Networking: iPod dominance a mirage?

UPI ^ | January 9, 2005 | UPI

[2Jim_Brown]

CHICAGO, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Though Apple Computer has reported remarkable success with its iPod -- sales rose by 250 percent during the last fiscal year -- there is some competition coming this week for the developer of the world's most famous, legitimate music downloading network, experts tell United Press International's Networking.

The rivalry, moreover, is not approaching from Asian consumer electronics pioneers Sony or Samsung. Rather, it is emerging from Apple's oldest American nemesis, Microsoft Corp., which has teamed with Verizon Wireless, a project of Verizon Communications and the U.K.'s telecom whiz Vodafone. By Gene Koprowski

[2Jim_Brown]

There si competition for Apple Computer by Microsoft.

[SlowBoat407]

This is going to be interesting.

[mosquitobite]

My husband bought me the Samsung MP3 for Christmas.

[tubebender]

iPod iPing...

[Huck]

I don't get the whole Ipod craze. Isn't it basically an mp3 player? Similarly, I don't get the podcast craze. Isn't just a streamed mp3? I play mp3s on my cd player, and I stream music by friggin clicking on it. What's the difference? Where's the beef?

[Panerai]

Yeah, must be just a mirrage that 95% of the people that I see everyday on the subway and on the street, wear ipods.

[Izzy Dunne]

I stream music by friggin clicking on it. What's the difference?

You can't take your desktop computer and monitor into the men's room and listen to a podcast while you, um, relax.

[Revolting cat!]

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, speaking at last week's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, summed up Redmond's strategic vision succinctly: "People will over time carry one portable device."

You betcha! And on their feet, too!

[Izzy Dunne]

Ah, yes, the next "iPod Killer".

[Huck]

It's a portable mp3 player. I get that. But you can't download songs on the john, can you? You need to hook it up to your computer to do that. So what's the big deal? Why is it so much more hyped than any other mp3 player?

[narby]

But Apple isn't just going to let itself fail like it did over a decade ago with the ill-fated Newton; the company recently announced on its Web site that it is making first-run TV shows, like the "Tonight Show" and "The Office," available for download, at $1.99, the day after they air on TV.

Pay per view Tonight Show? I don't think so.

I've already got a TiVo if I really needed to watch Leno the day after.

[Revolting cat!]

"People will over time carry one portable device."

... and 10,000 pairs of shoes.

[-YYZ-]

Good design, good interface, good back-end software for your PC to manage your collection, good website with new music available for download (at a cost, of course). Most of the potential competitors have only had one or maybe two of these attributes. Some have none.

[mpop]

I would say Apple is almost set, why do I say this, I have seen more and more devices that have a connector for the iPod, that connects to the iPod's dock connector. Unless other mp3 players get this same connector that controls it. Some cars now even have iPod connectors. I have a AM/FM radio that has a iPod dock connector (the iHome)

[shempy]

I don't get it either. Apple has a nice little gadget, but I don't see it as some sort of permanent fixture in society from this point forward. It seems to be a status thing as much as anything. It isn't some revolutionary new thing, just the natural evolution of technology. This technology will evolve so quickly that, while Apple has an enviable market position, they have no lock on future success. Based on their history, I would say it is inevitable that they get beat in this market like they did in the computer market.

[Izzy Dunne]

But you can't download songs on the john, can you?

Of course not - are you deliberately being obtuse?

You asked what was the difference between playing streaming music (or other programs) on your desktop and on an iPod.

[Revolting cat!]

Nobody needs a iPod. Everybody needs shoes!

[Huck]

Based on their history, I would say it is inevitable that they get beat in this market like they did in the computer market.

Based on their history, someone else will sell the same product for a 3rd of the price.

[mpop]

TiVo is planning on allowing you do download your recordings to a iTunes Library, so it can be put on an iPod, so you will not have to pay for it via iTunes.