For years MacAddicts have called for Apple to release products with mainstream pricing. Steve Jobs had a standard analogy to explain why not: "If you went to BMW and asked them why they don't outsell the Ford Taurus, they would say they don't want to make that sort of car." Russell Beattie and others believe yesterday's releases have similar consequences:
The problem with the Shuffle and the Mac Mini announcements is that they take the sheen off the Apple brand quite a bit.
However, Apple's brand leverage today comes from design and software. Really really usable software. Software that is easy to use, doesn't freeze on you and doesn't get swamped in spyware and viruses. Bringing their user experience to a wider audience will not dilute the brand. Network effects may do the opposite.
Somewhat related and classic quote of the day, on using iPods to store medical images:
"Have these radiologists given any thought to the privacy (required by law) implications of putting confidential medical records onto the same iPod that they use to store their Grateful Dead tunes and unthinkingly slot into their late model BMW's sound system?" asked Mark Allen. "I for one am not completely sure that I want my gall bladder (or an X-ray thereof) parked outside of Blowfish Sushi."
Above group picture is of the MacWorld Blogger Lunch, please help me annotate it with names.
