In Defense of Apple&#039;s Announcments

Apple doesn't need me to defend them, and this post isn't going to be a typical Apple fanboy defense. Some of my fellow bloggers (namely Jan, Damien, and C.K.) were unimpressed by the mini-Stevenote yesterday, and I was right there with them. Now, after taking some time to digest just what was introduced I am far from disappointed (though I won't be getting a $99 iPod case).

If you take at face value the products announced yesterday no doubt you would be bummed that there wasn't more 'stuff,' even though Apple never claimed that this was going to be a boffo announcement. However, if you look at the story that the products tell, then things begin to make a little more sense.

As I see it Apple was telling two stories yesterday: Intel and iPod accessories. Let's looks at each of them in turn.

The Switch to Intel

As of yesterday, as Steve pointed out, 50% of Apple's computer product line has made the transition to Intel, and in less than 60 days. This is amazing, and I am quite puzzled by people who say, 'Well the new Mac mini isn't that much different.' It has an Intel chip in it, for goodness sake.

Part of the blame for this attitude towards the switch can be attributed to Apple's great handling of it. They have made a conscious decision not to introduce new styles of Macs to mark the Intel transition. What does this mean? If you put an Intel Mac mini next to a Power PC Mac mini most people won't be able to tell the difference (though the IR port is a dead give away). Why do this? Because the manufacturer of the chip shouldn't matter to the everyday user. A Mac is a Mac whether it is running on a G5, a Core Duo, or a Dorito. However, by making this transition look so easy (when in fact it isn't from an engineering point of view) Apple is encouraging people to say, 'WHAT?! Nothing is new with the Mac mini... well other than Front Row and a complete change in system architecture.. but other than that nothing!'

The big yawn that the Intel Mac mini produced (unjustly I think) just proves that Apple is managing the Intel transition much better than anyone thought possible.

Apple's entry into the iPod economy

The iPod Hi-Fi is less of a product and more a signal to the Belkins and the Griffin Technologies of the world. Apple is saying, "There is a billion dollar iPod economy out there that we created and we want a piece of the action.' If I were in charge of iPod products for any third party company I would be very nervous about this.

This serious interest in iPod accessories was, of course, first seen at Macworld were Apple announced their new remote control/radio receiver for the iPod. That product, and the Hi-Fi, take advantage of Apple's control over the iPod to make interaction between the iPod and the accessory exceedingly smooth. With a software update Apple added a special menu item for the Hi-Fi on every iPod that is compatible with the product (and that has a screen). No other vendor can assure that their products will work as well with the iPod, and I am sure they aren't happy about it.

I expect to see more iPod accessories from Apple in the coming months, and I expect that they will sell well (based on the fact that Apple is making them and not some company the average Joe may not have heard of) and they will make Apple a tidy sum of money.

Conclusion

So, as you can see, even though there wasn't an iPod video with touch screen controls, or feature length films in iTunes, this announcement certainly was interesting.

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Analysis / Opinion iPod Family Other Events Mac mini

Apple doesn't need me to defend them, and this post isn't going to be a typical Apple fanboy defense. Some of my fellow bloggers (namely...

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Jack Foster Mancilla

Regarding the HiFi-Pod.

I think an important segment of possible purchasers has been overlooked.

The next incarnation should have a built in AirPort Express basestation, so that it could extend your network, as well as receive broadcasts through iTunes directly.

Jack

March 02 2006 at 12:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jamie

This is what I'm talking about:

"Also missinggiven that Apple is pushing the Hi-Fi as part of your home entertainment systemis a video-out port that would allow you to view your iPod-hosted photos and videos on your TV."

http://playlistmag.com/features/2006/03/ipodhififl/index.php

March 01 2006 at 11:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

shrimp

Jamie, the iPod Hi-fi is not meant as a "dock" as you say. It's meant as a home stereo replacement. Do home stereos have s-video out? I think not.

March 01 2006 at 4:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jamie

LD,

Thanks, but I meant s-video out on the Hi-Fi, such as on the Universal Dock. Why shouldn't this "dock" have the same capabilities as that one?

March 01 2006 at 3:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Why is this considered a price increase by so many? Are you truly that blind/stupid to realize it's not?

Think of cars. Take a low-end Mustang vs. a Mustang Cobra. If a new model comes out that is the new Mustang Cobra at the same price, only it's faster and has more options, how is that a price increase over the previous model?

It's not. You'd compare it like to like, that is Cobra to Cobra. You wouldn't compare it to the low-end and say it's a price increase because that doesn't make sense. You'd comapre it to the Cobra, say it's a performance increase at the same price.

March 01 2006 at 3:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Greg

I agree with most of the analysis overall: the announcement was never hyped to be the kind of innovative, ground-shaking event that most of the Apple rumor-sites and general media outlets wanted it to be. The key of the keynote really did seem to be "look at how quickly and smoothly we're transititioning to this new and different technology" and not "look at these highly original, cheap, radically new products that have everything you ever wanted in an Ipod accessory/HTPC etc etc etc".

My only "disappointment" was the dropping of the sub-$500 mini, but honestly, I ended up spending more than $500 on my G4 mini to bring the thing closer in-line to the specs I really wanted anyway.

March 01 2006 at 3:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

shrimp

"To release two overpriced iPod accessories and a predictable iteration of the mini you don't need to make Steve go into keynote-mode. " -- Pablo

Well, Steve Jobs didn't go into "keynote-mode" .. if you watch the videos on CNet, it's a very laid-back event ... it's like Steve Jobs is just having a nice conversation with the medai, albiet one sided.

I think the Minis got a good upgrade, true it was predictable, but it was good. 100 more for the features added is a very good price. The Core processors aren't cheap, and the WiFi and Bluetooth alone would have been +100 in the last Mini. Although I think that they should release another mini at 499 to keep that low end, it's not really all that bad. The graphics chip was a good choice in the mini, it was meant for HD video, which is what the Mini should excell at.

March 01 2006 at 2:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Pablo

I'm sorry but these "analyses" of things "beneath the surface" of yesterday's announcements are as lame as the event itself. To release two overpriced iPod accessories and a predictable iteration of the mini you don't need to make Steve go into keynote-mode. Just post it on Apple's website and issue a note to the press. That's the whole point. The fact that you have to get into heuristics to actually make some sense out of the new products is an indication that they dropped the ball on this one. Period.

March 01 2006 at 2:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jim

yawn

You are truly a blind Mac fanatic if you believe you can defend what Apple introd yesterday.

The mini costs at least $100 too much. That price increase is just ludicrous. Where is the value in it now? Maybe to a few there is but overall if the price remains high, look for sales to drop off after they get their sales from the "gotta have it" group.

The hi-fi thing is a joke. I'm shocked they released it in that form-factor. The price is rediculous as well. If the ipod is going to be the centerpiece, then surround it with worthwhile products of value.

The signal to Griffin and Belkin is more about them getting a good laugh out of it. The accesory market was already there. They don't need any signals from Apple to get their ass in gear. Apple needs to get theirs in gear.

As for the cases...what the hell were they thinking. They're horrible cases and anywhere from $40-$60 overpriced.

The only positive I can get out of this is that I'm hoping they raised the price on the mini so that there was room for something else to go under it like the mystical pvr/dvr.

March 01 2006 at 2:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

shrimp

*Applause*

Good post Scott. It's nice to know that at least one TUAW blogger isn't a whiney pessimist.

March 01 2006 at 2:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply