Is the iPod Losing Ground? - Too fast too soon?
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Very few people would disagree with the idea that the iPod has had a great design since its inception. The iPod has always been thought of as more stylish and the smallest music player. Did Apple help push the digital music market faster or shoot themselves in the foot? While there will always be more room for storage and smaller players, is there a point where small is too small?
With the video iPod, Apple used a bigger screen. While this didn't increase the size of the iPod too much, it did make it difficult to keep it tiny. Tiny screens don't work well for movies. There have been few advances so far except size and battery life; the newest generation supports video. Not many other features have been added to the iPod.
There aren't many more advances other than size and battery life that could really be made without a vastly different product. They did add games to the fifth generation iPods, but they haven’t been much of a hit. People buy Gameboys and PSPs to play games.
Some are speculating that the next generation iPod may contain a widescreen touch sensitive screen that will take up the entire front side, very similar to the iPhone. Many questions arise from this such as how to filter through music and how easily it will scratch. People seem to be expecting something similar to a digital wheel. Maybe we will see different colored iPods emerge as they already have across the iPod nanos and shuffles.
Apple stripped the useful remote from the included accessories with the third generation. Other devices offer FM radio or some even wi-fi connections. I see no reason why Apple couldn’t have added the radio function instead of making it an additional $50. The dock and power adapter also have gotten accessorized over time. The iPod already has the highest price tag for its size; consumers wanting these features would have to shell out even more money. It looks like people have had enough with accessorizing iPods and have decided to just get an alternative MP3 player.
Conclusion
Apple has changed the digital media market in a few years. Their iPods have been revolutionary and are the dominating force in the market. Over the last few years, however, Apple's competitors have gotten their acts together and have put out some products that rival and beat the iPods in features and price. While many companies still have problems competing with Apple, competitors are getting devices in the market and they are selling.
While the iPod is still burying the needle for most popular MP3 player on Amazon's best sellers list, we are seeing other players such as the Sandisk Sansa creep up the list. This along with the legal complications of the iTunes Music Store could create a spiral for the iPod. Apple shouldn’t be in a heap of worry right now, but there appears to be some rough roads ahead.
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