thegenerationofipod
It's interesting now, thinking of it, that Apple could change their marketing strategy so throughly that it would place an Apple product, which traditionally were solely personal computers, as the music medium of choice of our generation.
The last two decades had been characterised by Sony products... in the 90s it was the Discman, and the 80s, the Walkman. Both enjoyed widespread success... everyone, eventually, got one... or lusted after one. They were supposed to do it again this decade, start off the millenium with a whole line of 'trendy' minidisc players.
But now... halfway through this decade (halfway already, can you believe it?) this is obviously not the case.
Everyone owns an iPod, or wants one. An Apple product, as I said. I still remember when students cursed Apple for their terrible compatibility issues (while that was actually strictly Microsoft's fault, in my opinion). Now everyone wants and iPod, and subsequently... everyone who's anyone wants to grab themselves a whole smackload of Mac gear and be the trendiest in their building.
Not to say Apple doesn't deserve it, their products are magnificently made.
It's just interesting, how we've shifted. Apple is experiencing a boom in all their product lines, thanks to their success with the iPod. With one product, they just simply pushed Sony out of the music market...
And don't think it's not going to make Sony's revenue drop. Sony did bring us the 3/4" videocassete... the walkman... the discman... but they'll likely go the same route as RCA and the 8-track... or Pioneer with the Laserdisc.
And unless their other 'vice' industries start making some more cash (which they may, with EverQuest... though I highly doubt a videogame, no matter how addictive, could bring in that much revenue) Sooner or later they'll just fade into myth along with Decca, MGM, Capitol, Mercury, and MGM.
The technology industry, after all, exists as a vehicle to bring us new mediums of enjoyment and new ways to make it easier to access. If you lose your hold on the lead in that industry...
Where can you possibly go from there but down?
Time for me to get an hour or two of sleep.
Comments
I don't see the exact craze over the iPod. They're not exactly great - my friend has one, and there isn't anything special about it. Atleast, not special enough for me to push out the money for one.
Posted by: Eros | March 13, 2005 03:43 PM
It's a fashion statement, really. The Discman wasn't the only CD-Player, but it was a statement to have a the real deal from SONY.
They're great though. I've had mine for a year or so now, it has never given my any trouble. The third-party support is superior to any other MP3 player too, so there's a lot of crazy software for it that you can get to do all sorts of wonderful things.
Posted by: JohannK | March 15, 2005 03:01 AM