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powerbook867 · Nov 26, 2003, 09:14 PM

I could see 99 dollars off of current models, but 99 dollars for a 5 gig would be pretty amazing....Has Apple ever had a bleading edge product that had a cost well below market norms?? I've only been on with Jobs & Co. for about 3 years now......Don't get me wrong, Id buy my wife one in a heartbeat at that price!!

thePurpleGiant · Nov 26, 2003, 10:57 PM

Kate wants an MP3 player, but only needs about 500MB. Loves my iPod, but doesn't want to spend that much.

I am looking into buying her a Rio or something. If they released this for $200AU I would buy it straight away.

(feeling sad that I paid $800 for my 5GB 2 years ago!)

Zoom_zoom · Nov 26, 2003, 11:00 PM

I hope this rumor is true, but i can't find any infomation on the sale on the Australian Apple web site. Guess I will Have to wait and see!

Mr. Zoom Zoom

amsalpemkcus · Nov 27, 2003, 01:52 AM

When it is too good to be true...
it usually is true!

dampeoples · Nov 27, 2003, 02:44 AM

I hope it's not a store only event, I'm too far away from one!

spectre · Nov 27, 2003, 02:47 AM

I can't justify spending $400 (canadian) on an mp3 player.. but I would definitely be willing to spend $150. Here's hoping it's true..

mikeini · Nov 27, 2003, 03:15 AM

dude - if it was 150 .. i would get it. just gonna have to drop by.. see what happens. someone go as soon as a store opens and post from the store!!!

The Ginger Rat · Nov 27, 2003, 06:44 AM

I just got my mom one of those tiny Yepp (incredibly stupid name, makes me think I should be chawing on a straw)players for $130 CDN. I bought it solely for the tiny form factor, which definitely carries a price premium. But hell, I sure would have gone for a cheap litle iPod!

Oh, as for costs- the amortized cost for iPod development must be minimal by now so the primary cost will be in the hardware such as the drive. The margins on a cheaper tinyPod won't be as fat but Apple should be able to make money on them.

wulf · Nov 27, 2003, 08:11 AM

I could see Apple doing 5GB for $200 (fits their current price structure), and maybe $150 if they slash their margin to the bone.

But iPod for $100? Not this Christmas.

Krusty · Nov 27, 2003, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by powerbook867:
... Has Apple ever had a bleading edge product that had a cost well below market norms?? ...

When the original Aiport base station($299) and aiport cards ($99) came out ... they were HUNDREDS less than other wireless solutions at the time. Of course, in a very short amount of time, prices from other vendors dropped and Airport's price stayed exactly same .. making it one of the more expensive solutions.

... not that any of this has anything to do with the iPod

powerbook867 · Nov 27, 2003, 11:23 AM

Thanks Krusty! I did not know that! I'm eagerly looking forward to tomorrow to see if even a 150 model is offered....Heck, I'd probably buy 2 at that price....

starman · Nov 27, 2003, 12:00 PM

Wouldn't they have to advertise it NOW for people to even find out about it???

Mike

PowerMatt · Nov 27, 2003, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by nate_02:
I would buy an iPod right away if it was $100.

You could buy one for your brother (me) for Christmas!

Wiskedjak · Nov 27, 2003, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by starman:
Wouldn't they have to advertise it NOW for people to even find out about it???

No. They ARE advertising something for tomorrow, they're just not saying what exactly.

I suspect if there is anything to this rumor, the deals will be only in Apple stores.

einmakom · Nov 27, 2003, 12:19 PM

What goes into an iPod that costs Apple money:

the HDD.
the LCD with backlight.
the battery.
the touch button elements.
the licensing for the Portal Player chip.
the metal back of the iPod (the front plastic is cheap. the metal is more expensive.)

Circuit card and chip cost are cheap.

Product markup to get the retail price is 40%, let's say for argument's sake.

Can Apple buy and assemble all of the above for $60 USD?

For the sake of comparison, let's look at the Palm Zire device that retails for $99.

The Zire has the Motorola Dragonball chip, which is a 68000 series chip (same as the original non-PPC Macintoshes). It has the LCD and backlight with touch sensitive layer. It has a battery built in.

Basically, it's the same as the iPod, without the Portal Player licensing fee and the HDD cost.

The question then, is this: At $100 USD, is the iPod taking a loss, to which I believe the answer must be yes- at any rate, it's a very tough proposal to make the numbers work.

euchomai · Nov 27, 2003, 12:30 PM

Wow, you all have such great opinions... It's a one day event, so throw out cost of all the parts. If it's a one day sale then take a hit, get even more people to buy iPods and then try to make some money on the iTunes store. Sell iPods, make money in iTunes... Well, just my opinion!

ThisGuy · Nov 27, 2003, 12:57 PM

is anybody here willing to eat crow?

ThinkInsane · Nov 27, 2003, 01:09 PM

Well, I certainly am. If it turns out to be a baseless rumor (although I never said I believed it, I just posted a link to a story I found) I'l eat some crow for even bringing it up. I can take my lumps

I still hope they do it though. I won't be buying on, I already have a 5 gig iPod, which I said earlier has a lot of sentimental value, so there is no reason for me to replace it with another 5 gigger. Mine works fine, so what's the point. I still would like to see it, as it would definitely cement Apple's dominance in the portable music market.

powerbook867 · Nov 27, 2003, 01:41 PM

While I am hopeful that this does happen, I was thinking a little and I wonder if Apple will offer free music w/ any Ipod purchase...Something along the line of "Buy an Ipod today and get your first 50 songs free..." Just a thought...

Mastrap · Nov 27, 2003, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by euchomai:
Sell iPods, make money in iTunes... Well, just my opinion!

Unfortunately Apple makes hardly any money in the iTunes store. If anything it is the other way round, the store being a loss leader in order to sell more iPods.

Whatever it will be, it should be interesting.

funkboy · Nov 27, 2003, 04:56 PM

If it was $100, for a 5GB with the dock connector, it would rocket to the top of my 8
*realistic* Christmas gift list.

Krusty · Nov 27, 2003, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by ThisGuy:
is anybody here willing to eat crow?

Maybe people will have to... I know several who are eating crow about the veracity of the 20" iMac story. It'd be nice ....

mikeini · Nov 27, 2003, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by Krusty:
Maybe people will have to... I know several who are eating crow about the veracity of the 20" iMac story. It'd be nice ....

what does it mean to eat crow?

ThinkInsane · Nov 27, 2003, 06:25 PM

It means basically you were wrong and have to take your lumps. You know, people will throw it in your face.

mikeini · Nov 27, 2003, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
It means basically you were wrong and have to take your lumps. You know, people will throw it in your face.

yea i gotcha. the whole crow thing .. dunno why thats in the analogy but i gotcha.

but seriously - SOMEONE NEEDS TO GO AS EARLY AS THE STORE OPENS AND RESPOND ON ONE OF THE COMPS THERE TO TELL US WHATS UP AT TEH STORE!

any volunteers?

Mediaman_12 · Nov 27, 2003, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by mikeini:
SOMEONE NEEDS TO GO AS EARLY AS THE STORE OPENS AND RESPOND ON ONE OF THE COMPS THERE TO TELL US WHATS UP AT TEH STORE!

The ad's do say All Day so perhaps the announcement (or whatever) could be in the afternoon, or be at something like 10:30/11am LA time.

Zoom_zoom · Nov 27, 2003, 08:10 PM

I remember a while back on the iTunes music store which displayed a pepsi logo and said "10,000 free songs coming soon" or something like that? could this be possibly it?

( I am pretty sure I remembered this, and am just not making it up)

Agasthya · Nov 27, 2003, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by Zoom_zoom:
I remember a while back on the iTunes music store which displayed a pepsi logo and said "10,000 free songs coming soon" or something like that? could this be possibly it?

( I am pretty sure I remembered this, and am just not making it up)

Pepsi is giving away 100 million songs but that doesn't start until February 1st.

starman · Nov 27, 2003, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by mikeini:
yea i gotcha. the whole crow thing .. dunno why thats in the analogy but i gotcha.

but seriously - SOMEONE NEEDS TO GO AS EARLY AS THE STORE OPENS AND RESPOND ON ONE OF THE COMPS THERE TO TELL US WHATS UP AT TEH STORE!

any volunteers?

Please tell me that 'teh' was a typo.

Mike

SOLIDAge · Nov 27, 2003, 09:21 PM

humm

what if Apple introduced the iPod Jr.? something VERY much like the iPod in its syncing and such...but different materials? no metal? no touch ? we'll see...
i know many family members who love iTunes Music store and would not mind spending $100 for an iPod

Hannah W · Nov 27, 2003, 09:24 PM

I would love a $100 iPod! Or did the original poster mean $100US?

Q27 · Nov 27, 2003, 09:52 PM

It would not surprise me if they did something like this. Sorta to undercut Dell and Napster's entry into the digital music arena. If you look at Dell right now you can get a 15GB Digital Jukebox for $199. I know alot of people will say that Dell and MusicMatch are junk. Think of a $100 model as just a foot in the door for Apple. All the true techies will still get higher capacity models, and this low end model might help them choose to go with Apple.

Zoom_zoom · Nov 27, 2003, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by Hannah W:
I would love a $100 iPod! Or did the original poster mean $100US?

$100 U.S, So about $200AU, Still thats pretty cheap

Woah, 200th post, go me.

fireside · Nov 27, 2003, 11:35 PM

i'm going to the tampa store around 9 am so if there is something cool there ill be sure to post it on one of the sexy G5s.

ps zoom_zoom: its "im not even supposed to be here today" not "come here today"

mikeini · Nov 28, 2003, 12:05 AM

just post to let us know whats up !

Hannah W · Nov 28, 2003, 12:07 AM

Is it 9am there yet? Hurry up guys!

Zoom_zoom · Nov 28, 2003, 02:13 AM

Originally posted by fireside:
ps zoom_zoom: its "im not even supposed to be here today" not "come here today"

Thanks Fireside, I was trying to remember it off the top of my head

Mediaman_12 · Nov 28, 2003, 06:10 AM

Looks like it's just a 10% off offer

Looks like it's USA only too, this image isn't on the UK store site. Boo!

- - e r i k - - · Nov 28, 2003, 06:22 AM

Yup. 10% Off iPods and accessories. US only. Giving the gift of music refers mostly to the physical iTunes gift-certificates. Crow recipes here.

pimephalis · Nov 28, 2003, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
Looks like it's just a 10% off offer

Looks like it's USA only too, this image isn't on the UK store site. Boo!

Same icon appears on the Canadian store's page, but I'm not certain whether the discount gets applied or not. I'm not (quite) ready to drop $550 CDN for a portable music player. For that price, I could replace my broken DVD player with a progressive scan player and five satellite speakers. Probably easier to justify the latter to the wife ...

Agasthya · Nov 28, 2003, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by - - e r i k - -:
Yup. 10% Off iPods and accessories. US only. Giving the gift of music refers mostly to the physical iTunes gift-certificates. Crow recipes here.

Yeah, my sister just called me from the Apple retail store and thats all there is...

Wishful thinking I guess

starman · Nov 28, 2003, 10:14 AM

Bah. I was hoping for something better. I wanted to get new speakers.

Mike

Apple_John · Nov 28, 2003, 11:01 AM

for $99, you can buy a 512mb CF!!
5GB iPod for $99!! hahahaha

ThinkInsane · Nov 28, 2003, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by - - e r i k - -:
Yup. 10% Off iPods and accessories. US only. Giving the gift of music refers mostly to the physical iTunes gift-certificates. Crow recipes here.

I'll take this one:

Crow Creole
submitted by George Carpenter

Ingredients
2 medium onions
2 fresh chilies chopped
2 ribs celery
3 cloves garlic minced
� pound butter
16oz. chicken broth
1 can whole tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
8oz. ketchup
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
1/2 tablespoons garlic sauce
1/4 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 pound (12 pieces, or so) crow breast chopped into bite-sized pieces

Preparation
Brown the crow breasts in a skillet with butter or oil. When browned, place them in a Saut� onion, celery, chilies and garlic in butter until tender. Add the above ingredients and all of the remaining ingredients to a crock pot and cook on low for 6-7 hours.

To serve, heap about 1 cup of rice in the center of the plate, and ladle a generous amount of the sauce around it. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

disectamac · Nov 28, 2003, 12:54 PM

well it wasn't all a waste. iPodhack.com probably got an xtra 1600 clicks from this thread alone?

mishap · Nov 28, 2003, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by disectamac:
well it wasn't all a waste. iPodhack.com probably got an xtra 1600 clicks from this thread alone?

the site gets updated every few months...looked like a promising site when iPod first came out.

wdlove · Nov 28, 2003, 01:37 PM

This is disappointing, was really hoping for something more. Don't have any interest in the music items.

Superchicken · Nov 28, 2003, 02:15 PM

You know I'm tempted to get a small flash based mp3 player, see if I can get one with two flash slots in it, and then just buy a 512 card for it... wouldn't be as good as an iPod but least I could store a fair number of songs on it... of course after I did that apple would intro a good consumer end product... just how things work with me and Apple.

shabbasuraj · Nov 28, 2003, 05:14 PM

you all got head faked...

your consolation prize?

iTunes gift certificates...!!!

wifedoer68 · Nov 30, 2003, 11:19 PM

Dammit.

I was hoping....

>sigh<

- Ca$h