Lots of sales, in lots of countries, and seemingly without any restrictions on the number of units you can buy at once.
Y'know, if Apple announced they had plenty in stock, folk would be screaming that no one wants them.
There actually is something to that. MBA types will tell you about the value of scarcity. This seems more like a strategic goof though. Did the engineering team bite off more than they can chew? Was the production validation process under estimated? We're key individuals distracted with making back door encryption available to law enforcement? Who knows.
I have an MBA and the value of scarcity in the Xmas shopping season is non existent. This is a major failure for Apple. People will buy from the competition.
How is this a failure? Would you rather have Apple rush a product like Samsung (We all know how that turned out for them) or wait until a product is actually ready for consumers?
It doesn't have to be one or the other. I think people are complaining that Apple should have planned this better, and should have been more transparent in the process. Some people bought the iPhone 7 despite not having a headphone jack because Apple announced that a month later, they would introduce a companion wireless headphone that ameliorated most of the concerns people using headphones had. Then didn't deliver for 3 months without a word, and most who were waiting still likely won't get until 2017.
Apple should not discuss production problems, and that is why they don't. Those customers who know how the real world works will deal with it. Those who want to make a big deal out of unforseeable difficulties can just unroll some more rope for themselves.
So Apple should never have sent out a press release about the white iPhone 4?
I'm glad I don't need these. I have a pair of $100 JBL wireless that work just fine. Maybe by version 2 or 3 they'll have the kinks worked out.
The kinks have been worked out so you don't have to wait that long.
Well I already have wireless earbuds I like so no reason to spend the money just because Apple. I don't need to talk to my headphones.
If you believe people want to buy this just because they have an Apple logo, then you don't understand the product very well. Your existing wireless headphones cannot be paired to multiple devices and switch over seamlessly.
Lots of sales, in lots of countries, and seemingly without any restrictions on the number of units you can buy at once.
Y'know, if Apple announced they had plenty in stock, folk would be screaming that no one wants them.
There actually is something to that. MBA types will tell you about the value of scarcity. This seems more like a strategic goof though. Did the engineering team bite off more than they can chew? Was the production validation process under estimated? We're key individuals distracted with making back door encryption available to law enforcement? Who knows.
I have an MBA and the value of scarcity in the Xmas shopping season is non existent. This is a major failure for Apple. People will buy from the competition.
How is this a failure? Would you rather have Apple rush a product like Samsung (We all know how that turned out for them) or wait until a product is actually ready for consumers?
It doesn't have to be one or the other. I think people are complaining that Apple should have planned this better, and should have been more transparent in the process. Some people bought the iPhone 7 despite not having a headphone jack because Apple announced that a month later, they would introduce a companion wireless headphone that ameliorated most of the concerns people using headphones had. Then didn't deliver for 3 months without a word, and most who were waiting still likely won't get until 2017.
Apple should not discuss production problems, and that is why they don't. Those customers who know how the real world works will deal with it. Those who want to make a big deal out of unforseeable difficulties can just unroll some more rope for themselves.
So Apple should never have sent out a press release about the white iPhone 4?
The exception proves the rule. Besides it was purely cosmetic, not a technology issue that others could learn from.
I think Apple has not made a big splash with today's availability because they don't want to worsen the supply/demand imbalance.
People eagerly awaiting AirPods will know, and order today. I am one of those people. If Apple aggressively marketed these to the more casual customers, Apple would risk just upsetting those people by encouraging them to buy something with a 1+ month delivery window.
The wait is good because I'd rather Apple ironed any issues than just rush for larger profit unlike certain company. I actually love the idea of easy-pairing, auto-switching, auto-playing and voice detector, but I am not in headset market at the moment. I might actually getting one next year when the delivery time is shorter. I see this as Apple second approach for wearable tech. Adding Siri in headset is genius as it's the most logical place for Siri to be used frequently.
Lots of sales, in lots of countries, and seemingly without any restrictions on the number of units you can buy at once.
Y'know, if Apple announced they had plenty in stock, folk would be screaming that no one wants them.
There actually is something to that. MBA types will tell you about the value of scarcity. This seems more like a strategic goof though. Did the engineering team bite off more than they can chew? Was the production validation process under estimated? We're key individuals distracted with making back door encryption available to law enforcement? Who knows.
I have an MBA and the value of scarcity in the Xmas shopping season is non existent. This is a major failure for Apple. People will buy from the competition.
How is this a failure? Would you rather have Apple rush a product like Samsung (We all know how that turned out for them) or wait until a product is actually ready for consumers?
It doesn't have to be one or the other. I think people are complaining that Apple should have planned this better, and should have been more transparent in the process. Some people bought the iPhone 7 despite not having a headphone jack because Apple announced that a month later, they would introduce a companion wireless headphone that ameliorated most of the concerns people using headphones had. Then didn't deliver for 3 months without a word, and most who were waiting still likely won't get until 2017.
Apple should not discuss production problems, and that is why they don't. Those customers who know how the real world works will deal with it. Those who want to make a big deal out of unforseeable difficulties can just unroll some more rope for themselves.
So Apple should never have sent out a press release about the white iPhone 4?
The exception proves the rule. Besides it was purely cosmetic, not a technology issue that others could learn from.
Purely cosmetic? Wasn't it a manufacturing technology issue? Stopping UV radiation bleeding into the sensors? Or am thinking about another phone?
Lots of sales, in lots of countries, and seemingly without any restrictions on the number of units you can buy at once.
Y'know, if Apple announced they had plenty in stock, folk would be screaming that no one wants them.
There actually is something to that. MBA types will tell you about the value of scarcity. This seems more like a strategic goof though. Did the engineering team bite off more than they can chew? Was the production validation process under estimated? We're key individuals distracted with making back door encryption available to law enforcement? Who knows.
I have an MBA and the value of scarcity in the Xmas shopping season is non existent. This is a major failure for Apple. People will buy from the competition.
How is this a failure? Would you rather have Apple rush a product like Samsung (We all know how that turned out for them) or wait until a product is actually ready for consumers?
It doesn't have to be one or the other. I think people are complaining that Apple should have planned this better, and should have been more transparent in the process. Some people bought the iPhone 7 despite not having a headphone jack because Apple announced that a month later, they would introduce a companion wireless headphone that ameliorated most of the concerns people using headphones had. Then didn't deliver for 3 months without a word, and most who were waiting still likely won't get until 2017.
Apple should not discuss production problems, and that is why they don't. Those customers who know how the real world works will deal with it. Those who want to make a big deal out of unforseeable difficulties can just unroll some more rope for themselves.
I don't see anyone saying Apple should discuss production problems, just be more transparent, communicate and resolve doubts.
We don't even know if they were production issues anyway. It could have been anything (conformity, component availability, bugs etc) but that is not what people are complaining about.
If you announce a product, gIve an availability date and then don't deliver, you should be communicating officially with your potential clients and keeping them in the picture and not in the dark.
At this particular time of year, and knowing you have an 'in demand' product for the holiday season, that communication is even more important.
A tweet here or an email there is better than nothing but nevertheless not good enough.
There is a lot you can say without giving away the technical issues behind the delay.
I'm glad I don't need these. I have a pair of $100 JBL wireless that work just fine. Maybe by version 2 or 3 they'll have the kinks worked out.
The kinks have been worked out so you don't have to wait that long.
Well I already have wireless earbuds I like so no reason to spend the money just because Apple. I don't need to talk to my headphones.
If you believe people want to buy this just because they have an Apple logo, then you don't understand the product very well. Your existing wireless headphones cannot be paired to multiple devices and switch over seamlessly.
I don't doubt that AirPods are great. It's just not enough for me when I have wireless earbuds that work great. 99% of the time they're connected to my iPhone as I have a pair of Audio-Technica cans for devices with a headphone jack. Also I have a wireless Bose speaker. I'm constantly switching pairing between my iPhone and iPad without any problems. Maybe some day I'll try AirPods. Just not today.
But but...Airpods are overpriced and no one would buy them....
Welcome to Christmas! They may well be overpriced, but if you're not actually buying them for yourself but just putting them on your wishlist, if the price is under 200 dollars, there will probably be demand for them. Then there are those who buy them for themselves but see the under 200 dollar price tag as doable.
I'm glad I don't need these. I have a pair of $100 JBL wireless that work just fine. Maybe by version 2 or 3 they'll have the kinks worked out.
The kinks have been worked out so you don't have to wait that long.
Well I already have wireless earbuds I like so no reason to spend the money just because Apple. I don't need to talk to my headphones.
If you believe people want to buy this just because they have an Apple logo, then you don't understand the product very well. Your existing wireless headphones cannot be paired to multiple devices and switch over seamlessly.
I don't doubt that AirPods are great. It's just not enough for me when I have wireless earbuds that work great. 99% of the time they're connected to my iPhone as I have a pair of Audio-Technica cans for devices with a headphone jack. Also I have a wireless Bose speaker. I'm constantly switching pairing between my iPhone and iPad without any problems. Maybe some day I'll try AirPods. Just not today.
Yes but that's not what I was referring to -- you suggested people only want AirPods because Apple logo. I countered that assertion and stated why -- features. That you're happy with whatever it is you have doesn't validate your original claim. In fact it's not even relevant.
But but...Airpods are overpriced and no one would buy them....
Welcome to Christmas! They may well be overpriced, but if you're not actually buying them for yourself but just putting them on your wishlist, if the price is under 200 dollars, there will probably be demand for them. Then there are those who buy them for themselves but see the under 200 dollar price tag as doable.
I don't believe the inventory was snapped up by gift-getters in the general public. I think these were sold out to people who know exactly what they do and are very OK with the price. I know I was, and the others I've spoken to who've ordered a pair.
Comments
People eagerly awaiting AirPods will know, and order today. I am one of those people. If Apple aggressively marketed these to the more casual customers, Apple would risk just upsetting those people by encouraging them to buy something with a 1+ month delivery window.
If the wait was because they were synching the audio, it makes me wonder if the W1 chip could be used to make a SONOS competitor.
We don't even know if they were production issues anyway. It could have been anything (conformity, component availability, bugs etc) but that is not what people are complaining about.
If you announce a product, gIve an availability date and then don't deliver, you should be communicating officially with your potential clients and keeping them in the picture and not in the dark.
At this particular time of year, and knowing you have an 'in demand' product for the holiday season, that communication is even more important.
A tweet here or an email there is better than nothing but nevertheless not good enough.
There is a lot you can say without giving away the technical issues behind the delay.
I don't believe the inventory was snapped up by gift-getters in the general public. I think these were sold out to people who know exactly what they do and are very OK with the price. I know I was, and the others I've spoken to who've ordered a pair.