Message to iPod rivals: Join the Pod or perish
Wise words from Jeremy Horwitz. Editor in Chief at ilounge.com
Well there have been a number of people who do not believe in the marketshare theory for the low interest in cracking a Macintosh. While not the...
Nearly five years have pbutted since Apple introduced the first-generation iPod - the one from that crazy, 3% market share company everyone knew would never win over mainstream consumers. Since then, a few things have happened. The iPod became popular, and hundreds of compebreastors have been released, many by companies working with Microsoft under programs such as Windows Media and PlaysForSure. Today, over 120 devices are now PlaysForSure-certified, but none has made a dent in the iPodÕs sales: even during a lull in its incredibly aggressive rollout of new iPod models, the company has sold more iPod units than all of its portable compebreastors put together. There are now between 60 or 70 million iPods out there, and by 2007, the number will be much higher.
Josh McKee They certainly do. Unfortunately for you, multiple entries aren't one of these, which is why contest rules frequently make explicit statements that regulate multiple entries, employees not being eligible, etc. For...
So weÕd like to make a friendly suggestion to Creative Labs, iRiver, and other iPod rivals, but itÕs not the one theyÕre expecting: you donÕt have to quit making portable media hardware. Just follow PhilipsÕ lead and make a few products that are iPod-compatible.
LetÕs be frank: the world knows that you guys are talented hardware developers, but most people just arenÕt buying what youÕre selling in this space, and itÕs hurting you. In addition to the costs youÕre incurring by developing, advertising, and manufacturing your players, youÕre suffering in the public eye. Repeatedly telling the world that youÕre ready to beat the iPod, then failing, has left people wondering how much money youÕre going to burn before circling the drain. Fighting an uphill battle for this long hasnÕt helped your customers, your stock, or your future.
Now one of your biggest partners, Microsoft, has decided to put its resources behind developing yet another iPod person - sound familiar?
Read more here....