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Did Amazon Just Reboot the iPod?

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amazon-echoDon’t look now, but did Amazon reboot the venerable iPod with the introduction of the Echo? We all know the iconic iPod isn’t the draw it once was and is in need of a remake. I’ve mentioned before how the iPod could be re-imagined to a multi-purpose home device. A WiFi basestation/extender, a multi-device charger, AirPlay speakers, maybe Time Machine backups – there are many roles a revamped iPod could play, and right now, Amazon’s Echo is headed in that direction with the additional benefit of being a Siri-like end point with Alexa. Instead of grabbing an iPhone or iPad to ask Siri a question, the Amazon Echo is always listening, ready to research directed questions. This surely makes sense and makes voice recognition commands more approachable.

Along with the Alexa voice command feature, the Echo contains 360-degree audio speakers to fill a room with music, a solid addition for a living room hub. For Amazon, a very relevant aspect is Echo’s potential to create grocery lists. I can easily see an Echo in or near a kitchen. As your pantry empties out, asking Alexa to add items to a grocery list is a great convenience then having the ability for Amazon to fulfill your order, now that’s scarily possible.

While the Echo is still a new product with mixed reviews, there are definite futures for this device, and maybe your next iPod will be spelled E-c-h-o.

Apple Pay Worked for Me

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vending-machine-apple-payUpgrading to iOS 8.1 was easy enough, but then what do I do with an Apple Pay enabled iPhone 6? You try it out on a break room vending machine, and amazingly Apple Pay worked!

First, I had to setup Apple Pay, associating my iTunes information for payment. Then I walked by the vending machine whereupon Passbook asked if I wanted to authorize a transaction using TouchID. After scanning in my fingerprint for a few seconds, the vending machine told me to make my selection. Out came my Coke Zero, and Passbook notified me of my $1.50 transaction. That’s it, that’s all, and it just worked.

Caveat When Exchanging an iPhone 6

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If you’re considering exchanging a pre-ordered iPhone 6 for a different model, just know that your mobile carrier upgrade qualifications may be delayed during the exchange. To get the subsidized price of the iPhone 6, you need to re-up your two-year contract with your carrier. But during a return/exchange of a pre-ordered iPhone 6, technically you already used your carrier upgrade. So you need to wait until your carrier processes your return and reinstates your upgrade eligibility. Only then can you purchase another iPhone 6 at the subsidized price.

You’ll have to do all of this when the iPhone 6 releases in-store so it’ll already be chaotic with inventory varying greatly. Do you really want to do that or can you live with your pre-ordered model?

Succumbed to the iPhone 6 Hype

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That was a crazy launch of Apple’s latest iPhone 6. Pre-orders opened on September 12, 2014 at 12:01 am, meaning 9:01 pm HST. But, you couldn’t actually connect to the Apple Store until much later. Heck, I think store.apple.com is still down, nearly two hours later. But the Apple Store apps fared better (maybe by design).

iphone6-unavailableAnyways, after several stalled attempts, I finally got to the iPhone 6 pre-order screens. My goal – 4.7in iPhone 6 in silver with 64 GB (the middle option). Initially, this configuration looked available on the Apple Store app, but clicking elsewhere then coming back caused a screen refresh where mostly all configurations showed “currently unavailable.” Then one combination finally yielded an “add to cart” option – 4.7in silver with 128 GB. While I planned to go beyond my current 32-GB iPhone 5 configuration, Apple’s convenient storage bump to 64 GB was the obvious choice unless none of these were available. So, I succumbed to the hype and proceeded with the purchase of a 128-GB model.

I encountered a few more errors along the way, but a confirmation email seems to verify my iPhone 6 order went through. How about you? Did you get what you wanted?

iPod-U2-video

Remember When iPod Sales Converted Buyers to Macs?

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Remember times past when the sales of iPods led to Windows users switching to Macs? I wonder if a similar situation will occur with the Apple Watch and the iPhone. Because you need an iPhone to link with an Apple Watch, will this spur more iPhone converts as the Apple Watch gains momentum?

And before you pooh pooh the starting price tag of $350 for the Apple Watch, just remember how much iPods used to cost.

  • March 2002 – Original (non-touch) Wheel 10GB $499
  • September 2003 – 20GB and 40GB for $399 and $499
  • September 2006 – iPod Video 30GB, 80GB for $249 and $349

iPod purchases led to purchases of $1000+ Macs, so could a $350 Apple Watch lead buyers to a $650 (unsubsidized) iPhone 6?

Apple Security Emails

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From the celebgate disclosures, Apple tightened up its security measures and now emails you when anything changes with your account. I logged into iCloud to check something, and I received an email notifying me about this login. For iTunes, I had to update my expired credit card information, and there was an email notifying me of this update.

I wonder how far this goes?

Apple Going After Black America?

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LeBron and his Beats
LeBron and his Beats

Here’s an interesting angle of why Apple is interested in Dr. Dre’s Beats line. Apple wants an “in” with Black America. Seemingly over two thirds of African Americans own Android smartphones rather than iPhones, but Beats doesn’t follow this ratio.

You remember the outspoken Richard Sherman Beats commercial during this past SuperBowl? Or how about Vernon Davis rocking his custom 49er Beats during last year’s SuperBowl. The heavy influence may spill over to Apple sales.

Who knows? If this doesn’t work, there’s always Justin Bieber.

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