iPod Hi-Fi flops its way off Apple's online store
Self-professed audiophile Steve Jobs, who last year said he replaced all of his expensive audio equipment and speakers with several of Apple's then fledgeling iPod Hi-Fi boombox systems, would now appear to have a house full of curios.
In an unpublicized move Wednesday, Apple quietly began pulling the $349 iPod Hi-Fi speaker system from online stores around the world, signaling that the product has likely been discontinued with no further revisions planned.
Introduced just 18 months ago, Apple billed the Hi-Fi as "an all-new high-fidelity speaker system that works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system," delivering "breathtaking acoustic performance and room-filling sound unlike any other speaker system designed for the iPod."
The last time anyone checked, the Hi-Fi showed few signs of fading, though it was garnering more dollar share of the iPod speaker market than market share.
NPD statistics published by the Apple 2.0 Blog about a year ago showed the Apple device to be the fourth most popular iPod speaker system at the time, with a 7.8 percent market share, behind systems from Bose, Logitech and i-Fusion.
When it came to revenue share, however, the Hi-Fi's steep price tag helped push it into second place behind Bose. Since then, sales of the device were rumored to have been stuck in the doldrums.
Rather than slash pricing and add more compelling features -- such as Wi-Fi connectivity -- Apple now appears to have scrapped the product altogether.
In an unpublicized move Wednesday, Apple quietly began pulling the $349 iPod Hi-Fi speaker system from online stores around the world, signaling that the product has likely been discontinued with no further revisions planned.
Introduced just 18 months ago, Apple billed the Hi-Fi as "an all-new high-fidelity speaker system that works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system," delivering "breathtaking acoustic performance and room-filling sound unlike any other speaker system designed for the iPod."
The last time anyone checked, the Hi-Fi showed few signs of fading, though it was garnering more dollar share of the iPod speaker market than market share.
NPD statistics published by the Apple 2.0 Blog about a year ago showed the Apple device to be the fourth most popular iPod speaker system at the time, with a 7.8 percent market share, behind systems from Bose, Logitech and i-Fusion.
When it came to revenue share, however, the Hi-Fi's steep price tag helped push it into second place behind Bose. Since then, sales of the device were rumored to have been stuck in the doldrums.
Rather than slash pricing and add more compelling features -- such as Wi-Fi connectivity -- Apple now appears to have scrapped the product altogether.
Comments
APPLE T.V
next up.....
APPLE T.V
Can't wait for the angst on this forum that we'll see then!
And, give me a clock radio that pulls music off my iMac.
Talk about potential high markup items...
I think we are more likely to see a replacement that will accept Wireless streaming from an iPod!
I think it will resurface in six months or less with an airport express built in, and probably dropping the battery option which I doubt many people used.
next up.....
APPLE T.V
Oh no, they're keeping AppleTV for awhile I'm sure. I'm looking at it to replace the need for VHS or PVR recording.
Imagine it being linked directly to the content providers' television series and movies, but their content would be free via commercials. Television viewing would all be on demand and still free without the PVR, Tivo, or VHS recorder.
I looking to see if Apple can pull that off with the studios (NBC included).
The iPod HiFi was just priced too high. If Apple was serious about it then they should have lowered the price or updated the features. They didn't even bother. I'm sure it would have sold better at a lower price point.
The iPod HiFi was just priced too high. If Apple was serious about it then they should have lowered the price or updated the features. They didn't even bother. I'm sure it would have sold better at a lower price point.
For me, the HiFi was just not a good fit. I would have liked a smaller, lighter boom box type type thing that didn't leave the iPod sticking out vulnerable. The goal of replacing a home sterio system was pie in the sky--it had only a few of the functions necessary for that, yet it didn't seem like a good portable solution.
I don't even think that a lower price would have convinced me.
I am with those who think that they may come up with a WiFi replacement (running on OS X, of course
The AppleTV is another story... It is not a success because of 2 reasons:
1. no connection to most TV's (y reason not buy one)
2. no rental videos... People just don't want to buy all those movies they're watching.. that's why I got netflix..
I recommended the Apple Hi-Fi to 2 of my friends that were both looking for similar systems. One got it, the other one did not. The one who didn't get it, really wished he did after hearing mine.
If it matters, Apple is still offering those Apple branded $99 leather iPod cases. I really can't think of an Apple product that's more unappealing than that. The usage for it is odd and the price too steep for such an odd design.
next up.....
APPLE T.V
That would make my day. AppleTV needs to be re-thought from top to bottom or killed off.
Sure the Apple TV could use some improvements and added features but let's get real, it does what it's supposed to do and it does it quite well.
Since I got rid of Cable TV I just download whatever shows I want to see from ITMS and watch it on The Apple TV. .... I just finished watching yesterdays Eureka at 1080i and the picture was great - not true hidef but better than broadcast.
Please tell me where the 1080i content can be found on the iTMS... I'd kill to know... as would other I'd bet. Last I checked HD content was not an option... unless you 'shopped' at some of the more dubious areas of the net.
Dave
Please tell me where the 1080i content can be found on the iTMS... I'd kill to know... as would other I'd bet. Last I checked HD content was not an option... unless you 'shopped' at some of the more dubious areas of the net.
Dave
I think his podcast was 1080i, which iTunes does feature.
I think his podcast was 1080i, which iTunes does feature.
Really? The official specs for Apple TV say that it can't play media above 720p. I know Apple has fudged down the specified resolution before, but I figured this one might have been honest.
At any rate, 1080i video exported to AppleTV gets knocked down to 540p.