Apple iPod and iTunes is forgive me, a "fruitful" discussion in many ways. Design, and the importance of differentiated design can be HUGE when it comes to the success of a new product platform. By the way, is iPod/iTunes a service or a product?
The linked article from FAST COMPANY "FASTER TALK: Apple in their eyes", a number of people discuss the impact of design, the iPod, simplicity, quality, "out cooling" the competition etc.
What do you think? How important is design? How important is cool? Can any product be only a product, or is everything a service?
Gene A. Wright
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6 comments:
Reading through all the comments made by several entrepreneurs I guess I will have to agree iPod is one of the coolest thing designers have created. Agreed that there are lots of discussion around it not been extremely user friendly but until there wasn't an iPod launch there would have not been any product even closer to that. Just thinking about iPod having more than 1,000 patents itself proves what a masterpiece creation it is. I think it is very easy to sit and criticize once the product is made. But someone to think something completely out of the box, plan, design and finally create is huge leverage to Innovation. This product was bold as there was none similar kind existed before its launch the success of this product was absolutely dependent on how customer felt about the product and that’s being bullish. From design on usability standpoint it is definitely a success. I think this product is a combination of being a product and service. And truly this product is one of top success of been Innovative.
Design is important for any "main stream" product. Since we're talking mp3 players, I think "cool" is a key factor looking at the market segment Apple was attacking. Teens gravitate to what's "cool" and "trendy", not what exactly is the best buy.
ipod = product
itunes = service (that expands the products capabilities).
Question - how many ipod sales are based strictly on consumers who don't do any research when buying a product? Does large sales volume of a product make it the best of something?
If I read things correctly, I don't care for the fact that ipod forces you to use itunes. I hate to be limited in my choices (services).
I agree with Adam P about being forced to use iTunes. Personally, I have rejected the iPod technology for better products at a cheaper price. However, I am not looking for the "cool" and "trendy" factor like most consumers.
Obviously, these factors must weigh in when designing a product. How often does the Industrial Design group go to engineering with an outlandish proposal that defies safety, manufacturability, and feasibility just because it looks cool? Sure, it pushes innovation, but there is a fine-line between form and function. Fortunately, for Apple, the "cool" factor overcame any bad product features.
As I read through this article I was amazed at how many of these comparison products I had never heard of, even if they were second place in the market. It was also interesting to observe the feelings of the rivals, some saw it as a driving force to keep up designing and attempt to pass the iPod, others seemed very vengeful to the market.
Many seem to believe that it is the money Apple put into advertising that gave iPod its edge on the market. I firmly believe that the consumer’s word of mouth has been the strongest influence on the iPod trend. Those who have iPods are most likely to recommend them to their peers and be repeat purchasers. As for the iTunes requirement for transferring multimedia onto the iPod, it is only a service by request only. One does not have to purchase their music through iPod, the program can be downloaded for free and used for free. Purchasing music can be through any channel and still brought into the iPod.
akk
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