Apple Announces iPod Hi-Fi

[Bob Crabtree]

Apple Announces iPod Hi-Fi

High-Fidelity Speaker System for iPod Redefines the Home Stereo System

CUPERTINO, California—February 28, 2006—Apple today announced iPod Hi-Fi, an all-new high-fidelity speaker system that works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system. iPod Hi-Fi delivers breathtaking acoustic performance and room-filling sound unlike any other speaker system designed for the iPod in an innovative, all-in-one design that can be powered from a wall socket or by six D-cell batteries. iPod Hi-Fi is easily controlled by the Apple Remote for an amazing stereo experience in any room in the house.

More.

[Stoo]

*vomit*

worst apple product ever?

[autopilot]

Hmm...

Sorry if you think i am being over cynical again bob, but "redefine the home stereo system"? I don't think so.

Firstly, it's fugly, but maybe thats just me.
Secondly, whats new about this? Third party manufactures (Bose for example) have been making these for ages (years?).
Thirdly, It's a useful partner for existing stereo, but does not even come close to replacing or redefining the home stereo. Most people will still want a decent proper amp/speaker setup, perhaps with a Squeezebox or a Cambridge Audio music server type device if they want to avoid CD's.

More Apple spin and hype. Are they turning into Sony?

That said, i am sure they will sell like hot cakes.

*vomit*

Innit. Looks like a crap cheap speaker thats fallen over.

[DR]

I don't like how the IPod sits on top of it - I would like to have seena s lot in unit

[autopilot]

I don't like how the IPod sits on top of it - I would like to have seena s lot in unit

Yes, but most iPod owners are show off's who want it sitting there like it's on a throne

[DavidM]

Hmmm!

[autopilot]

Edit: oops, wrong thead.

Delete meh.

[5lab]

fugly. http://www.apple.com/uk/ipodhifi/

[Howard]

BWA HA HA... HAHAHAHA..


HAHAHa...


Ahhhh ha ha ha....


No.


Redefine the stereo system? I think not. It's just a ghettoblaster.

[dangel]

What next? The Apple housebrick, redefining the building trade?

God help us all, they'll probably sell loads to the mugs that'll pay anything for a logo..

[Mimp]

Now i like my ipod, mostly as i like to pose, but this is plain ugly.
Steve Jobs has gone wrong.

[hitman67]

God help us all, they'll probably sell loads to the mugs that'll pay anything for a logo..

Yep, which will encourage them to make more inferior crap that just because it wears the fruit logo will sell, it's a nasty cycle.

[TooNice]

o.O

I actually thought it was a joke when I saw the picture. Like a badly photoshopped piece of work.

I don't believe the recent iPod is nearly as bad as some people thinks, and consider it very competitive with anything out there (I'll save the blah blah for this thread http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=68627).

However, aesthetic aside (never been the reason I backed the iPod), Apple is sure talking big here. And I will say that I am slightly skeptical. Frankly speaking, I've not heard Sony talk big like that, but Bose on the other hand....

Oh well. I am skeptical, but then again, I don't consider myself a speaker person. I've heard some 20+ k systems since I have a cousin who sells those things, but I've never looked them up much (won't bother with something I can't afford).

[Bob Crabtree]

The issue I have with this product is different from everyone else's here.

What gets to me is the way that Apple dumps on companies that make hardware (or software) that piggybacks on its products.

Okay, a bit more explanation is required - and I'll start with Apple Final Cut, the program that, in effect, pushed Adobe (one of Apple's strongest supporters) out of the video editing market on Macs.

A nice way to thank your friends? I don't think so.

And, what I see with a product like iPod Hi-Fi (and the "luxurious leather cases" for fifth-generation iPod and iPod nanos) is Apple saying to itself, "Hang on, why are these companies making money that we could earn?" - totally forgetting that it absolutely DOES need these third-party companies to help grow the sales of its prime products, be they Mac computers or iPods or anything else.

[DavidM]

Very interesting point Bob.

[nichomach]

It is; I wonder whether it's simply that Apple are so confident that, for instance, when anyone thinks of a digital audio player they'll think "iPod" first, that they feel that they no longer need 3rd party products to grow support for them.