Sidenotes from today’s Apple event
Yes, the wifi equipped iPod Touch is finally here. With it comes a drastic price drop for the 8gb iPhone ($200 less), as well as the discontinuation of the 4gb iPhone model (which is available from Apple “while supplies last” for only $299, which is incredible.)
We also have all new Nanos that play video, new colors for the shuffle, redesigned “iPod classics” (formerly just “iPods”) with much higher capacity at the same price, and so on and so forth.
We have a nice list of new things to be excited about, but you can get all that juicy info either from Apple, or from the 10,000 blogs and news sites around the web that will surely be abuzz. I’m more interested in some of the random side issues that these announcements bring up, and other little distractions and possibilities:
1. Where’s the White?
Apple has been known for their white computers and accessories for a long time now, but very recently they’ve nearly completely abandoned the iconic white in favor, mostly, for aluminum.
The most recent iMac was moved from white to glass and aluminum, and so now follows the iPod (classic). At this point, not a single iPod in the entire current lineup can be purchased in white. What does that leave us? The only significant products i could find still sporting the iconic white are:
- the Macbook (which is the only computer, so arguably the only really significant product.)
- the Airport Extreme
- some cables, adapters, and headphones
Is this the end of Apple’s iconic white devices?
2. iPod Touch phone?
It occurs to me that some intrepid hackers (and hardware producers) could in theory allow me to make calls with my ipod Touch.
Think about it. What are we missing? a microphone, speaker, and wireless connectivity technology. A little bit of software hacking (okay, probably a lot of hacking) and a mic/speaker/bluetooth dongle that plugs into the iPod, and i’m making calls with my bluetooth-enabled Sprint phone in my pocket, using the iPod Touch as a very fancy bluetooth headset.
I know, i’m being silly. Just let me have my fantasy. The reality is that a full-fledged iPhone – one that makes calls, uses Google Maps, and does all those fancypants iPhone things that the iPod Touch does not do, is now only $100 more for the same size, or, the same price for half the memory, depending on how you look at it. Who would go through all the trouble to make the iPod Touch a crazy bluetooth remote interface for a phone? Still, an interesting idea.
3. Games? Applications? Bueller?
The iPod Nano now comes with 3 games. The iPod Classic can download games from the iTunes Store. Will all of the iPod games be incompatible with the iPod Touch? maybe the iPod Touch could emulate the iPod Classic with an on-screen wheel, and play the same games… or will the iPod Touch simply not play games at all?
If, in fact, Apple made games for the iPod Touch (specifically, or even just let them play iPod Classic games) then technically there would be an Apple sanctioned way to get third party applications onto the iPod Touch, which would make it seem silly to not then do the same for iPhones. (There would still be that “Network Stability” excuse, and while maybe valid, that would be pretty weak.)
My guess is that Apple will just have games for iPods with Clickwheels, and nothing for the iPod Touch until they get some sort of SDK out for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Maybe the next WWDC?
4. iPhone versus iPod Touch
So, the iPod Touch 8gb costs $100 less than an iPhone with the same 8gb. What exactly does the extra $100 get you in the iPhone that you won’t get in the iPod Touch?
The iPhone has, the iPod Touch has not:
On the hardware side of things:
- GSM Technology which give you the ability to make calls and use Visual Voicemail, etc.
- EDGE Technology for internet connectivity when out of range of wifi. (slow as it may be.)
- Bluetooth connectivity (Sorry, no Bluetooth headphones for the iPod Touch without an adapter.)
- Built-in Camera (low res as it may be)
- Proximity Sensor
- Speaker and Microphone
- Larger form factor (the iPhone is 5mm taller, about the same width, 3.6mm thicker, and weighs an extra 15 grams.)
And on the software side, things that could possibly be addressed in a software update:
- Google Maps (…though the iPod Touch would need to cache the entire trip, and any deviations from the trip wouldn’t be available.)
- Functions like: text messaging, stocks, weather, and notes.
Let’s not forget about these:
- 2 year AT&T contract
- Monthly service bills
- Must be activated before it’s useful
- Slightly better battery estimates
So i suppose there is a significant difference between the iPhone and the iPod Touch, and though i’m sure iSuppli may remind us all that the raw materials don’t quite add up to $100, there are real, tangible differences to consider between either of these devices.
Final Thoughts
Lovely event Apple put on today. Strong lineup for the holiday season. I feel bad for my buddy who just got his 4gb iPhone 3 weeks ago, for $200 more than what the discontinued model is going for today. …sure didn’t see that coming. A 40% price drop in the first 3 months of a product (one that’s selling fantastically well already) is, as far as i know, just unheard of. (I think now i’m really starting to see what Apple meant by “lower-margin product transitions”)
Why Apple’s stock dropped over $8 from opening this morning to 3 hours after the event, i have absolutely no idea. It makes no sense whatsoever to me. Doesn’t matter. By January they’ll be at $170.