Buy the taste


The factor that sets Apple apart
I want to talk about Apple and the free market.

This last week Apple refreshed their iPod line and introduced a new version of iTunes that lets people make ringtones for the iPhone from "selected" songs.

I'm not exactly an Apple fanboy, but I do use their products. So I am going to jump in here.

Apple doesn't sell computers. Or iPods. Or iPhones. Or songs. Or movies. Or television shows.

They sell the experience.

Of all the computer companies, Apple comes closest to selling the computer as an appliance. Something that you just plug in and use.

They do this by tightly integrating the hardware and software. And while you can upgrade, you aren't expected to upgrade the hardware right out of the box. My own recent frustrations aside, usually Apple products just work.

Yes, Apple sells music and movies and shows through the iTunes music store. But they don't get much profit on those.

No, the real money is in iPods.

And the way that Apple sells iPods is by making them fun to use. That's why people buy so many.

Most of the criticism I see leveled at Apple is because of what other companies are doing.

Music with oppressive digital rights management? Apple's DRM is the most permissive FROM THE CUSTOMER STANDPOINT in the industry. I don't know about you, but there are albums I have bought four and five times in my life. Once on record, once on 8-track (yes, I am that old), once on cassette, and once on CD. When does the music become "mine" to do as I wish as long as I don't profit from it?

Right now, when it comes to digital music and downloaded movies, Apple is the customer's best friend. Not because they have your best interests at heart, but because they want to sell iPods.

That can only work in a free market when you have choice.

You don't have to buy an iPod. But if you want to use the iTunes Music Store, you do need iTunes because that is how Apple maintains the experience.

Have you been experienced?

— NeoWayland

Posted: Tue - September 18, 2007 at 03:36 PM  Tag


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