iPod Archive

Macy’s department stores is announcing that they will be pushing out their electronics vending machines nearly chain-wide. They have been testing the machines in a few stores over the past year and apparently they have done very well. I’ve seen these machines in a variety of airports over the past couple of years as well. 

Macy’s says the machines are loaded with, "products including iPods (Touch, Classic, Nano and Shuffle); Canon 7MP and 8MP digital cameras; Samsung 7MP digital camera and 1GB Camcorder; MyVu Personal Media Viewers; Sony, V-MODA, Bang and Olufsen and Harman Kardon headphones; and mobile accessories by Belkin. Products range from $14.99 to $349.99." My guess is that pricing is list and isn’t discounted like most online merchants – but for impulse purchases, price is usually not a factor.

Returns appear to be handled by mail – no returns in-store. It also looks like there’s no customer service or ability to play with the device before purchase. Of course with most customer service going down the drain, does it even matter anymore?

These machines are the new gum and candy rack at the checkout. "I wasn’t thinking of buying a new iPod today but it’s right there, why not pick one up?" And since it’s a pain in the arse to return, I’ll just keep it.

I am still waiting for these machines to show up at Starbucks to deliver your beverage – just enter what you want and it sends it right out to you – I get that Starbucks is supposed to be the classy and high-end coffee shop, but we all know that image is gone.

Update: These machines would have even more of a chance of succeeding if they the products came charged – buy an iPod and it’s ready to go immediately. Or a camcorder, etc. – that would be killer.

Earlier this year we reviewed PimpMyNews which allows you to create an audio feed of your favorite feeds. Another new startup has entered the text-to-audio feed space, BlogBard.

BlogBard lets you pull in your feeds from Google Reader and Bloglines and then listen to them live. You can also select to create a downloadable iTunes version.

I am a fan of these audio services as they allow you to multi-task. With the computerized voice basically getting everything right in my tests, these tools could help bring something new to the feed game.

Both PimpMyNews and BlogBard could be huge hits if they could figure out a way to record the author’s voice and use that instead of the computerized voice. While the computerized voice is much better than it has ever been, using the author’s voice would simply rock.

The only question I have is: If these services are monetizing my content, shouldn’t I receive a cut?

Update: BlogBard provided the following regarding their business model, “Our service(both the widget and the destination site) are ad-free(we are not monetizing it). We will be offering rev. share to the content creater once we figure out a way to monetize our service.”

Here is the live BlogBard widget:

With some suggesting that Apple iPod sales are leveling off, Apple has decided to double the affiliate commissions on iPod sales. The payout is now 2% on iPod sales for the month of February and doubles again to 4% if the affiliate meets certain levels of sales volume.

The question is whether another $1 average per iPod will make affiliates want to push the iPod more. Considering that Amazon charges no tax, pays better commissions and that everyone has an Amazon account, Apple should have increased the commission way higher to get affiliates excited. 

I am curious, if you have an iPod, which one do you have? I have a Nano refurb 2nd gen. Have you considered moving to an iPod Touch?

(editor’s note: the links in this story are affiliate links)

Alright so the news is out that Apple will be offering a new mobile device called the iPhone this summer. It is a very cool device. Mike has a good overview (more on TechMeme) of the device and why he is going to buy one. But see, Mike is not the average consumer. And that is why I think there are 3 reasons why the iPhone won't see the success that some think it will. Feel free to disagree with me!

Reason 1 – Price

The entry-model is $500, the mega-model is $600. This is not an iPod at $249. Can the average American (you know the ones who own an iPod) afford this? I think not. I am sure there will be some incentives to switch but overall the price will be a barrier to entry. But not to the early adopter crowd. Walk down 43rd street in Manhattan from 5th ave to 6th ave. Ask every person with an iPod if they will get this device. I bet maybe 3% will say yes, and thats a very aggressive figure.

Reason 2 – Locked to Cingular

I am a Cingular customer. How many are not? Will you switch to get this phone? Some will, many won't. Assuming it is GSM, I am sure someone will hack an unlock code but many won't know how. What about those who recently signed deals with the other carriers? Will they spend the $200 or so to break their contracts? Doubt it! I can't wait to read the posts on Consumerist.. they will go something like this "my wireless provider won't let me out for free because I want an iPhone."

Reason 3 – Data Rate Plans

I wrote about this last week with the MySpace deal. The data rate plans will kill this phone. I hope Cingular gets their act together and becomes an industry leader with regards to data pricing but today it is absolute crap. This device will use a lot of data when using the Cingular network (I understand it gets WiFi but that's not available free everywhere!). Can the average American afford $600 for a device and then another $30ish over their normal rate plan for some data? Nope.

I certainly hope my reasons can be addressed before launch so that the iPhone sees the same success for Apple that the iPod has had.

Please grab my feed