Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 6:03AM Last week we took a look at the first iPod commercial, in all its dated glory. This week, we look at another aspect of the iPod launch that hasn't changed as much: the accompanying product launch. Here's how Phil Schiller and friends described the iPod:
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 7:02AM It's amazing how quickly things can get dated. I can remember when I first saw this commercial, I thought it was a cool way to get people to understand the concept of the iPod. In retrospect, I have to agree with one YouTube commenter who said it looks like the iPod makes you dance like an idiot.
Here's a look at how far the iPod, and Apple's ad campaigns have come:
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 9:03AM You've gone to the Apple Store, and you've purchased that special someone a surprise gift. Let's say an iPod. Imagine your surprise when you arrive home to discover that person already knows you bought it. How? Because Apple emailed them.
Below is a screenshot from an email our tipster recently received after buying an iPod. Problem is no one at the Apple store mentioned there would be an email, or asked if it was a gift. Apparently due to the credit card used to purchase the iPod being previously linked to an email address, Apple sent out the email. Some families, especially those who share music libraries, might use a shared email address.
Maybe Apple could lay off on the purchase-based emails until January...
screenshot of email sent to the purchaser (and potentially the receiver)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 2:37PM
(We apologize for the awful title of this post.)
Well we followed the live blogging of todays iPod event just like you and here a few quick thoughts.
-iTunes 9 We were hoping for a big redesign with lots of social networking features and maybe a subscription service, instead we got some new Genius features and digital LP's. Sharing content across multiple computers in a household looks great, but somehow he think this is still to confusing for the average family. We're still shocked Apple is allowing sharing of paid apps.
-More Games Phil the Schill is unleashed and goes on the attack after Sony and Nintendo, pointing out the cost of games and poor buying experiences for those platforms. We might agree on cost, but poor buying experience? Maybe Phil just finds Best Buy too low brow. Sure Apple has thousands of titles more than the competition, but no mention of quality is made. Also please don't showcase Gameloft next time. They only exist by ripping of other developers properties.
-New iPods Everyone gets an update, even the Classic. New Nano looks gorgeous and will probably be the big seller this winter. We do think it's odd that it now has a video camera and the iPod Touch does not.
All in all the announcements seems rather tame. The big story of the show will definitely be the return of Steve. We'll give today a solid B.
What do you have to say?
announcements, iPod, iTunes Permalink Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 2:27PM 
Some announcements that were expected, and some non-announcements that left us scratching our head. Here's a look at he winners and losers of today's Apple Event:
WINNERS:
Fans of the iPod Classic. Not only wasn't it killed off, it got a capacity boost (of course it had its capacity reduced previously). $249 for 160GB makes it the perfect iPod for the music-only crowd, or if you need a spacious hard drive with your music.
iPod Nano Shoppers. It's a little surprising considering the non-announcement with the iPod Touch (see below), but the nano really is an intriguing device now with a built-in video camera. Note that this isn't an HD camera as in the newer Flip cameras, but rather a VGA camera. FM radio is now on board, along with a live pause feature and iPod tagging (so you can buy the songs and not have to listen to the radio again!) These features definitely add value to the Nano, but they feel a generation behind. Low res video, and now after all these years FM radio? Where's the HD radio and HD video?
Game developer investors. As someone who spends a great deal of each day using/reviewing iPhone apps/games, it's getting a little tiring seeing the somewhat misleading assumption from Apple that the number of titles equals success on the platform. There's no denying the iPhone offers revolutionary features in a gaming platform. You also can't deny though, that a large majority of apps wouldn't qualify as sellable on other platforms.
iTunes users with multiple libraries/computers. The new home sharing feature (and app organization) make iTunes 9 a decent update, while the facebook/twitter features (at least in a quick look) don't seem very groundbreaking.
People who recently purchased an iPod Touch. I would've advised everyone I know to not buy the iPod Touch over the last six weeks in order to see what the new Touch would bring. Well, it's out, and if you did recently buy a touch, don't feel too bad.
LOSERS:
Beatles fans. Apple's new LP feature looks custom-made for the Beatles catalog release, but it wasn't to be.
Tablet believers. There's always next time.
iPod Touch cam-fans. How do you have developers on stage to extoll the virtues of the iPhone/iPod Touch OS, then not try to make it easier for them by standardizing hardware with cameras and microphones on the Touch? This is by far the most head-scratching omission from today's event.
What are your thoughts on today's announcements?
Apple event, announcements, iPod, iTunes, touch Permalink