that you associate 'cool' with 'expensive', because the two have rarely, if ever, been linked.
I don?t think it?s that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that ?hip? appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.
It's not just about price, but also about at least the impression of exclusivity. It's tough for a product to remain a cool accessory when tens of millions of people own it. Not impossible, but more difficult. So that's why Apple had to move beyond the limits of "Think Different" marketing, which they've done quite deliberately, and well, so far. I think the further they move into the mass market the more difficult it becomes for them to figure out what message works. They are having to address a progressively wider market.
It's not just about price, but also about at least the impression of exclusivity. It's tough for a product to remain a cool accessory when tens of millions of people own it. Not impossible, but more difficult. So that's why Apple had to move beyond the limits of "Think Different" marketing, which they've done quite deliberately, and well, so far. I think the further they move into the mass market the more difficult it becomes for them to figure out what message works. They are having to address a progressively wider market.
That was addressed as part of the point I made. These items within a market segment are still exclusive because within that market segment cheaper knockoffs and copycats can be had. To reiterate, as long as Apple keeps doing what its doing it’ll be fine.
oprah never gives away anything on her show. the production company (which she owns) does. or some sponsor does. but not oprah. neither ipads nor automobiles. she just keeps adding to her pile rather than taking away from it. this is also some nice advertising for her publication, too. but isn't that what the show is for anyway? god bless marketing.
oprah never gives away anything on her show. the production company (which she owns) does. or some sponsor does. but not oprah. neither ipads nor automobiles. she just keeps adding to her pile rather than taking away from it. this is also some nice advertising for her publication, too. but isn't that what the show is for anyway? god bless marketing.
This is a funny distinction. Oprah owns the company, but when the company gives something away, Oprah hasn't given anything away. Nobody is mistaking it for charity, if that's what you really mean.
Daytime television personality Oprah Winfrey did her part to drive iPad sales for the holiday season, as the top-rated host declared Apple's touchscreen tablet her "No. 1 favorite thing ever."
I love my iPad, but the reactions of the audience seemed over the top. The reactions of the audience reminded of a Mad TV parody I had seen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgZKjJt-TkU
If every third person has an iPhone and/or an iPad, what could "hipster" possibly mean in that context? I'm trying to think of some other product with the wide adoption of Apple's i-line that somehow still got belittled for being the affectation of elites or elite wannabes, but I'm not coming up with anything.
That was addressed as part of the point I made. These items within a market segment are still exclusive because within that market segment cheaper knockoffs and copycats can be had. To reiterate, as long as Apple keeps doing what its doing it?ll be fine.
My memory is that the Walkman was considered "music", though, more like the iPod is now. Like, anyone who liked music had a Walkman, not that it was the accessory of hipsters or snobs or something. To the point that "Walkman" passed over into generic description, like "zipper" or "kleenex" or "bandaid."
My memory is that the Walkman was considered "music", though, more like the iPod is now. Like, anyone who liked music had a Walkman, not that it was the accessory of hipsters or snobs or something.
Initially and for several years it was seen that way, first with portable cassette players and then with portable CD players.
Quote:
To the point that "Walkman" passed over into generic description, like "zipper" or "kleenex" or "bandaid."
That impression came later, after many years without further innovation gave competitors the ability to catch up and drown out Sony with me-too products. Then the iPod arrived.
I love my iPad, but the reactions of the audience seemed over the top. The reactions of the audience reminded of a Mad TV parody I had seen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgZKjJt-TkU
It's the same reaction whenever someone gets something for free on TV. I paid for my iPad, so I don't scream like a teen girl around Rob Pattinson.
Comments
Apple has to be careful as they move into this next phase. It's difficult to promote an image of hipness, which I think they still do, when your products are already in so many hands.
Hipness is the easy part. It's a natural accompaniment of innovation. Innovation (that works) is the hard part.
Hipness is the easy part. It's a natural accompaniment of innovation. Innovation (that works) is the hard part.
What's interesting to me is how tenaciously Apple's detractors cling to the "hipsters and posers" dig at Apple's customers.
Apple is now very obviously a mass market phenomena. If every third person has an iPhone and/or an iPad, what could "hipster" possibly mean in that context? I'm trying to think of some other product with the wide adoption of Apple's i-line that somehow still got belittled for being the affectation of elites or elite wannabes, but I'm not coming up with anything.
It's difficult to promote an image of hipness, which I think they still do, when your products are already in so many hands. It's not irrelevance that I worry about so much, it's a muddied image, which comes from a corporation that loses its way (fill in your favorite example here). So long as Apple knows what they are about, I think customers will get that message.
I don?t think it?s that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that ?hip? appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.
http://kaycaskey.blogspot.com/2007/1...nl-parody.html
I don?t think it?s that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that ?hip? appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.
I think it's quite funny that you associate 'cool' with 'expensive', because the two have rarely, if ever, been linked.
I think it's quite funny that you associate 'cool' with 'expensive', because the two have rarely, if ever, been linked.
I don?t think it?s that hard, but I understand where you are coming from. Usually, the coolest items are not the most commonly bought because they tend to be very expensive. Take, jets, yacht, cars, etc. But with CE the prices are low enough that even the high-end models within these product categories are still obtainable. Therefore, I think for Apple to be able to maintain that ?hip? appeal they simply have to keep doing what they are doing.
It's not just about price, but also about at least the impression of exclusivity. It's tough for a product to remain a cool accessory when tens of millions of people own it. Not impossible, but more difficult. So that's why Apple had to move beyond the limits of "Think Different" marketing, which they've done quite deliberately, and well, so far. I think the further they move into the mass market the more difficult it becomes for them to figure out what message works. They are having to address a progressively wider market.
It's not just about price, but also about at least the impression of exclusivity. It's tough for a product to remain a cool accessory when tens of millions of people own it. Not impossible, but more difficult. So that's why Apple had to move beyond the limits of "Think Different" marketing, which they've done quite deliberately, and well, so far. I think the further they move into the mass market the more difficult it becomes for them to figure out what message works. They are having to address a progressively wider market.
That was addressed as part of the point I made. These items within a market segment are still exclusive because within that market segment cheaper knockoffs and copycats can be had. To reiterate, as long as Apple keeps doing what its doing it’ll be fine.
Good choice (really).
By the way... each Studebaker comes with a Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Here's how a conversation with the salesperson would go (styled Family Guy style):
Peter: I'd like to buy this Studebaker.
Cashier: I'll give you the Tab with it.
Peter: do not want.
Cashier: But it's included for free!
Peter: If it so much as comes near my Studebaker, I will kill you.
Cashier (speaking to the Tab): don't worry, someday someone will want you. (puts back on shelf)
oprah never gives away anything on her show. the production company (which she owns) does. or some sponsor does. but not oprah. neither ipads nor automobiles. she just keeps adding to her pile rather than taking away from it. this is also some nice advertising for her publication, too. but isn't that what the show is for anyway? god bless marketing.
This is a funny distinction. Oprah owns the company, but when the company gives something away, Oprah hasn't given anything away. Nobody is mistaking it for charity, if that's what you really mean.
Daytime television personality Oprah Winfrey did her part to drive iPad sales for the holiday season, as the top-rated host declared Apple's touchscreen tablet her "No. 1 favorite thing ever."
I love my iPad, but the reactions of the audience seemed over the top. The reactions of the audience reminded of a Mad TV parody I had seen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgZKjJt-TkU
Out of curiosity, which netbook did Oprah say was her favourite thing?
Oprah, being the smart women she is, didn't recommend any netbook ....
If every third person has an iPhone and/or an iPad, what could "hipster" possibly mean in that context? I'm trying to think of some other product with the wide adoption of Apple's i-line that somehow still got belittled for being the affectation of elites or elite wannabes, but I'm not coming up with anything.
Sony Walkman (in its day)
That was addressed as part of the point I made. These items within a market segment are still exclusive because within that market segment cheaper knockoffs and copycats can be had. To reiterate, as long as Apple keeps doing what its doing it?ll be fine.
I suspect that what they do will have to change.
Sony Walkman (in its day)
My memory is that the Walkman was considered "music", though, more like the iPod is now. Like, anyone who liked music had a Walkman, not that it was the accessory of hipsters or snobs or something. To the point that "Walkman" passed over into generic description, like "zipper" or "kleenex" or "bandaid."
My memory is that the Walkman was considered "music", though, more like the iPod is now. Like, anyone who liked music had a Walkman, not that it was the accessory of hipsters or snobs or something.
Initially and for several years it was seen that way, first with portable cassette players and then with portable CD players.
To the point that "Walkman" passed over into generic description, like "zipper" or "kleenex" or "bandaid."
That impression came later, after many years without further innovation gave competitors the ability to catch up and drown out Sony with me-too products. Then the iPod arrived.
I love my iPad, but the reactions of the audience seemed over the top. The reactions of the audience reminded of a Mad TV parody I had seen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgZKjJt-TkU
It's the same reaction whenever someone gets something for free on TV. I paid for my iPad, so I don't scream like a teen girl around Rob Pattinson.