There are a lot of users who, in the past, wouldn't consider switching to a Mac because they need applications that don't run on a Mac. |
There are promising alternatives. But there need to be integrated marketing efforts, (instead of) requiring the customer to put the package together. |
There might not be a lot of demand among current iPod users, but the real attraction will be among those who don't have the music players but want to try digital audio. |
There's been a lot of speculation about the iPod phone, which represents a trend toward providing handhelds with digital-content playback capabilities. |
These devices do a lot, but the message gets muddled. What are they for? The big challenge is to create a reason to watch video on a tiny screen. |
This also helps DirecTV. XM has established a pretty good brand out there, but XM certainly has more to gain out of this relationship. |
This is a service targeted at a device that millions of people are buying, and the mobile phone is a good vector for audio, but manufacturers and carriers still have to convince consumers that the phones are not just communications devices. |
This is some low-hanging fruit. Apple tried to sell the lack of a screen as a feature with the Shuffle, so the Shuffle is easy to compete against. But you have to look at the whole environment. Apple's iPods are doing fabulous and their online music store, iTunes, is No. 1. |
This type of content is now driving sales, and Apple is leading the way in media consumption. |
This will give a larger subscriber base a chance to try XM content without going through the hassle of getting the necessary equipment. If they find the programming valuable, it would be a lot easier to sign them up. The added distribution that XM will get from this relationship will be very beneficial. |
Those who are serious about the latest high-definition games need more power, but until the manufacturers add capabilities for playing next-generation, high-definition video, it remains a niche market. |
Transformational ideas like the Walkman are hard to come by these days, |
Transformational ideas like the Walkman are hard to come by these days. |
Using the audio player will not diminish its capabilities. It's not a realistic concern when using flash-based phones. |
Video was inevitable in digital audio players; to actually build the consumer demand portion of that, there really needs to be compelling content. What's promising is that you have one of the biggest content companies in the world willing to experiment with this. But I'm doubtful it will appeal (right now). What will be more compelling is $10 for a whole season. But with Apple and Disney talking, it brings the ability for innovative distribution deals to come to light. |