Why do people call their mp3 players 'iPods'?

retired_assy22 · 11-28-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Terry Cheung:
Much ado about nothing. For the original poster, I don't think that many people are trying to show off by calling their MP3 players "ipods". It just become part of everyday life and a cultural icon due to Apple's brilliant marketing. The Sony Walkman which was mentioned is another good example, though in that case people actually called portable cassette players by other brands "walkmans", and nobody thought it odd. However, that was different, as Sony invented the things and Apple did not invent portable MP3 players.

Anyway, my point is that people don't give special treatment to ipods - they have just been brainwashed by Apple's marketing. Only anally-retentive people would make an effort not to use the term, and in doing so draw attention to themselves, as if they're the ones trying to make a point.

Btw, I call my shuffle and video ipod "ipod".

What's the point of a shuffle and a video simultaneously? What's the point of a shuffle?

retired_elohiim1217 · 11-28-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RedefiningForm:

What's the point of a shuffle and a video simultaneously? What's the point of a shuffle?

I bought it to use at the gym. Also, sometimes if I'm going out and I don't want to carry extra stuff apart from my wallet, keys and phone I will take the shuffle.

retired_khabmth · 11-28-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mudweiser:
I'm just wondering why the iPod gets special treatment.

Because Apple know how to successfully market stuff. It's called "added value" and it's why Apple will dominate that market for a while (and they will be seen as much more dominant than they are at the same time).

retired_linton_justin · 11-28-2007, 11:27 AM

shuffle's good for kids i guess. My missus bought her 9 year old neice one and basically said if you can look after it for a couple of years you can get a nano etc later.

retired_khabmth · 11-28-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 12wolgarston:
fwiw, a lot of people also call mp3 players of other brands ipods too, for the ease of saying it, but also for the same reason why people call all mobile personal casette/cd players walkmans, and why people call all vacuum cleaners hoovers - its in the branding, it becomes synonymous, they are essentially interchangeable.

Yea things like Walkman, Diskaman, Asprin and loads of others are used that way (in the US at least but by the looks of it in the Uk too).
Not really sure why, in swedish I don't think I know of even one thing that has done that.

Ventil · 11-28-2007, 11:30 AM

The Shuffle is great.
I plug it in, it charges up and reloads another Gig's worth of random tunes from my library.

I've "rediscovered" so many songs on the back of it.