David Chartier writes for The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW), “Alright, it’s my turn to rant this week (today?), and this time around it’s about an editorial I found at Macworld that asks that question that just has to crop up every so often: is Apple moving away from its computer roots?
“No. And as a general call-out: please stop asking this question every time Apple introduces an iPod or a product that simply isn’t a Mac,” Chartier writes.
Full article here.
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interesting that by asking this question, MDN does exactly what the author of the article is asking people not to do.
I agree with Chartier. It gets tiresome to hear someone complain Apple supposedly becoming a music company just because they updated an iPod.
Boring.
I was at an Apple store yesterday, and the whole front window display was ALL IPOD, no computer signs or equipment in sight. I would say yes Apple is moving away from computers. Just look at the advertising, almost none for computers, and even metro transit trains are plastered with iPod ads. iPods will never change the world in the way Stevo envisioned. In fact, iPods do nothing more than undermine person-to-person connectivity because everyone is hiding behind their earphones. Society is not better because of the iPod. It is better because of Mac computers.
iMaki,
Well said. I agree.
Amen, iMaki.
One day, the Mac mini will become an iPod too
One day, the Mac mini will become an iPod too
One day, the Mac mini will become an iPod too
If you’re ever in Atlanta, check the main metro transit station, Five Points. It is PLASTERED with huge iPod ads everywhere. Halo effect. Shmalo effect. I doubt most of the people who see those ads know that Apple makes cool computers or know anything about OS X. Shame on Apple for ignoring the Mac.
I think Apple is in wierd situation because of the switch to Intel. They did have a big campain planned but it was scrapt because of this. I think once the switch has been made, you’ll see advertising for the Mac. And lets not forget that sales for their computers are up anyway.
The iPod is Apple’s gateway drug. They get you hooked with it’s elegance and make you love the company that created it. Then, after owning it for a while you start learning that they offer many more products and, upon further investigation, realize that they have an entire ecosystem of equipment.
I think one of the main reasons the iHalo is becoming a reality is because Apple’s marketing. They have a component that they can advertise with little or no explanation and it attracts people to them. I’ve heard that one of the reasons the Mac isn’t advertised is because it’s too difficult to demonstrate it’s attributes effectively in 30 seconds.
So, by showing people their engineering ethics in a small, concise package, they are advertising everything they do through the iPod
Maki, the iPod is no different than any other personal portable media medium, whether it be the walkman, the discman, the gameboy, books or newspapers.
It’s merely a different method of carrying and listening/reading/watching that media. The people who are listening to iPods today on the train in to work or the subway were the same people who would read a book, newspaper or listen to their walkman. You can’t blame the iPod for the fall of society. That began long before the iPod was ever conceived.
The one thing the iPod has contributed to society is greater freedom to do what you want with the media you have and with the iTMS, made accessing media in many different forms far more convenient. It has also created new ways for the little guy to get his ideas across to larger audiences than was ever before possible via podcasts.
My point being that the iPod and iTMS has contributed more to society than I think you can single it out for detracting.
Andy
Please tell me three things:
Did Apple have to lay off Mac division workers because the iPod has lost Apple so much money?
I didn’t think so.
And is Apple working on future processors and new versions of OS X?
That’s right–in a big way.
And do iPod owners sometimes buy Macs next?
There you go, three for three!
So WHAT are people thinking when they say the iPod means Apple doesn’t care about computers?
Did they say that when Apple sold scanners? Printers? Cameras? Displays? Software?
Sleepy.
Fridays are soooooooooooo dullllllllllllll . . .
Gawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwd!!!!
Society isn’t worth “saving”. So, might as well make money off all you boobs!
What about the Apple II have they have totally abandonded all marketing so they can trumpet their fancy new “Mac” computers…
Oh wait that was the discussion in 1985…
as long as it helps apple , who cares ?
I’ll start complaining about the lack of advertising if, a year from now, they’re not advertising Leopard on Intel. The Intel switch is the reason for lack of advertising now, I believe. Before that we saw iMac ads along with iPod ads.
With their computer sales growing many times faster than any other manufacturer, I can’t see how anyone could argue that there is not a halo effect or that Apple doesn’t care about the source of half their revenue.
Oh horrors! iPod stuff all over the front of the store, but no computer stuff. Even I can guess that the reasoning behind that would be that the iPod is the talk of the town… You should always put the talk of the town product in your front window… That way, people will see it, recognize it (“Ooh! There’s that thing everyone’s talking about!”), and go inside the store… Then there’s computers inside the store. Hello!
Last time I checked, my iPod would be empty if it weren’t for a computer… Apple isn’t moving away from computers toward music, they’re bringing music to the computer… And the same is and will be with video.
…And regarding iPods as being anti-social. That’s one of the reasons why I wear it when I’m out!…
The only people whoever approach and talk to me when I’m walking around town are either crazies or people begging for money… I can’t remember anyone ever coming up to me out of the blue and being friendly and social. In public, everyone is in their own world with or without earbuds plugged in their ears. I can tell you that if there was even a slight possibility that a hot chick with a rockin’ bod would come up and make friends with me or ask my ugly ass out… I would never wear those ear buds out in public!….
That said, I’ll be wearing those earbuds out in public.
It’s not all right to spell “all right” as “alright.”
Tell me something. Is iPod-envy much like penis-envy?
iMaki –
It’s not fair to say iPods do *nothing more* than undermine personal interaction. They also play a bunch of sweet soul music in your ears. For those of us who make a living listening to music, it makes us a heck of a lot more productive.
Apple have no need to advertize macs at the moment because they won’t be able to meet the demand that it will create.
When the processors that Apple are going to use from Intel are available IN VOLUME then and only then will advertizing be ramped up for the new MacTel machines.
Note that Apple have stopped announcing products at the major shows unless they are immediately available. That’s true for both ipods and macs.
Apple have always been screwed cos they’ve been waiting for boatloads of the “next-best thing” from the CPU supplier. I’m hoping that Intel won’t F up like IBM and Moto did, but I wouldn’t be surprised. I would rather Apple released the MacTels on current processors because at least they would have a plentiful supply. Perfrmance wise they may not be good, but at least they would be available in volume.
Ampar, Powell St station in San Francisco has also been ‘iPodded”.
For those who don’t know, Powell St station is very near Apple’s flagship store in SF… it even has an entrance/exit running up the side of the store.
Those new orangy/yellow/black advertisements look pretty cool when contrasted with the tiled white walls (esp. when you see 5 of them in a row.)
The iPod revenues are fueling the computer side of things for Apple like never before.
Apple finally has the leverage to pay for outstanding computer innovation, especially in the software area. They have the means to bring in all the best talent without limitations, which will only mean great gains for the computing side of things.
Apple always has released various products, most without great success, so if their mp3 player goes through the roof with incredible demand that you can’t blame them for running with it. I doubt they expected it to happen, but it’s been very well managed for maximum gain for the entire company endeavors.
MDN MW = “island”, as in: don’t be an earbud island.
Naah … time for the iHome, iPhone, iTV and iCamera; all with the scrollwheel and seamless integration with your Mac; not to mention the iPrint all in one, the iVibe with blueteeth that vibrate according to the track being played, the iBrush (similar but with toothpaste dispenser), the iWipe (softens and rolls first draft pages for recycling), the iDry (extends the functionality of multiple-fans in your PowerMac), and the iStress (a hanging bag with the face of Gates on one side and Ballmer on the other that rewards a good punch with a classic quote from either, thus encouraging you to go for a full workout).
There are a number of ideas here that have serious merit.
‘Apple’ is a singular company, not a plural group of things.
Stop saying “Apple have stopped…” or “Apple have no need…”
You don’t say “Ford have new models out this year”. No,
you say “Ford *has* new models out this year”.
This may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but to those of
us with little time on our hands, we don’t appreciate having to go back
and reread your poor writing just so we can try and figure out what you
really meant to say. I hate the time I waste rereading stuff I trip over
due to poor use of English. If English is not your primary language,
then forgive me. I understand and appreciate your efforts, please don’t
let my diatribe dissuade you. You folks go ahead and make a ‘best effort’.
It’s the folks that should know better that I find aggravating.
I suspect the reason Apple advertises iPods instead of Macs has more to do with their ability to manufacture units than anything else. With fewer components and suppliers, there’s less of a chance that that iPods will have the same supply problems that have plagued the Power Macs for years. Once the transition to Intel is complete, Apple should have a better ability to meet demand, and I bet they will finally start advertising Macs again.
JCW:
That’s a nice Ameri-centric rant there. It really shows off your lack of knowledge of the subject about which you speak.
Saying “Apple have” or “Microsoft do” is an example of the correct use of a collective noun and proper subject-verb agreement. This is a standard tenet of English, and only the US (and possibly Canada) ignore it. That you incorrectly assumed it was the fault of a non-native English speaker rather than someone with a mastery of the language greater than your own is deliciously ironic. Incidentally, it also exposes you as a xenophobic twit.
Please see <http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/collectivenoun.htm> for a bit more enlightment on the subject.
Abraham Lincoln said “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Perhaps you should heed his advice.
Thanks, and have a great day!
i think the iPod is a great device. i disagree with all of you.( excpet i ask the same question as “double trouble”) anyway Yes, maybe there are less computers being advertised but think about all the new opportunities that are making our lives much more efficient. wow, i sound very smart. (ish) but the point is…… that iPods are awesome because u can put on lotsa songs.