"I have no need for a Video iPod."
I've discovered there's an interesting and negative phenomenon happening with Apple's new iPods: Now that they play videos, some people are saying that they just can't justify buying one because they don't have a need to watch videos on the iPod.
This is when I have to remind them that the iPod still plays music as its primary feature and costs the same as it did before. Now, it just has 10GB more storage on the low end and the capability to play videos if the user wants to. One specific guy I spoke with Friday replied that he never really thought of it that way.
Folks, this is bad. People are seeing the "Video iPod" as something they don't want because either they don't think it can play music anymore or that it has features they can't justify paying for (i.e. video capability).
Anyone else notice this, and do you think this could turn out to be a problem for Apple?
This is when I have to remind them that the iPod still plays music as its primary feature and costs the same as it did before. Now, it just has 10GB more storage on the low end and the capability to play videos if the user wants to. One specific guy I spoke with Friday replied that he never really thought of it that way.
Folks, this is bad. People are seeing the "Video iPod" as something they don't want because either they don't think it can play music anymore or that it has features they can't justify paying for (i.e. video capability).
Anyone else notice this, and do you think this could turn out to be a problem for Apple?
Comments
Originally posted by CosmoNut
Folks, this is bad. People are seeing the "Video iPod" as something they don't want because either they don't think it can play music anymore or that it has features they can't justify paying for (i.e. video capability).
Anyone else notice this, and do you think this could turn out to be a problem for Apple?
Please.
This rational is silly.
The increased screen size alone is worth buying this version of the iPod over others.
Whenever I pick up my other iPod it's immediately apparent how great the bigger screen size is.
Originally posted by Cake
Please.
This rational is silly.
The increased screen size alone is worth buying this version of the iPod over others.
Whenever I pick up my other iPod it's immediately apparent how great the bigger screen size is.
Exactly, but I think that's what he's saying. That rationale is silly but that's how people are viewing it right now. I agree, I have heard a lot of people that aren't as into electronics (and apple) as I am say they don't understand why anyone would ever need to play video ona device that small, and when I tell them that that's just an extra feature along with the larger screen and smaller size all for the same price they didn't realize. Oh, well they usually end up buying nano's anyway so I don't think apple will be hurt that much.
Should they stop adding features at a given price point because people will get the idea that they "don't need that"?
They can't really offer a "non-video" iPod for less because the chip set is what it is and merely disabling video functionality doesn't reduce costs.
If they think it's too expensive they think it's too expensive, and wishing that there was a less fully featured model that cost less is a pricing issue, not a feature issue.
For instance, should Apple hesitate to put more "media center" features into the Mini for fear that some buyers might imagine that they are paying a premium for stuff they won't use? I just can't see it.
The people I talked to are getting the wrong impression about the iPod now because all they hear is "video iPod" from the media and all of us. Joe Shmoe consumer than says to themself, "I wanted an iPod, but I don't need a video iPod when I'm not going to ever play videos."
I think, in a lot of people's minds, the nano has replaced the regular iPod as the "mp3" player and the full-sized iPod is now primarily a video device.
Did you need a colour screen to listen to music? No
Did you need photo capability to listen to music? No
why would ipod with video be any different?
I just don't get people's rationale.
I guess they also figured the ipod photo (not ipod with photo, unlike ipod with video) was only a picture viewer.
Originally posted by Anders
The reaction speed of the new iPods is not as good as the previous generations
Yeah, what's up with that? I understand that it's a color display and it has to display more information than with the monochrome one, but you would think they would 'fix' that problem. It's not a big deal, if you don't care, but I *hate* waiting, even if for a fraction of a second, for my MP3 player to load a giant album of 3 songs.
Originally posted by ecking
I guess they also figured the ipod photo (not ipod with photo, unlike ipod with video) was only a picture viewer.
Remember that, at the time, there was the iPod with monochrome screen and the iPod photo. The regular iPod totally outsold the iPod photo. Then Apple merged the two to just be iPod with a color screen and photo capability.
This time the iPod got video capability. The difference is that everybody and their uncle started calling it a "Video iPod." To the average consumer that has a totally different meaning than "iPod." To them, an "iPod" plays "mp3s," and a "Video iPod" plays videos -- something they don't have a need for.
Originally posted by CosmoNut
The difference is that everybody and their uncle started calling it a "Video iPod." To the average consumer that has a totally different meaning than "iPod." To them, an "iPod" plays "mp3s," and a "Video iPod" plays videos -- something they don't have a need for.
News flash - peepil R stoopid.
I'm not sure Apple can do anything to change this fact...
The thing is, many, many people have found that they DO have a need for the video iPod- I mean, the iPod and yes, it does video. Many more will realize it, too.
Originally posted by vinney57
Marketing 101. If people make an irrational statement to justify a purchase or non-purchase then that statement IS NOT TRUE. It is a justification to themselves masking a deeper reason which they may or may not be aware of. You will see a lot more irrational anti-Apple rhetoric simply because they are more succesful. It is normal human behaviour and is a GOOD SIGN for Apple.
It's not about irrational hate for an Apple product. It's about the disconnect between marketing, publicity and consumer need.