Thoughts on iPhone Price Drop
I’m curious what folks think about the price drop, specifically those of you who - like me - are well outside any sort of return/re-shelve/refund window. Are you upset? Couldn’t care less? Do you agree with Jobs that it’s “just technology”?
Personally I think it’s bad form, but not entirely unexpected. I’d like that $200 back, but I believe it was a $600 product then and I’ve made good use of it in those two months. It is a shitty tack for the company to take to burn people willing to take a leap into a new frontier with them, and they will never again see a launch like they had with this phone. There’s also a real potential for new buyers to shy away now, Apple has been notorious for these price slashing prior to a new revision, which is certainly possible (although not probable) before Christmas. Apple has become a consumer product business, and the exemplary customer satisfaction they tout in their marketing and interviews took a hit yesterday. If they keep this up they will be a big consumer electronics business like they wish to be, the kind everyone hates.
The drop also shows a weakness in the market for the product and the overt profit-taking being done upfront. I believe Apple was hedging their bets on demand and wanted to isolate a price point that kept buzz high, demand under control and supplies in-line. To those ends, I feel Apple is struggling with the product (nearly a million sold in 10 weeks doesn’t add up to 10 million in 53 weeks, even with holiday feasting). The price drop is meant to stir interest and grab the remnant buyers out there, but I think ultimately the Touch is going to make the most of the iPhone R&D spending and we’ll see the iPhone go the way of the Newton. My gut says this time next year there will not be a cell phone Apple product on the market.
Am I nuts? Let me hear it.
Also, if you want that “crying baby holding a crying baby” wallpaper click here.
