iPod Shuffles: they are giving them away

Apple has announced that it is flogging iPod Shuffles for £32, effectively almost giving them away.

Apple has announced that it is flogging iPod Shuffles for £32, effectively almost giving them away.

This is a well-known technique for turning the whole world into iPod users, based on what is known as 'versioning'.

Versioning is the well-known business practice of having a number of levels at which customers can buy in at. Three is normal but this model is so successful that it often increases to 5,6 or 7 versions.

The technique plays on basic psychology that is summed up by the shampoo ad that tells you 'You are worth it'.

Apple ensures that its top range iPod is the sexiest thing since mobile music began and then sets about luring in new punters by selling them cheapo versions, knowing full well that their personal self-image will drive them onto the most expensive version just as soon as they can afford it along the lines of:

"I own an Shuffle, but really I'm more an iPod Touch kind of person."

Apple knows there is an opportunity cost for a new buyer. Namely the hassle and risk of learning to use the hardware and the software. It also knows that it is better to get the buyer over this hurdle at low cost. That way there is little extra effort when they trade ever upward.

Source: http://chiswickken.typepad.com/ringtone/2008/02/ipod-shuffles-t.html


Related blog articles:

iPod through Sirius Dock?

mobileLife: “Game of Life” for iPhone/iPod touch

iPods Canada: Huge iPod Shuffle Price Drops



Related articles on the web:

...Finally, HD DVD users now have the empirical evidence they've been looking for to prove that the universe really is conspiring against them. We figured we'd make ourselves useful over here and give you a list of things you can do with ...
http://www.mutualrecognition.org/2008/02/technology-news-on-feb-19.html

...Free Vector Pack 9 Sampler. Go media is at it again hammering out another high quality vector graphic pack. And to announce the release they are giving away a sampler pack. Visit Download Site ...
http://psdtuts.com/web/best-of-the-web-january/

...How about a fantastic iPod Shuffle this Valentines Day?! Give your loved one the chance to clip on the world's most wearable music player, not to mention the most stylish! You can load up to 240 of your favourite songs to take around ...
http://www.affiliates4u.com/forums/paid-results/72047-redsave-valentines-newsletter-fantastic-iphone-competition.html

...This is how they are getting so many customers at once and are able to claim their numbers. But are they properly retaining them? And shouldn’t they be giving away something more useful than an iPod? Such as more personal service or ...
http://kaylafleming.com/2008/01/23/no-more-ipods-please/

...One of them eyed my iPod, but when I smiled at him, he turned away, as if I'd somehow offended him. I sighed, and looked at my watch for what must've been the billionth time that day. It was still just 6pm. ...
http://mandakinisaroop.blogspot.com/2008/02/german-adventure-part-i.html

...I also bought some tulips to give away with the flowers (the idea being they'd be dead by the time the people found them, making it, I dunno, ironic). So I went to Safeway and got three bunches of 10, white, red, and pink. ...
http://www.thelobotomistsdream.com/2008/02/scenes-from-valentines-eve.html

...They breathed in unison, deep and needful, lost in each other’s desires. He ignored the small voice in the back of his head as he tugged at her pants, sliding them slowly off her hips. Giving in to his silent urge, she pushed herself up ...
http://community.livejournal.com/jmayer_fanfic/1462404.html

...Is there a specific format the video clips have to be in to be able to watch and edit them on another computer? When the video files were automatically saved they were giving a name and then .avi at the end? ...
http://video-search-engine-live.blogspot.com/2008/02/open-question-why-wont-my-computer.html

...When choosing the songs for this list, I had to whittle down the 356 songs of hers on my iPod to a mere 25. I don’t make the claim that these are Emmylou’s best songs by any objective standard. I’m not sure such a standard even exists. ...
http://countryuniverse.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/favorite-songs-by-favorite-artists-emmylou-harris-3/

...They could only give us a 30 minute slot on Friday mornings, but I´m hoping once we build some street cred and everyone wants to listen to the Nortes, then we can get more airtime. But we´ll see! I guess I went on a date Sunday? ...
http://paraguaysmellslikecurry.blogspot.com/2008/02/updatei.html