Rollins on iPod: A fad?

Dell's take-no-prisoners CEO, Kevin Rollins, has seen fads that come and go--and he thinks Apple Computer's iPod may fall into that category. "It's interesting: The iPod has been out for three years, and it's only this past year it's become a raging success,"he said. "Well, those things that become fads rage, and then they drop off. When I was growing up there was a product made by Sony called the Sony Walkman--a rage, everyone had to have one. Well, you don't hear about the Walkman anymore. I believe that one-product wonders come and go. You have to have sustainable business models, sustainable strategy. But don't read that as any sort of disparagement of Apple. They've done a nice job."

Click here to read the full interview.

Andy McCue of Silicon.com reported from Round Rock, Texas, where he traveled as a guest of Dell.

[M C]

"So what if we ran this once already. We need a Mac story, dammit!"

Mac stories are the most-read on CNet, especially controversial ones, so I guess that trumps common sense and news judgment...?

Not a Fad.

Rollins makes a good point about the Walkman, but iPod's sales continue to increase year after year.

According to CNN, ?Apple has sold more than 10 million iPods since their introduction in October 2001, with sales in the most recent quarter more than doubling to 4.58 million from the prior period.? http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/ptech/01/18/ipod.shuffle.reut/index.html

Buy an iPod Shuffle, Wait a Month... http://allwaysmusic.modblog.com/

---

[wylbur]

A Fad, like Dell and the Dell Dude

Perhaps a fad, but the Walkman actually had a pretty long half life that was picked up by the Discman. A ten year half life for a tech product is pretty darn good. Sure I don't have a walkman today, but then again I have not used a tape in about ten years-- the format died and Sony made a monumentally bad bet on the MD format and lost their dominance in the portable audio segment. I think there are some sour grapes here. The iPod has been a hit since day one-- not because of branding, but because anybody who tries it says "Ahh, I did not think it was possible to scroll through a list of 150 options so smoothly, quickly, and accurately. I wish they could do that for my cable box." I bet the folks at Dell wish Apple didn't have a patent portfolio built around the scroll wheel so Dell could build an equally easy to use player. Better luck next time Dell dudes.

[technewsjunkie]

U don't hear about the walkman because it's a Standard

U don't hear about the walkman because it's a Standard

Walkmans...Outta Style?

I'm sorry, but am I the only person reading this that looks
around and sees a million Walkmans everywhere? Fad? Really???
OK, so not all of them are Sonys, but Apple may be learning
from Sony's mistakes back then...and even if not, Apple has
positioned itself firmly as the leader, the "new Sony," much as
Sony is still regarded by on-the-go CD playing consumers.

[Llib Setag]

Dell CEO to CNET-Reboot Story!

Why reprint this Dell CEO sputum?
LOOOOOOONG list of flames followed last story in reader's
comments (PC & Mac Users).

So, retitle & reprint / reboot Dell CEO's image & keep CNET
advertiser happy.

Follow the money & you will find the truth.