Comments on: Why I can't wait for the iPod to die

Don Reisinger wants to see the iPod die as soon as possible. Apple fans may not like that, but would it make things better?

[justinflood]

I think you may be off base a bit by saying that Apple doesn't realize that the iPod is nearing the end of the line. Personally, I think they're well aware of it, and they've already made their move on that front.

The iPhone is that next move. They know that the MP3 player market is drying up and they've already moved on to bigger and better things. But it's not like they're going to just decide to stop selling iPods just because the market is drying up. They know they can change the color and shape a bit, bump the capacity, lower the price, and the masses will continue to eat it up for the time being.

As long as there are people to buy them, the iPod isn't going anywhere, sadly.

[dd13reis]

Interesting point. I'm starting to think that the iPhone isn't the follow-up though -- I'm starting to think it's the Apple TV -- Apple's foray into the home.

Everyone wants to get into the home and I can't help but think that that's where everything is going.

What do you think?

-Don

[kelmon]

I'm not sure about the AppleTV. I think getting content on-demand to the customer is indeed the future, and that there certainly is a demand for HD content, but whether Apple can compete effectively against cable and satellite providers is unclear. While the hardware is important, the most important aspect of the problem that Apple needs to address is the content. Outside of the US the AppleTV has been utterly useless until recently and even now the amount of content is relatively low. To really make the device a success Apple needs to negotiate some better deals with the content providers to, for example, get movies available for rental on the AppleTV as soon as they are available for rental in other formats. Currently it looks like you have to wait at least a month after the DVD became available before you can rent it via iTunes and that puts it at a competitive disadvantage.

[Earl Benzar]

Nice attempt at a hit piece. Let me guess, you probably work for Google and you're agenda is to push Android, thus you need to try to malign the iPhone/iPod ecosystem. Right?

[Dpaterso1]

i dont think he mentioned the iphone once

[dd13reis]

What a stupid comment. Here's an idea, Earl: do some research and find out who I am and what I do and THEN come back and ask me if I work for Google or any other company that pushes your outrageous agenda. I didn't malign the iPhone either, by the way.

-Don

[lrmaggie]

Earl, your a dope. He's a journalist....AND his piece is clearly shedding light on the technology market as it is now, not bashing Apple. Why are some Apple fans so defensive like you're talking about their mother? Get a life.

Also, learn the proper use of 'you're' and 'your'.

[RobinQueens]

I agree with the previous reply. iTouch and iPhone are heir apparent to the iPod. When the hard drives expand, and prices get more realistic, sales will go through the roof. the best hope for change is if a major company can do what iTunes does and loses DRM in the process for movies and music. maybe I should wait for hell to freeze over huh? Isn't apple tv an oversized ipod?

[dd13reis]

That's what I was telling the other commenter: I think the Apple TV will be the future, not the iPhone or the iPod touch. Apple, like every other company, wants to get into the home and I think this is the place to do it.

What do you think?

-Don

[mtroy11]

It amazes me how slow natural competitors (Palm, Blackberry, MS) have been in coming out with a multi-function device that does music as well as the iPod. A really good MP3 software for any of those devices and a friendlier user interface and they could be off to the races. They would also have an immediate leg up by offering bluetooth support and not restricting third party apps like Apple does. Right now the iPod is in fashion, but the author is right, that will fade within a few years. Google has a good rep too, and not nearly as proprietary about things. I haven' t seen its entry yet, but it could be an iPod killer if it has the quality of other Google products.

[dd13reis]

It's pathetic, isn't it? I don't quite understand how things can be so bad that they can't even come up with something, anything, to rival the iPhone. All around, pretty pathetic.

-Don

[ddanckaert]

Apple has the iPod targeted to the exact functional categories:

Full featured client (with and without phone): iphone 3g and ipod touch
Portable lightweight with manual manipulation (wheel): nano
Small play-list capable, highly portable: shuffle
High Capacity (until flash drives large enough to retire this line): classic

I own two iPhone 3Gs, two Nano 4th Generation (16G) iPods, a 2GB shuffle, an Apple TV, three Airport Express base stations, an Airport Extreme base station, and a Mac Mini. I've been buying Apple products since 2005 along with my PCs and manage all my multimedia content in the Apple universe. This is not to say I'm stuck buying my content from iTunes. It's quite easy to acquire content from CDs, DVDs, and other online stores like Amazon MP3 for use here.

What I'm looking for is technical competence and an assurance that the system will be maintained for the long-term. Microsoft, Yahoo, and Real have all proved that they're going to keep throwing technical approaches at the wall and hope that one sticks. If you bought content using some of their older systems, well, hope you never have to upgrade your PC after they take the license servers down.

In the mean time, Apple has a winning formula and there's no reason that they can't stay on top of the game for the long-term. As long as they stay true to their spirit of innovation, strong sense of style, and don't abandon the customer needs/preferences, then they will do well for the long-term.

This is not to say I don't want competitors like Samsung, Sandisk, Microsoft, Sony, working on alternative technologies. I do. I want my iPod to sync with iTunes over my wireless network. I want my iPhone to function as a remote access client to my Mac Mini (via Back to My Mac). In fact, there's been reporting that the 4G nano wasn't going to come out with a 16GB capacity but did so because of competitive pressure--that's good. I'm waiting patiently for the 32GB iPhone 3G and Nano as that will enable me to sync all of my music. I have a feeling that competitive pressure will result in those models being introduced by the end of 2009 if not sooner.

In any case, there is no preordained rise & fall of the Apple empire. McDonalds, Starbucks, Apple, Walmart, etc. All of these companies have a winning formula and build on it.

[dd13reis]

Good points all around. Who knows? Maybe the iPod will last. I agree that Apple has a winning formula and I'm absolutely sold on the idea that it will probably use this formula until it's broken. But I simply don't think the iPod is a McDonald's or a Starbucks. It's a device with a finite life.

-Don

[YankeePoodle]

I am not sure Apple IPod is an exception to the above rule. Yes, there are much cheaper options and once IPod do not have the profitability that they used to carry Apple would dump them. I respect apples creativity, IPhone is to an extent cannibalizing the IPod market (for now).

IPod may still hang around very much into next decade, smart devices like IPhone are the future.

[lylez]

Relax. Cell phones will slurp up the iPod. By that I mean that cell phones will have a larger and larger storage capacity, so people will just load their music onto their cell phone and listen to it on blue-tooth connected headphones.

[dd13reis]

Cell phones? Interesting take. Do you think it'll be the iPhone or something else? If it's the iPhone, it's not much of a difference compared to the iPod touch.

-Don

[RAL45]

Cell phones are the wave of the future without a doubt.

[dd13reis]

I hope not. I want to see something different, something unique.

-Don

[alenas]

Everyone is praising iTunes, but software itself is a piece of crap. They might have the biggest catalog of music, but player is so 90's, does not have subscriptions and a lot of content is still DRM'd.
Did you see latest Zune software on Vista (3.0)? iTunes is ashamed to stay on PC after Zune is installed :)
Also apple has a long way to go until they work out all the synchronization stuff - for example my iTunes (latest version) crashes all the time on Vista and is unable to synchronize Contacts or Calendar. I guess Apple developers are not very bright after all :)

[dd13reis]

I have to agree that I prefer other software solutions over iTunes, but when it comes down to making a decision, it's tough for me to pick something else. I usually use Amazon's DRM-free store, but it's a tough choice to even do that.

-Don

[renGek]

OMG I absolutely hate the iTunes software. Its EVIL!!! Its constantly trying to contact the mother ship even when you're not running it. I can't tell you how many times I had expunge their background services only to find it reappear after each patch/upgrade. However, I uninstalled it a while ago so I would hope its less evil now. And those services were resource hogs. Bad programming.

[Jlenberg]

Everything crashes on Vista. Tell me, what can you use on Vista that works better? What you are telling us is iTunes is bad, but there isn't anything better, so the conclusion is there isn't anything good on the market.

The problem is, most people who are not satisfied are those that have an attention span of minutes. Why can't we be happy with a product that delivers so much. Every time Apple or any other manufacturer comes up with an upgrade, I then need new cables and attachments. That is my complaint. I still own the original iPod that works great, the author makes fun of the Classic, but I bought it because of its versatility. Huge hard drive for all my music, movies, backup drive for when I travel, etc. Shame on Apple for providing me with an all in one product that works seamlessly with everything else.

I hope you complainers go out and buy all the wonderful junk produced by most other manufacturers (I am not saying Apple is the only good one).

[Logecy]

Who the heck cares about subscriptions, other than aleans, that is. I use iTunes because I can PURCHASE my music, not borrow it. I imagine that iTunes will lose as many, if not more, fans than it gains if it follows a subscription model.

[opinion8ted]

Well, you're in the extremely tiny minority on this one, alenas. "Piece of crap"? iTunes beats out any other music software I've tried, and continues to provide simple, instant access to music I want. Sounds like a Microsoft apologist to me...

I've yet to have a problem with synchronization. Maybe if you stopped using that "piece of crap" Vista, you'd have less problems.

Subscriptions are for fools. Why would I want to pay monthly just to "rent" songs? For what subscriptions cost, I can have all the music I really want to have, and have it forever!

[this1!]

and yet again, you manage to write an absolutely pointless article, seeing as how you predicted apple should release a game console, i dont think they'll be taking any advice from you, now should anyone else.

[dd13reis]

What a joke. Explain yourself instead of throwing out your beliefs without backing them up. You really think that the iPod is SO wonderful that we should have it forever? Do you really believe that?

And on the video game front: obviously you're a major Apple fan, so why wouldn't you want to see Apple release a game console? Why is it such a bad idea?

-Don

[ryanmickyv]

@this1.. Have you seen the latest Iphone ad, with all those games being played on the iphone?

I think the author's prediction has come true, as Iphone OS 2.0: it may not hook up to the tv, but the Iphone can play many very fun and addictive games.

[this1!]

at dd, and ryan, i never said anything about the ipod/phone/touch. i dont any of those items, im just stating, blatently, that the article was a pointless read. Nothing lasts forever, hell i can say blueray will die out in a decade, just as the dvd died out in decade.

dont put words in my mouth, hell, dont put anything in my mouth, cuz i bite down...

[this1!]

at dd, and ryan, i never said anything about the ipod/phone/touch (I actually don't own a single apple product). i dont any of those items, im just stating, blatently, that the article was a pointless read. Nothing lasts forever, hell i can say blueray will die out in a decade, just as the dvd died out in decade.

dont put words in my mouth, hell, dont put anything in my mouth, cuz i bite down...

[Dleon84]

People will say enough is enough to Apple about their "iPod clones" when a competitor makes a better product or a new technology arises for music entertainment - in-ear satellite music streams from your Mac/PC at home? Fact is, the competition blows because their product delivery is disastrous and because of the GUI in their devices, not mention music. Your argument is flawed and loses validity with every sentence.

Again, why CNET hasn't fired you yet is beyond belief.

[dd13reis]

Your exact comment here is what I said. Didn't you read through the column before making this argument? I said that it will last until the market makes companies take notice. Read before you comment -- it usually helps.

-Don

[ryanmickyv]

Obviously Dleon84 has never used a Creative Zen MP3 Player. the iPod's GUI actually infringed a Creative's Patent. Apple paid Creative to use it, plus all Creative Zen MP3 Players (with a screen) used the same GUI. Furthermore I don't think you used a Zune either, Zune's GUI interface is as good if not better than the iPod's. Of course I am referring to the iPod classic, in both cases.

[Everlovin G]

Reisinger = transparent

It's always amusing to me how lesser minds so easily toss off what Apple® has done for the *other* portable music player manufacturers/mobile phone developers. Competition is good for the marketplace, but only if the competition can develop a competitive product, which it has yet to do.

As far as iTunes not synching correctly and/or crashing on a Vista box, alenas -- WOO HOO, that's a hoot! iTunes MUST BE the culprit in that scenario. = ^ )

Why are Porsches more expensive than Mustangs? Because Porsches suck? You unapologetic 'Windows guys' are always good for a laugh. Thanks!

~ An Unapologetic Apple Guy [CNET editors' note: Profanity deleted]

[dd13reis]

I commend you for actually admitting that you're an "unapologetic Apple guy". Too many people won't.

But how am I somehow transparent? Oh and I love the "lesser minds" comment. Nice one. It hurt.

First off, competition in the marketplace is non-existent, as a I pointed out in the column. Secondly, no one discussed pricing nor iTunes not syncing properly. Not sure if it's something you wanted to get off your chest, but I don't know where it came from.

Oh and if you read my stuff, you'd quickly realize that I'm not a "Windows guy" as you like to say. In fact, I'm just trying to be honest -- something people on BOTH sides of the fence tend to forget.

-Don

[prasado]

Your analysis is correct that the iPod has peaked. What you don't seem to understand is that Apple has already moved on - with the Touch and the iPhone. They ARE the innovation and The Next Great Thing that you seem to be so desparately yearning for. Open your eyes!

[jestead]

Mr. Wozniac hasn't been inside Apple in 20 years. Try looking for a more lucid source.

[baconstang]

ddan @ 10:15 got it. By your logic, we should have gone beyond the automobile ages ago. The iPod, in it's various forms, serves a function that the Walkman did with the existing technology. Going to a digital format improved functionality and storage capability. Compare an original 4GB hard drive iPod with a 32GB Touch. It's like comparing a Model T to a Prius or Tesla. And personally, I don't want everything on one device.

[gabeheim]

Baconstang, you so trivially ignore the innovations in the automobile industry that were produced as a result of competition, oil shortages, and some brilliant minds. The Model T was actually the Ipod Touch vs the "Ipod Classic" cars made just a year earlier. It had a magneto powered ignition, single cast engine block, vanadium steel chassis, and a host of other innovations. And eventually, that was bested by newer cars with electric starters, V8's, heating, auto transmissions, air conditioning, radios, and we're only into the 1940's. Since the 1960's, the state of auto technology, from comforts, to safety, to powertrain innovations have been significant. With the exception of electronic systems in cars (relatively recent since the 70's), we are talking about mechanical/electrical technologies and processes that did not have the relative ease of exponential development that computing had(there was no moore's l"aw" for automobiles or practically any other industry).

Also, since we are resorting to car comparisons, one might compare Henry Ford to Steve Jobs. Both tried to keep options simple for easier production and profitability. Both were very innovative in their time, and were seen as icons. Henry Ford however, ultimately became the stumbling block to innovation at Ford, to the peril of the company's success. Until he saw Model T sales drop dramatically due to competition, he did not advance automotive technologies significantly. He finally gave in and developed the Model A, which put Ford back into a leadership position. That lapse in market lead, however, allowed many other competitors to establish a significant foothold in the market, including GM, Chrysler, and American Motors. So, i think the author is quite well supported by history in his speculation. Apple may stay ahead for a long time, but unless they somehow manage to keep pushing and outpacing themselves, they are going to stagnate until the market pushes them to move forward. That will especially happen when they have a "Chevy" at their heels.

[M C]

Yay for CNet click bait!

But hey - I thought your compatriot at the Cheapskate blog thinks there are a huge number of way more innovative players than the iPod.

Or is he click-baiting too?

[friday04]

Apple is well aware of the death of the click-wheel iPod. Look at your own arguments to see why. They release small, incremental updates to the click-wheel iPods and place them at lower and lower price points. These devices are now aimed at lower-income people and people looking for a supplemental iPod, e.g. an iPod Classic for their car, and iPod Nano or Shuffle for workouts. They're second-tier devices now.

The iPhone and iPod Touch are what Apple is banking on for the future. You even say that yourself. You said "the iPod Touch is unique in its own right" and then later said "it means that the industry has grown, more innovative products are finally available"

So you hate Apple. You hate the iPod. OK. I'm OK with that, you're entitled to like and use whatever you want. But if you're going to make an argument at least think about what you're saying. You effectively said that you want something that has grown and is more innovative than the click-wheel iPod. And that's the iPhone/iPod Touch.

[jwmpc]

The problem isn't that the iPod stifles innovation, it's the competitors that don't know how to innovate.

A geek toy, the mp3 player, becomes an ubiquitous presence in less than a decade. Luck? Cutthroat competition? Or simply understanding how the public perceives technology?

More than one technological blogger has been giving the 'been there, done that' sermon lately. It's really simple. Either generate enthusiasm with a small segment, or make your appeal universal. All competitors to the iPod have done neither, simply aiming for 'marketshare' and a supposed majority of users in a vague way.

[gabeheim]

I don't think the author ever blamed apple or the ipod. Instead, he is pointing out that a market situation like we have now leads to stagnation, until someone takes the lead again and pushes a new wave of innovation. If apple is on top of everyone else, why should they feel pressure to keep climbing higher? Of course, that ends up leaving room for someone to catch up with or overtake apple at some point, at which apple decides to push forward even harder. It's how the free market works. I am sure Adam Smith would agree with this in principle, at least.

[AppleSuxLeo]

To me , all that white plastic iCrap has never been alive. This new generation thinks it is hifi with their compressed files and lil earbuds...what a joke.
TheiPod-dummies are easy pickins though because they can`t hear someone sneaking up on them , or hear a car coming either. iPodders are easy targets for theft/assault/accidents.

[soutrik93]

The seer irrelevance of that comment in todays world amazes me...
you actually wrote 4-5 sentences without making a single valid point...wow

[opinion8ted]

Your comments always reveal your ignorance. Hope you're stuck with your pathetic little Zune/brick forever. You're obviously in the minority - by 10's of millions!

[Noculator]

So, I find these so called millions and millions of iPod users are the majority of boring, complacent mediocrity,,, There's nothing great about iPods. Nothing has changed about them. Just rehashed versions of the same boring design. Popuartiy breeds mediocrity... IPods are proof of that.

[Seaspray0]

I would prefer a guy in the car next to me listening to an ipod with little white earbuds than a jerk next to me vibrating the concrete in the entire neighborhood with a trunk full of speakers. Leo, are you one of those jerks?

[artistjoh]

Gee, you are with it enough to know about Hi Fi? From the tone of your ludditism I I would have expected you to do without electricity. After all you are perfectly safe when walking around dragging your club without any of those modern distractions. And don't forget that all those idiots with TV's are all sitting ducks for burglars, and don't let me get started on those new fangled telephones with their distracting party lines and cars? Obviously they distract one from hearing the bears in the woods.

You gotta be kidding...

[theveggiedude]

The iPod touch is the answer - it is an internet device, a gaming device, a video device and an iPod all in one. Where have you been?

[Noculator]

You would be a clueless fool to belive that ipod touch is the answer. I would NEVER buy into a device so proprietary as this.

[Seaspray0]

gaming device? by what standard? When I saw the commercial, it looked like someone scrounged up all the games for a gameboy.

[CouchGuy]

Uh...
Apple already HAS moved on to the next big thing -- called the iPhone/iPod Touch. These devices are so much more than an iPod, and they represent the direction for the future. As usual, Apple broke the new ground and no one else has anything like them -- yet. Apple has plenty of head start here (especially with the iPod Touch -- the new computing/communications/entertainment platform for the people who already know the cell phone is yesterday's news).