Makers of iPod accessories “got something of a scare during Apple CEO Steve Jobs’s Jan. 11 keynote at the Macworld confab in San Francisco. After unveiling a new, low-price version of the iPod, the iPod shuffle, Jobs also announced that his outfit would sell its own Apple-branded, $29 waterproof sport case — the first time it had offered any such product. What’s more, Jobs made a quick note of a ‘Made for iPod’ program, in which only authorized accessory makers would get the right to put Apple’s stamp of approval on their wares,” Peter Burrows reports for BusinessWeek.
“Fear not, iPod accessory makers. Rather than aggressively expanding into iPod accessories, Apple’s plan appears to be: keep the party going for its many partners. Besides the iPod shuffle sports case, it has no plans for a broader product rollout, says Executive Vice-President Phil Schiller,” Burrows reports.
“Schiller adds the Made for iPod program seeks to formalize how accessory makers work with Apple — while also preventing consumers from getting stuck with knockoff products that don’t perform as advertised. ‘We have worked hard on this market, to help developers design, market, and sell their products,’ he adds. ‘And that’s what we intend to keep doing,” Burrows reports. “That’s smart, says Tim Deal, an analyst with Technology Business Research. ‘When you consider that there are so many competitive alternatives to the iPod, it’s important for Apple to keep these accessory makers happy,’ he says. ‘It adds to the iPod’s viability as the digital-music standard.'”
Burrows reports, “Accessory makers that have been briefed about Apple’s plan say it will help more than hurt. While none revealed the exact details, Made for iPod is essentially a way to make sure all electronics accessories work properly with the iPod. It doesn’t apply to nontechnical products, such as cases or polishes. Those who agree to follow Apple’s technical specifications will be able to include a ‘Made for iPod’ logo on their packaging. The logo should start appearing on speakers, car adapters, power supplies, and other such gizmos within a few weeks.”
Full article here.
With so much innovation on the part of third party vendors, it’s no wonder Apple is comfortable with letting them run.
I like having lots of choices, personally.
~M
As an aside…
I have noticed that Phillips puts a green “also for iPod” sticker on some of their accessories.
I saw this on speakers and ear phones. Has anyone else noticed manufacturers taking special care to align themselves with iPod?
~M
Good. This will make sure everything works as advertised and keep the whole experience up to Apple Par. Now if Apple would just open up on the operating system a little more we might get some great 3rd party add ons or games, etc. I kinda doubt they will do that yet though.
(This accessory) Plays Well (with iPod) for sure?
Maybe Apple will start suing these venders.
Made for iPod
Plays for Sure
I wonder if BMW’s will have “Made for iPod” on them?
I got my 512 shuffle yesterday. What a perfect device for my type!!!! Everybody needs one of these!!! I lay in bed last night with my wife sawing logs and I was a foot away in a concert hall listening to my favorites. With this shuffle, there is no worry about dropping it and it is so light that you forget it’s there after awhile. All tucked under the covers, I didn’t have to look at which button to press…just feel the wheel. If I lost it, I wouldn’t cry, I would just get another one.
The KISS principle really applies with the shuffle and like AP said, ‘the biggest feature is less features’. Wow!! This shuffle is awesome. You have to experience it to really know how awesome.
Totally agree with Newmanstein’s assessment of the shuffle. I use mine in a different way, on a bus ride to and from work.
1. The simplicity is perfect. Sometimes I want to hear something different so I just feel for the wheel through my sweater or jacket.
2. The lack of weight means I wear it on me at all times during the day.
3. It doesn’t matter that I don’t have my entire music collection on it. With 9 hours of music I can go for days and not hear the same thing. When I want more tunes I just trade them out. Found updating the shuffle to be pretty rapid with my Mac mini which has USB 2.
Right now supply is constrained, but this year Apple will be selling these puppies by the boatload. I still see lots of folks on the bus with CD players, so I’m sure Apple has a huge upside converting this group of users to the shuffle.
This seems like a nice little poke at the “Plays4Sure” campaign. Go Apple.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Like Newmanstein and Retail Boy, I wear my iPod shuffle (with lanyard) a lot, especially working out and working outside. The extra weight of the lanyard (approximately 4 grams or a tenth of an ounce) is barely noticeable, and that’s flattering my sensitivity.
But I have one concern, which may turn out to be a fatal fashion problem. I am sure my lanyard is going to suffer from the ring around the collar syndrome, and change from its pristine white to a dirty gray color.
Can I keep the lanyard clean? (Perhaps using something like scotch guard.) OR
Can I wash the lanyard? If so, how? OR
Will some clever manufacturer make fashionable lanyards in time for me to prevent my embarrassment?
(Brought to you by) Did Apple CONSIDER this problem?
an iPod inspired contest like few others:
http://www.readymademag.com/feature_12_macgyver.php