The new iPhone is a cute piece of kit, though I question the wisdom of it, but where does it fit into the iPod lineup?
The true music lover, or person who wants to watch video, is currently encouraged to buy a 30Gb or 60Gb model, though there is some hint that 80Gb might be on the way. Prices from $249.
Those with a more modest collection, or who don’t want to watch video, or who don’t mind messing around managing their music, can get the iPod nano. Prices from $179.
Then there’s the shuffle, for the gym or sports.
Now let’s think about the new iPhone. It has a much nicer interface than the iPod or the Nano, and can play video. In fact, it can play video on a nice, widescreen display.
But it lacks the storage space – and probably the battery life to do much playing of videos. On the other hand, it only stores as many songs as a decent-sized iPod Nano. For about 3 times the price.
The great wisdom of Apple’s marketing in the last few years has been to sell a relatively simple line-up of products. It is easy for the consumer to match requirements to product. Only do car showrooms devote so much floor space to selling so few products.
The iPhone wrecks that, to a degree. Certainly, the smart money might be on the development of a touch-screen iPod/PDA in the not too distant future. Otherwise the flagship iPods are going to be a hard sell.
There’s another (smaller) issue here too. AJJ has already noted his disappointment at the resolution offered by the Apple TV unit. But now Apple can’t increase the resolution of TV shows and the like from the iTMS without upsetting people locked into a two year contract with an expensive device that will struggle with even the 500Mb of a TV episode at current resolutions.
This is all going to be an interesting mess for someone to untangle.