Tuesday
Feb122008
Why all the soft launches?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 10:09AM
Why is Apple soft launching so many products lately? First the upgraded iPhones and now a new version of Aperture, just released today. There are also rumors of an upgraded MacBook Pro on its way very shortly. I don't have a need for Aperture but I feel like all of these soft launches will have negative consequences for Apple.
For starters, why would I bother to go to MacWorld if I know that it won't be a complete rundown of what is new from Apple? It also makes me jumpy as a consumer. Every time I purchase an Apple product lately, I worry that it will be less valuable in just a matter of weeks.
My next Apple purchase will be the newest version of the AppleTV, followed by the 250 gig black MacBook. This MacBook Pro is breaking my back as I lug it on and off the subway every day! I feel fairly confident that these two products will not be upgraded significantly within a year but you have to admit, Apple is erratic these days.
People sometimes ask me if I get these products for free. No! Even if I did, I couldn't keep them because journalists are not allowed so I am affected just as much as everyone else by these short product life cycles. Nevertheless, I will bite the bullet and purchase the AppleTV shortly. We will be filming the setup process in my apartment for Loaded so stay tuned for that! Speaking of Loaded, find today's episode here.
For starters, why would I bother to go to MacWorld if I know that it won't be a complete rundown of what is new from Apple? It also makes me jumpy as a consumer. Every time I purchase an Apple product lately, I worry that it will be less valuable in just a matter of weeks.
My next Apple purchase will be the newest version of the AppleTV, followed by the 250 gig black MacBook. This MacBook Pro is breaking my back as I lug it on and off the subway every day! I feel fairly confident that these two products will not be upgraded significantly within a year but you have to admit, Apple is erratic these days.
People sometimes ask me if I get these products for free. No! Even if I did, I couldn't keep them because journalists are not allowed so I am affected just as much as everyone else by these short product life cycles. Nevertheless, I will bite the bullet and purchase the AppleTV shortly. We will be filming the setup process in my apartment for Loaded so stay tuned for that! Speaking of Loaded, find today's episode here.
Reader Comments (14)
Hey Natali,
Today on the loaded show I heard you say that Netflix was going to stop doing hd dvds right away. I thought they were going to do them until the end of the year. Maybe I just heard it wrong or something who knows but if somebody knows let me know. PS love the loaded show its great also you are awesome on buzz out loud as well. PSS I had a bum (girl) start to pee in my yard when I first started moving into my house I am in Phoenix Arizona maybe its a global thing ;o)
Deon
Hello Natali. Yeah I agree with you with all the soft landing announcements with apple items. They would usually announce items at the NBNA conference in April but Apple had pulled out of that event. A good way to find if apple is doing a revision of any of their hardware is on the macrumors website. On the top right corner click on buyers guide tab. This is helpful in that it shows how many days a item has been on the market.
Another resource to find out if a new revision is coming out is to check with your local college computerstore. They usually have huge discounts on the items that are going to be EOL.
I believe one of the reasons for the soft landings is that apple wants media attention all the time now. Before it would just be 2 events per year and the media frenzy that came with them. Now its apple in the media 24/7. I don't like that much as you. Makes my wallet empty all the time.
As for the checking if things are getting upgraded, Overstock.com usually gets lots of apple surplus too.
As for the heavy computer I'm starting to miss the days where there was a pro version with a 12 in screen ( the 12in. PowerBook). I'm so stuck with it even though I've got friends everywhere at apple. They mostly have to pay for all their stuff as well. Apple wants to make money folks they're not giving out stuff for free.
Finally I found loaded on iTunes to subscribe to yay!
I think that Hai is right in saying that Apple needs to be deep in the daily news cycle.
However, carpe diem is the name of the game given the frequent updates to their products. I think it makes sense to wait until the Worldwide Developers Conference in June before purchasing a MacBook, but I doubt that they will update the Apple TV any time soon.
Speaking of the Apple TV, there are a number of products that meet or exceed its capabilities. An X-Box can download HD content, and play a wide variety of media formats including Divx and Xvid. Of course, you also get a great game machine, but I think that its price almost justifies buying it just for its media center capabilities. Even the D-Link DSM 520 that I own can do more than an Apple TV. Of course, neither are as sleek as the Apple TV in physical form and user interface!
I continue to be impressed by Loaded! I think you are doing great things with the show.
Deon,
Netflix is supposed to continue to carry the HD-DVDs that they currently own. They won't be purchasing new ones though. It is a general phase-out and there is no set date. Read the company's release here: http://netflix.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=265.
Also, AppleTV out today everyone! I'll be dropping more money into the company's bottom line now!
I love the way you perform on your show YOUR GREAT! maybe I will be on the show And I have a apple phone Maybe I can see you some time
xo
I totally agree with you about this Apple dirty strategy of not telling what they are going to release next month... thus kind of deceiving the buyers. It's OK when it's a completely new thing like the iPhone last summer, or the thin but unaffordable MacBook Air, but they should tell right now when they plan to release a new revision of the MacBook Pro. It shouldn't be necessary to follow MacRumors to know if you're going to be a victim of the Apple greedy marketing plans. I don't know if it has always been like this, as I am still new in the Apple world, but I don't like it.
BTW I'm following you on Loaded via iTunes and I've heard in today's issue that you in Cnet are covering the Mobile Congress in Barcelona (where I live!) and that you guys in Loaded haven't been sent here. What a pity! I bet you'd have enjoyed the city. May it be another time soon.
Hey there again Natali.. You will get plenty of enjoyment from the new update with Apple TV. Updated mine today, and it actually feels worth the $299 I paid for it. I don't usually rent movies or TV shows, but I have a feeling I might actually start doing it now.
As for the rumors with new Macbook Pro's coming out, that should be interesting. I am a recent switcher to the Mac, as of late October actually, and I started with a 20" Imac; Now I have a 2 week old MacBook Pro and I just love it. From what I have heard about possible updates, I don't think I will be disappointed that I bought one before the update.
Take care and stay warm... oh, and Happy Valentines day to the prettiest CNET editor yet! :) ... ahhh, your blushing.. so cute hahahah
See ya
- Rodney
Yeah If I can't crack it open or upgrade it myself, I'm not buying it. That's Why i don't use Mac products...
The other thing I think Apple doesn't say what dates they will release new items is that people tend to wait for the day that the new item comes out. This hurts Apple a lot financially with stock fluctuations. If they tell you what date it will come out, everyone would wait and buy it the day after. This would make the quarter very good for Apple, but the next quarter when there is no new release Apple stock would be at the same level as it was before the new release.
Another problem is the supply chain problem. If everyone wanted something at once, there might be a scarcity problem, and knowing many hardcore Apple fans not getting there new toy would be very upset. Also with the minor updates like macbook and imac's are not that significant to merit any fanfare. What I would like is Apple to give a 100 dollar or 10% discount when the item is 6 months in its lifecycle. Imagine paying 2500 dollars for a mac pro and a month later there is a new revision. That would hurt really bad. What makes me mad is us the consumer who are paying Apples high margins in the later stages of the product.
Unless your an Apple stock holder these Apple tactics hurt the new Apple adopters.
Also if you are planning on a black macbook, there is a good deal at my brothers college. It just doesn't have the 250GB that you wanted.
13.3" Glossy widescreen
2.16 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB DDR2-667 SDRAM
Super Drive
160GB Hard Drive
Now: $1099.00
Was: $1399.00
Dear oh dear. I have a 3+ year old PowerBook G4 that has definitely been showing its age. The Air temporarily had me considering it, but then logic came into play. I NEED a new Apple laptop. I was about to go ahead and purchase a MacBook Pro last month, but now I'm just scared.
Even if there's a slightly updated MBP coming in a few weeks, I foresee an overhaul on the entire MacBook/Pro lineup.
For once, I'm actually scared to buy an Apple product.
I just purchased a refurbished MacBook Pro 2.4GHz, 17" to replace my PowerBook G4 1GHz, 17". I am now "current" with the Intel state of Macs after waiting quite a bit of time (for me) to do so. Even with the new line potentially coming up soon, I try not to have any regrets -- I bought it when I needed it, not when I wanted it. It's always a good rule of thumb when you think electronics. Models always come and go.
Definitely frustrating buying something when a new product version hits the streets a week or month later without warning. I don't think Apple can solely be accused of doing it. I'm not sure, but how long was the Nokia N800 out before they upped it to the N810?
And old technology still works. Aside from storage, an iPhone 4Gb does just as much as the new 16Gb version. More even, because 4Gb iPhone users got months of "wow" time where they impressed their friends, coworkers and family with that shiny glass slab -- getting lots of "Oh! Is that an iPhone???" whereas the 16Gb new users will get, "Oh! It's another iPhone. So, um, when's the next version out?"
Natali,
I think your point has a correlation to a a quote that I have stumbled upon "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." All tech companies innovate, but I think we all love Apple because they invite us to go down this journey of innovation with them. Their journey is different because they are really willing to try things and do things that a lot of companies don't. I think that is what has made them arguably the best in technology. Buy what you need is my advice. It leaves an appetite for the things that you want. Technology is moving fast, there is no way that the consumer can keep up, unless they have pot of unlimited discretionary funds. Apple is just giving the consumers the option to be along for the ride in a aesthetically, fuctionally, and fun way.
I am not brand washed (I think I just made that term up) and Apple is not perfect. I think sometimes that Steve's confidence is misconstrued to make it seem like he thinks Apple is perfect.
A basketball player doesn't tell his defender where he is passing the ball to. Makes the same sense in business. Thats why Apple does not announce its products. At least thats the logic I put with it.
Hi!
Well I think that Apple Products are a big deal but the way of getting Informations from Apple is like ... I feel like beeing pressed in childhood back.
Regards, Erik
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http://www.gipsy-info.com" rel="nofollow">la vie est belle :-)