The beat won't go on for the iPod Hi-Fi?
Sources have indicated to MacScoop that Apple's first hi-fi product, namely, the iPod Hi-Fi, could be discontinued.
Released by Apple in February 2006, the iPod Hi-Fi is an integrated, boombox-factored stereo system which includes an iPod dock and provides high fidelity sound through three drivers which fit in an "acoustically tuned enclosure", as stated in the product's specs.
It appears that the $349 product will stay in Apple's catalogue for just enough time to let Apple to sell the last pieces of its inventory.
No information has filtered on a replacement product. If there is a replacement item, we expect the product to be very different and probably to carry a different name.
The iPod Hi-Fi can't be called a flop though, as it had been quite well received by the press and had virtually no user-complains. On the other hand, the Hi-Fi hasn't exactly been a runaway sales success either.
A few days ago, another report by ThinkSecret, first mentioned the possibility that Apple would discontinue the Hi-Fi. Maybe the special event scheduled by Apple on September 5 will tell us more.
Coming from Apple, the iPod
Coming from Apple, the iPod Hifi could have been a unique product, but it is not unique. Functionally, there is nothing unique in it compared to the Bose iPod player or any of the other better quality ones like the Klipsch one, etc.
What Apple should have done from day one is to have a product equivalent to the Roku Soundbridge Radio, but with Apple quality, UI and design.
For those that don't know what I am talking about - here is a gist.
In addition to the current features in the iPod HiFi, it should have had a built-in display and built-in ethernet and wireless (802.11b/g). With the remote, the user should be able to access iTunes music (ala Airport Express) from the LAN and play it. Users should also be able to access internet radio. In addition to trumping Soundbridge Radio in quality, the ipod Hifi would be in the unique position to play FairPlay DRM'd files too.
However, Apple went the easy route and produced a run of the mill product. Very un-Apple. I actually bought one of these and returned it. Was not worth it. BTW, the Roku Soundbridge Radio is now $299.
Apple made the mistake first
Apple made the mistake first of making it by making it too minimalist.While many enjoy that aesthetic,most simple minded folk like a few bells and whistles. Second, for the price shoud have been a three piece system. I have my HiFi hooked up to my 24" Imac and love it. However,the bass response is heavy and it highs arent as good. The HiFi would slam all of the 3 piece systems out there. Well,..until they come out with the HiFi Video which will has some cool satellite speakers and the ability to have an itunes visualizer mode....its just a stunning piece of plastic. If discontinued,..I will probably buy another one and drive two HiFi's standing vertical for kicks.
Having a single piece makes
Having a single piece makes it semi portable. I don't have a problem with that. I have a big system with Klipsch Reference speakers for serious listening. I would also like a single piece system for casual listening - there is a market for that. I have a Squeezebox 3 for my big system. I would have liked the iPod Hifi for a semi portable system - however I would have liked Apple to include the Squeezebox functionality inside the iPod Hifi.
This is the age when
This is the age when portability means carrying tens of thousands of songs in your pocket. Carrying a 10pd portable and an ipod just seems out of date for these times.The larger market is for computer use. Rather than dropping the HiFi they should continue to refine it and make it more attractive to their users and market. I don't think they are going to drop it...rumors spawn interest and purchases with hardcore Apple fans. What better (cheaper) way to boost sales by leaking that it will be dropped? Apple marketing team is real smart. A month ago I read where the mac mini was being dropped. The reality was the the core 2 duo's came a week later. How do you say,.."Move the old stock quick!?"
i ate italian food and now I
i ate italian food and now I can speak italian. A ba de bu ba ge to hea tuet twa
I started to notice that my
I started to notice that my iPod can do more than I originally thought. Starting with the music boosters and ending in installing linux on it. I just need to wait until my ipod battery replacement arrives. I guess the battery problem is the only bad thing at an iPod.
I just got a new ipod
I just got a new ipod shuffle to use when working out with the arm band it's so much more convenient then the regular ipods,