“For music lovers and gadget geeks, Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod portable music player has long been a must-have accessory. But now, some of Apple’s most loyal customers are finding that one iPod just isn’t enough,” Allison Linn writes for MSNBC.
Linn writes, “It’s hard to say how many multiple iPod users are out there. A spokeswoman for Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple said the company doesn’t have any public data on how many people regularly use more than one iPod, and several analysts also said it was too early to track such usage. But analysts say there is anecdotal evidence showing that, as Apple has rolled out more and more iPod models, it has drawn in more repeat customers.”
“‘Since we are seeing the devices themselves take on different functions related to form, it’s not surprising that people would be buying more than one,’ said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Jupiter Research. With iPods now available in a wide array of sizes, prices and even colors, Gartenberg noted that in some ways the devices even seem to be designed to encourage users to acquire two or even three,” Linn writes.
Linn writes, “The small nano, for example, is popular for exercising, especially when paired with specialized accessories. Meanwhile, the hip, low-priced shuffle, which can be clipped to a jacket lapel, is becoming somewhat of a fashion statement, Gartenberg said. And the bigger, pricier iPods that feature video screens might appeal to users when they want to access a larger library of songs, or watch movies.”
Full article here.
iPod nano for gym/running, iPod for trips/commutes with music and video, iPod shuffle… just because. Do you have multiple iPods, too? If so, which iPod do you use for certain activities?
Since buying an 80GB Video, my 4GB nano lives in my Logik iPod alarm clock. Sometimes if I bolt around london I take it just in case anything happens or I get mugged…
I love the idea of having a shuffle for just mooching about when you dont want to carry anything with you.
Never underestimate the power of the blind loyal Mac Nut to buy more than he needs.
Our family’s iPod collection:
My iPods:
1. 60 GB 4g iPod for the car
2. 60 GB 5g iPod Video to take on business trips
3. 8 GB Red Nano for exercising
Wifes:
1. 40 GB 4g iPod for around the house
2. 80 GB 5g iPod Video coming up
Son:
1. 4g iPod (not sure what size)
Daughter 1:
1. 30 GB 5g iPod video
Daughter 2:
1. 4 GB iPod Mini
MDN: specific – I hope I was specific enough
This is exactly the argument I used 2 years ago when people predicted a slowdown in iPod sales due to market saturation. Don’t assume one person = one iPod. And, we aren’t even close to saturation, either.
60gb ipod video for everyday use
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ipod mini 4gb in my car
“Never underestimate the power of the blind loyal Mac Nut to buy more than he needs.”
It’s not about being blind, loyal or a Mac nut, it’s about being a glutton for comfort and convenience. AKA an American.
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Mine are:
A 30 Gig 3rd generation iPod which now permanantly lives in the car with a Dension IceLink.
This is pretty much full with about 2/3rds of my music library.
1st generation Shuffle which was used for the gym/daily commute on the Tube (Subway, for our Colonial cousins) and for snowboarding and the like.
A 2nd gen Shuttle to replace the 1st gen Shuffle.
Main ipod (now an old 40G model possibly to be upgraded by Santa) lives in my car. Full library there.
Plan to add at least a shuffle for walking around town.
I spend a lot of time in coffee houses. And there, the #1 competitor to ipod is… iTunes running on a laptop. Makes me realize that the REAL key battle for Apple is to get users to keep their music in iTunes. They might not buy an mp3 player or digitial downloads today, but if you’re using iTunes seriously, guess where you’re going to go when yo do purchase such things.
It’s not evil lockin, it’s just convenience and inertia.
And, of course, being in the iTunes universe enables MULTIPLE ipods…
2/3 of my library on a 40 gig G3 in the car.
Old 1 gig shuffle that cycles through my moldy oldies for my daily walks.
New 1 gig shuffle that cycles through my newer tunes for wearing while I work.
3 more new shuffles, a G1 nano and a mini used by my immediate family. The shuffles for the gym and the other 2 used in the car and at school.
There is room for 3 iPods in my life…
iPod 60Gb for every day listening to my music collection, and for travelling. iPod shuffle on order for exercising. iPod Nano earmarked for the car (when the red ones become available in Sydney).
Me:
3G iPod for hard disk use
iPod Photo for music and photos on holidays
5G iPod for movies and music videos
1G Nano for bedroom stereo
2G Nano when I’m wearing a suit
1G Shuffle for roller blading
2G Shuffle for gym
Partner:
1G shuffle for the car
1G Nano for the ironing
Son:
3G iPod for music
5G iPod for movies
Daughter
Mini for travelling on train
1G Nano for everything else
And I bought all of them. Can’t wait for the touchscreen video
Oh, and I forgot the computers: 3 iMacs, 1 Mac mini, 1 powerbook, 1 iBook, 1 MacBook – all in active use. A MacBook Pro is on my list for the New Year.
I have 4 iPods. Hoping to get my 5th for XMAS and will get an iPod/phone, if they ever release one.
http://www.BitchRepublic.net
My iPod collection (I’m like a proud father…
1st Gen iPod 5 GB — Non-working, but a great desk ornament
1st Gen 5 GB — More a collector’s item than fully-functioning iPod
2nd Gen 10 GB — One of the best of the bunch IMHO
3rd Gen 40 GB — Actually my favorite iPod
4th Gen 20 GB — The last great music-only player
4th Gen Color Screen U2 20 GB — Still gimmicky, but a good ‘Pod
5th Gen 60 GB — my “iTV” until the real thing hits
1st Gen Mini 4GB Pink — The best click wheel ever made
2nd Gen Mini 4 GB Green — The first iPod I ever bought <sniff>
1st Gen Nano 4 GB White — A legitimate “museum piece.” My daily driver
2nd Gen Nano 4 GB Pink — My wife’s daily driver
1st Gen Shuffle 512 MB — I bought it from a vending machine at the airport!
2nd Gen Shuffle 1 GB — Sadly, my least favorite iPod
I’m hoping Santa leaves a 2nd Gen Nano 8 GB Black under the tree. It would be my new daily driver.
3rd Gen iPod with weak battery that sits attached to the stereo and doesn’t leave the house. 5th Gen iPod for commutes and travel. Shuffle for exercise. It’s all good.
I have a 2G iPod 20GB that I have MaxOSX Tiger installed on and since it is firewire friendly I can boot a Mac from it and diagnos any problems and run utilities that are also installed on the iPod. I have songs on it tooo so I can rock out while working on the sick Mac. I also use it to transport work files between home and work.
I have a 1G 4GB iPod nano that I keep in a waterproof cased with waterproof headphones that I use when I go jet skiing or snorkeling.
I have a 2G Red 8GB iPod nano thta I use for running (with Nike + Sport Kit), when I ride my motorcycle on the street or the dirt, when I ride my snowmobile in the winter, and when I’m out doing yard work.
I have a 4G 60GB iPod Photo that I keep hooked up to an interface in my car that allows me to control it from the steering wheel, the head unnit, or the iPod itself. I primarily use it for audiobooks on my commute to work, or when I travel on trips. I also keep my entire iPhoto library on it. I keep my Address Book on all my iPods so I’ll always have the numbers handy.
I have a 5G 60GB iPod that I use to watch movies and TV shows that I rip with Handbrake or capture using my EyeTV 500 DVR, to watch movies using the A/V cable on any TV in a hotel/motel room, a friends house, a party, etc.
I’ve owned at least one iPod from every generation and they’re all great! People thought I was crazy for shelling out $300+ on a 5GB MP3 player back in 2001. They all laughed at me. Who’s laughing now?!
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3G 20GB white – gave to my friend after being well used (got it used from eBay)
4G 20GB U2 – need to fix the click wheel, otherwise good (got it for Xmas 04)
5G 60GB white – still use every day for videos, TV, audiobooks, podcasts, music and recording audio! (got Xmas 05)
1G 512MB Shuffle – lent to a friend (permanently, I think)
2G 1GB Shuffle – love to use this at work or while shopping, for audiobooks and podcasts
I did, but I sold the 1gen Shuffle to a friend. Currently waiting for widescreen iPod.
1G Shuffle – Handed down to my 9 year old son
2G Shuffle – Gym
2G Nano – Car
5G 30GB Video – Flights
2.0Ghz MacBook for traveling
2Ghz iMac for home
1.3Ghz iBook for the wife
1.5Ghz PowerBook in reserve!
Me:
1st gen shuffle (short trips in the car, now passed down to 7 year old son)
1st gen mini (car trips and while around the house)
4th gen color (for use at work and when I want to show pics)
5th gen video (for airplane trips and when I’ll have time to watch vids)
Wife:
1st gen mini (for general around-the-house use)
1st gen nano (for use at work)
6th gen video (just got today for Christmas, should replace the nano at work)
I want a 2nd gen shuffle so bad I can taste it. We went to the Apple Store at the Houston Galleria today (for wife’s new iPod) and they had them all lined up and waiting for the clamoring hordes.
At Target last night, I talked an old women out of getting her grandson a Zune. That kid will never know how close he came to such disappointment.
It was my good deed for the day.
~M
PS- Last Christmas, I was the only one at work who had an iPod (or a Mac). This Christmas, there are half a dozen iPods (not to mention the ones owned by the family members of co-workers) and 3 Macs (plus, I bought a new iMac and and an “Ultimate White” MacBook for the wife this year. I can attest that whatever Apple does to make you want more products must work.
I think they just make them amazingly useful.