Apple unveils smaller iPod, new software (http://news.com.com/2100-1045_3-5135865.html?part=dtx&tag=nhl) -- CNet News.com, 01/06/04
SAN FRANCISCO--Apple CEO Steve Jobs kicked off Macworld Expo on Tuesday by announcing a smaller iPod music player, new multimedia software and an update to Microsoft's Office package.

"iPod mini," which uses a new generation of tiny hard disks, holds 4GB of storage--or about 1,000 songs--in a half-inch thick case the size of a business card. The device, which will cost $249 and come in a choice of five colors (http://dw.com.com/redir?destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fipodmin i%2F&siteId=3&oId=2100-1045-5135865&ontId=1040&lop=nl_ex), will be available in the United States in February and worldwide in April.

The linked page also includes a link to a clip from Jobs' MacWorld presentation, where he shows the iPod mini to an appreciative audience.

My initial reaction (and the reaction of the crowd when the price was revealed) is "eh." Jobs stressed how it was only 50 bucks more than the most expensive 256 MB flash memory players while conveniently neglecting to mentioned that it's only 50 bucks less than the 15 gig iPod model.

At $199, it might be reasonable, but as it stands, there's no reason for anyone to buy a 4 gig iPod mini at $249 when the larger 15 gig iPod is only $299.

Also disappointing was the new iLife suite. While the incremental undates to the programs and the new GarageBand software are cool, the free downloads for iPhoto and iMovie seem to be a thing of the past. Fortunately, iTunes is still free… for now.

Originally posted by Uncle Dick
My initial reaction (and the reaction of the crowd when the price was revealed) is "eh." Jobs stressed how it was only 50 bucks more than the most expensive 256 MB flash memory players while conveniently neglecting to mentioned that it's only 50 bucks less than the 15 gig iPod model.

I agree. He would have received a better reaction if he could have pointed to more storage, smaller, same price. Are the margins on MP3 players so small that $50 makes the difference between profit and loss? Or just between profit and "big profit"?

The least they could have done would be to offer an introductory price, or a rebate. Most people forget to send in for rebates anyway.

Another article (http://www.crn.com/sections/BreakingNews/dailyarchives.asp?ArticleID=47026) announced:

Sybase, meanwhile, is now offering its Adaptive Server Enterprise database for the Mac OS X Panther operating system. ASE 12.5.1 offers better performance, faster application development and new administration tools, according to the Dublin, Calif.-based company.

Which is intriguing because, as we all know, Steve Jobs is also CEO of a little company across the bay from Cupertino, called Pixar. And Sybase CEO John Chen recently joined (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?threadid=22936) the Disney Board of Directors... It's all just one cozy dysfunctional family, no?

I certainly like Jobs a lot more than Eisner. I wonder what Jobs, Eisner, and Chen all think of each other...

Adrienne