The Apple iPod has revolutionized music (and is headed to do the same with video). Discuss any observations that you have as to 1) why digital downloads are overtaking other distribution methods, 2) why Apple has established such a dominant position in this market, and 3) strategically, how do you think can Apple keep its lead in this marketplace?
Revolutionary Change from Technology Advancement (CU Week 3)
Published March 28, 2008 TechonomicsTags: advance, Apple, strategies, technology
gbaker
saslack
leemartin
kkarel
dnorman
rnoe
brittanydavidson
Digital methods are a much easier way for you to carry your music around with you at all times. You can carry all of the music you want inside a pocket where in the past with a CD player you had to carry around the player plus a carrying case with all of your CD’s in it. With digital downloads you can buy only the songs that you want to buy. In the past you bought a CD that had anywhere from twelve to twenty songs on it and you may only really like two of those songs. Apple has established a dominant position by being one of the leading innovators of the digital music players. They had seen how the market was going to digital products like the cameras, camcorders, and organizers. They have also kept their lead by making their products smaller and with more memory to hold more songs. Also, they have added pictures and video to the products. Apple can keep its lead in the marketplace by continuing to add new products to the iPod and by keeping up with changing technology to make the product smaller and with more memory.
BB
The iPod was brought into the markplace with a wonderful promise . .making music available to anyone, anywhere. It completely changed the portable listening venue with its size and with the ability to download the music you want from any online source. Comparing that to the ‘revolution’ in portable music that included the ‘Bonephone’, a padded device that you slung around your neck when you ran or the terrrible ear plugs and weight(as it hung on your running shorts) associated with the Walkman nad then the discman.
The ability to access music from your personal computer takes the hassle out of shopping, from buying a full cd just to get at a couple of songs. Finally add the piece that the consumer, to whom it is marketed, is so tech savvy that it really comes down to quality and convenience.
Apple has dominated the marketplace by building brand recognition and producing a quality product. People like to identify with what’s popular, the latest and the greatest and Apple continues to be successful wiht great research and development.
How can they continue to dominate? They must continue to innovate. As they add value to their product they will add more features to maintain the minimum price that they are willing to sell the prodcut for. This will create a better bottom line that will allow for more research, development and innovation! They will add new features, more features to this product and people will continue to look for the next generation of iPod, albeit 6 months from now.