iPhone or M8? Apple's strategy revealed!

Would you get the iPhone or the miniOne M8? Think about this, Apple's strategy:

• They release their super-advanced new line of iPods;
• You buy one or more of them (fatal mistake);
• Shortly after, they announce their newer line-up (sneak attack);
• You've already bought their last one, but want the new one (they boxed you into a corner);
• They've revamped and made their new iPod commercials look like a message from God (they kicked you when you were down);
• You buy the newer iPod; (here we go...)
• You've spent around $XXX twice ("Sucker!");
• Repeat the cycle (the iPod Regeneration Cycle)

Here's what I think; even if you get the iPhone or an iPod, you'll just have to get the new one, same time next year. For example, for those who bought the iPod Touch, to bad, cause the new model will be unveiled in September. Why? What do you think?

Every generation of devices Apple produces spans somewhat of a year in timeperiod (check wikipedia), you are correct on that.

I wouldn't really call that "shortly after"; also what forces you to buy the newer-gen iPod/iTouch/iPhone? It's still the same product isn't it? Perhaps one can't control their wallet if they keep buying the newest-gen everytime.

Your so-called "Apple strategy" also somewhat applies to every single high-tech company in the world. So I don't really understand your point.
Are you disapproving of companies like Intel, Nokia, or Acer as well?

Originally Posted by DusL

Every generation of devices Apple produces spans somewhat of a year in timeperiod (check wikipedia), you are correct on that.

I wouldn't really call that "shortly after"; also what forces you to buy the newer-gen iPod/iTouch/iPhone? It's still the same product isn't it? Perhaps one can't control their wallet if they keep buying the newest-gen everytime.

Your so-called "Apple strategy" also somewhat applies to every single high-tech company in the world. So I don't really understand your point.
Are you disapproving of companies like Intel, Nokia, or Acer as well?

What do Intel, Nokia, and Acer have to do with Apple, regarding MP3 players?

Intel and Acer are from the area of computers, and Nokia of cellphones; no coonnection whatsoever with the production with MP3/MP4 players. And what forces you to buy the newer iPod is the fact that Apple gradually reduces the resources for it's previous products. And you're right it IS still the same product, only disguised with fancy features for showing off. What differences Apple from other companies is that Apple is one of the only manufacturers of MP3/MP4 players that do not release a new player, only a new model that is almost exactly the same but disguised with things like "world's thinnest MP3" or saying that this is the "new era" in MP3/MP4 players.

Publicity can sell the same product over and over again for an even higher price. That is my point. Which is why I no longer by iPods, and resort to cheaper and better MP3 players from China, like those from Meizu.

Huh, doesn't look like you understand the point of my comparison there.

The TS'ter shares some big revelation with us concerning the company strategy of Apple. My point was to show that almost every single tech-company from multiple markets use the same damn strategy; what did you think, that a company doesn't refresh it's products?
I can make the same comparison with the Sony walkman MP3 line or Archos's fifth generation MP4 players if you want.

"And what forces you to buy the newer iPod is the fact that Apple gradually reduces the resources for it's previous products."
What do you mean exactly by that? I can't imagine iTunes not working anymore on the previous-gen, just to name something.

"And you're right it IS still the same product, only disguised with fancy features for showing off."
That is a total subjective argument; Also the newest-gen iPod Classic has things like coverflow (just to name something). The nano gained video capability with the newest-gen. Also harddisk size tends to grow "a bit" with every new generation. (classic went from 80gig max to 160gig max)

Apple rarely rises the prices of their products; the newer products that replace the older ones take in the same price slots.

Listen, I'm not saying Apple is the god-company or anything. It's just that the above arguments against them don't make sense at all, and are aimed to lower the reputation of Apple and rise the reputation of Meizu.

There is not much difference in the iPod Classic and the 5G. Bigger hard drive and CoverFlow? That would normally be a revision to the 5.5G, but I guess Apple can get away with it because they're Apple. It should be 5.75G, not 6G. The iPod nano doesn't differ much from the 1st and 2nd gen nano other than a redesign and the ability to play video on a 2" screen.

The thing is, that Apple is the most famous MP3 player manufacturer...

People go in stores and ask for an iPod, they don't even know the term MP3 player!

And Apple does a really good job on making their new products public and are able to produce a big hype with a "new" MP3 player... (which is by far not the best MP3 player on the market)
People think Apple products are the best... But they aren't!

And they chain people with their damn iTunes to Apple MP3 players....

If you are interested watch this video I made a while ago.
YouTube - Apple ... Think different.


_____________________________
* When I use the term "people" here, I don't mean all people!

I think the only reason people buy Apple products are because of Peer Pressure, and Looks.

I think Apple's Marketing Team is doing a great job as brainwashing kids.

i agree, they are really good

i agree with DusL, the strategy apple use is a standard strategy most electronic companies apply.

Originally Posted by SourceAdmin

Would you get the iPhone or the miniOne M8? Think about this, Apple's strategy:

• They release their super-advanced new line of iPods;
• You buy one or more of them (fatal mistake);
• Shortly after, they announce their newer line-up (sneak attack);
• You've already bought their last one, but want the new one (they boxed you into a corner);
• They've revamped and made their new iPod commercials look like a message from God (they kicked you when you were down);
• You buy the newer iPod; (here we go...)
• You've spent around $XXX twice ("Sucker!");
• Repeat the cycle (the iPod Regeneration Cycle)

Here's what I think; even if you get the iPhone or an iPod, you'll just have to get the new one, same time next year. For example, for those who bought the iPod Touch, to bad, cause the new model will be unveiled in September. Why? What do you think?

mmmm, thats gonna happen with any product. You buy a new CPU 5 months later a new one comes out and it becomes the S### to have and you are temped or you decide to buy that. I mean it's a cycle that continues going around, and if they're making them better why not. It's not as if your upgrading to the same thing, it's your decision.

Or are you trying to say about what they did with the old iPhone and then going to the new one? Meh, there is a big delay and i think a 3g iPhone was required. The iPhone is not sold with any company in Australia because it doesn't have 3G. So really if they wanna get into the Australian market (and not just ebay) then they need 3G + since the original other improvements can be made.

Sorry but i really just don't get what your on about...Any company continues to constantly create new products, i don't really think we're at a loss. Most people lose interest with their current items, if you don't update to Apple's new iPhone or iPod you will update to somebody elses (not everybody will because not everybody will decide to upgrade).

Originally Posted by SteveMB93

What do Intel, Nokia, and Acer have to do with Apple, regarding MP3 players?

They all have similair marketing stratergies. Pretty much any big business will do exactly what Apple is doing (well in the electronics and technology department anyway).

Originally Posted by Skinny101

They all have similair marketing stratergies. Pretty much any big business will do exactly what Apple is doing (well in the electronics and technology department anyway).

Not sure if you can compare those companies, they're not all in the MP3 market.

Originally Posted by SteveMB93

Not sure if you can compare those companies, they're not all in the MP3 market.

Doesn't have to be. It's electrical technology, MP3's are advancing just as quickly as anything else (just take a look from the iPod Video to the iPod Touch, not even a 2 year gap), same with an Intel Processor or a Nokia mobile phone. Two years ago a Pentium 4 was the thing to have, now it's the Core 2 Duo. This constant arrival of new products/models/versions is the same for many brands across different industries.

Thank god somebody agrees with me.

I knew this would be a though topic, it being on a Meizu fanforum, from the beginning though :D

Originally Posted by SourceAdmin

Would you get the iPhone or the miniOne M8? Think about this, Apple's strategy:

• They release their super-advanced new line of iPods;
• You buy one or more of them (fatal mistake);
• Shortly after, they announce their newer line-up (sneak attack);
• You've already bought their last one, but want the new one (they boxed you into a corner);
• They've revamped and made their new iPod commercials look like a message from God (they kicked you when you were down);
• You buy the newer iPod; (here we go...)
• You've spent around $XXX twice ("Sucker!");
• Repeat the cycle (the iPod Regeneration Cycle)

Here's what I think; even if you get the iPhone or an iPod, you'll just have to get the new one, same time next year. For example, for those who bought the iPod Touch, to bad, cause the new model will be unveiled in September. Why? What do you think?

I think this applies only to their mp3 players. I also think that people buy Apple computers because they will last for a long, long time. Even people who bought their Powerbooks a couple of years ago are able to upgrade to Leopard. I'm considering buying a refurbished prev gen Macbook Pro and I know that it will be enough for me for 5 or more years and I'm sure that after all these years it will be supported by Apple's newest cutting edge Mac OS X release.
BTW I know people who still use their 4 gen iPod's because they don't care about anything but music.

I agree with you guys, That they almost "Brainwash" the customers , But still , No-one can pull off a product like apple. And also you must give them credit, the iPhone's GUI is amazing.

I do not regret buying my iPod touch atall. Although I cannot wait for the release of the M8.

yeah I have to agree with DusL too, Apples stratregy is very similar to many mp3 player manafacturers and electronic companies. The difference is Apple are such a huge influential corporation that they have unbeliavblely high advertising revenues and through these revenues coupled with eye catching design and clever marketing techniques and ad campaigns are very good at focusing on the supposedly 'revolutionary' advantages and features of their new products and deflecting attention from their products' shortcomings.

There are very few marketing machines in the world that can do a product launch like apple and create so much hype around thier products. It's like any product you buy though, there is always going to be a new version a year or less later, you are just unlucky if they release one very soon after you brought yours. Apple are quite quick though with small product updates like capacity updates (e.g dropping the 4gb iphone, introducing the 32gb itouch, introducing the 16gb iphone) but that is how they stay ahead of the competition. At the end of the day if you buy a product it will still do all the things you wanted it to do when you first brought it.

But as technology progresses companies will obviously improve things and include new innovations. However while companies like intel for example will release new processors that are actually better and more efficient at what they do (faster, less power consumption etc) companies also create false needs and features to attract customers (e.g cover flow - do you really NEED this?). This is obviolusly the simple logistics of how consumer technology works.

You also have to remember that people who choose to do their research and have a deeper interest in tech like Mp3 players will not get sucked in by the marketing as they know what certain devices are capable of and will buy the one that fits their needs perfectly and has all the advanced features they are looking for. Lets not forget Ipods are generally marketed to the general public (who aren't necessrily tech savvy and often just want something nice looking that is easy to use) and not at tech geeks.

-Apple products work.
-They are very easy to use.
-They offer an easy, seamlessly integrated platform to watch/buy/play/etc.
-There are a billion things to buy to accessorize the player.
-There are another million things to buy to turn it into a home/office/car entertainment unit.

It's brilliant really: an aspirational product that functions at the lowest common denominator.

Originally Posted by chengdude

-Apple products work.
-They are very easy to use.
-They offer an easy, seamlessly integrated platform to watch/buy/play/etc.
-There are a billion things to buy to accessorize the player.
-There are another million things to buy to turn it into a home/office/car entertainment unit.

It's brilliant really: an aspirational product that functions at the lowest common denominator.

"Apple products just work" I think we've heard that before, and all that phrase is is a load of BS. You have to hack the iPhone to actually make it what "it is".