Comments on: iPod at 5: The little gadget that could

The ubiquitous white earbuds revolutionized digital music and consumer electronics in October 2001, and Apple shows no signs of letting up.
Photos: iPod through the years

[BobBobBobBobBobBobBob]

no Q4 coverage from CNET?

No surprise to me since CNet seems to cover only negative APPL
news :P

[Tom Krazit]

Apple earnings coverage

We did this story on Wednesday, when Apple released its earnings.

http://news.com.com/Apple+results+beat+the+Street/2100-1047_3-6127255.html

There's a link to that story in the third paragraph, by the way.

[rmiecznik]

8.4 million sold in 3 months!

Can anyways say Apple ?

almost 10 million units sold in only 3 months, how can Microsoft beat that ?

I don't see how.

[cnutsucks]

Easy. M$ will make all Windows installs require a Zune purchase

They'll just tweak the code once again to force
http://www.teckmagazine.com/reviews/software-reviews/roxio-easy-media-creator-9-review.html
every Vista user to purchase a Zune before they are allowed to see their OS desktop.
Strongarm tactics the M$ way!

[Ipod Apple]

10 million units sold

http://www.analogstereo.com/apple_ipod_commercial.htm

[john55440]

70% Share - Will Fall In The Future

With increasing competition from a variety of sources, iPod's market share will slowly decline.

[DemiHampster]

John has spoken

Thanks for the detailed analysis.

[robot999]

And you're going to die...

No really, someday we all will. Oh yea, sorry, that is SO OBVIOUS!
LOL

[amateriat]

That's what they said about Microsoft Word...

...and as much as I would wish it otherwise, Word is still the 800lb gorilla of apps. The difference with the iPod, of course, is that the majority of DLP users chose the iPod freely. When a given product reaches critical mass, it takes tremendous effort for a competing product to chip away at its market share. Much as I love the iPod/iTunes combo, I wouldn't mind seeing Zune get a little market traction, if for no other reason than to keep Apple from growing complacent. Wouldn't touch Zune with a bargepole myself, though. ;-)

[dansterpower]

Not any time soon -- 70% is here for some time.

With their installed base, superior system (itunes + iPod) and
new offerings in 2007, this 70% is not going ANYWHERE anytime
soon.

[www.SMicFromHome.com]

99 cents per song - is genius business

I buy from myself!!!

[Mister Winky]

Are You Blind?

You see what you want to see, and not much else. Open thine eyes!

[Mister Winky]

Response to BobBobBob, etc.

:)

[dotmike]

2006's Zune == 1990's Windows 3.0 ?

History:

From 1985-1990, Macintosh dominated the GUI computing
market.

In 1990, the release of Windows 3.0 started eating into it.

In 1995, five years later, the release of Windows 95 finished off
the Macintosh's former dominance, and in subsequent years all
but wiped it from the map.


Present:

From 2001-2006, iPod dominated the large capacity portable
music player market

In 2006, Microsoft released the Zune.

Future:

In 2011, will history have repeated itself?


The differences, if they matter, are that this time Apple has Steve
Jobs in command, whereas Microsoft has all but lost its genius in
the form of Bill Gates, who has instead directed his attention to
donating money to improve the health of 3rd world countries.
Microsoft employees like to think they are a match for Apple's,
however.


Please note:

not being a troll here, I'm a happy iPod owner since a 1G (2001)
model and currently have a 60GB 5G (2005) iPod plus a 4GB
(2005) nano.

I was thinking (for a short while) about buying a Zune, but spent
my Christmas money on a Sony Reader instead.

[daveworld]

Sorry Different Market / times

Microsoft got its monopoly status largely to them dominating the business market. It's easy to see people (many first time computer users) wanting the same computer they use at the business for home. Easy to see consumers wanting the same PC at home for compatibility reasons. Also let?s not forget the illegal (mob) tactics of pressuring the OEM's to use only Microsoft software!

Today, Microsoft is an old dinosaur in the PC market. A market that is not the same as the consumer electronics market. The CE market is a fast moving, fast changing market. It's not just Apple and Microsoft at play here like the PC side. And they can not run the same illegal tactics they did on the PC side.

[dansterpower]

Not This Time.

Microsoft will get a small share of the media player market
within 5 years. But this time, Apple will maintain the lead. The
base, the system and new stuff coming out in 2007 will Ice this
for sure.

[Ryo Hazuki]

Congratulations! :)

Congratulations Apple iPod!

It's still the best MP3 player on the market IMHO and I think it will continue to be so after Microsoft's Zune is released.

Long live the Apple iPod! :)

[J.G.]

A GOOD five years!

Can't say that I'm blissful about much that has happened in the world during the last five years. Who would have thought 'terrorism' would be a word one read or heard every day? But, I purchased my first iPod a week after the original release and have owned each generation of full-size iPod prior to the recent 80 GB release. Overall, I've been a satisfied user. It is amazing to have gone from stares and people asking 'What is that?' to the current iPod Nation.

The funniest thing I saw regarding this article was the poll result saying there are actually iPodless people "waiting for the Zune."

[dansterpower]

Ah, Great Days to Be a Producer using Apple Gear.

Bravo Apple!

These are great days to be a 30 year User of Apple Hardware,
Software and Utilities to Produce the Creative Work that makes
me and my family our living. Excellent Operating System.
Hardware that works. Fantastic Production and Programming
Software.

I've still got my PC's with Windows here and there in our studio,
but if you ask me what I use -- and I can use anything I want as
a top producer and owner -- I choose the Mac with OSX. Rock
Solid Production and Programming System.

Hat's Off! Bravo Apple.

DJO

[hlwilson3]

It doesn't always pay to be first...

Diamond Multimedia (Rio), Nike, Philips were out in front with MP3 players in 1998/1999, but they fumbled the football. Kudos to Apple for recognizing an opportunity and build a great product for a market that was hungry for a better solution.