iPhone

Pros and cons on the new iPod video

The reviews so far explain that the quality of the image of the new iPod is very good and even the texts are highly visible. Still, the usage of the new device is more confusing. While some critics say that it revolutions the concept of iPod, which till now, it just meant hearing and not watching, as well, others sustain that the item is not that practical. Due to the fact that watching movies is a relaxant activity which requires a comfortable space and a certain amount of time, the iPod seems to promote the idea of watching movies on the run, while walking or doing some other activity. Even more, some people prefer to live the movie, with a wide screen in front of them, in the movie theatre or in their home. So, the idea of the iPod basically limits to watching music video clips or short episodes of comedy series. Even more, the battery of the new model of iPod dies after 2 hours of playing, which, in case of many movies, is not enough time to end. Still, while waiting at a line in the city or while sitting in the cab during a long ride, the iPod definitely provides the best way to spend the time.

On the other hand, the new iPod is not all about playing movies or videos. Even thought the battery works perfectly for just 2 hours when playing a movie constantly, the estimated battery life is 20 hours (when listening to music), in comparison with the 16 hours that the last model of iPods offered, which is a big plus. Even more, the new iPod video has the largest color screen since the appearance of the devices in 2001, which can be used, besides playing videos, for a good visibility of the pictures and an increased sharpness of the text; plus, the new iPod video provides full-size thumbnails for photos imported from various cameras. Another plus in accessories is the protection sleeve for the main device, which comes as a result after iPod nano, meaning the previous generation of these product, which was easy to scratch. The sleeve is made of a synthetic material, in a pale nuance of grey with visible stitching and a velour-like inner surface. Besides the technical and practical qualities, the reviews also discuss about the new aspect of the device, which looks sharper and more elegant, in black and white colors.

The new model of iPod shows, without any doubt, that the popular company and brand Apple are trying to evolve in order to satisfy the consumer’s needs, which are becoming more and more pretentious. Based on this, it is expected the new type of iPods to be improved even more with new video settings and accessories.

Reviews about iPod video

The reviews usually point out the amazement and the great success concerning the new iPod video, but also highlight some aspects that may contribute to its improvement. For example, the great advantage of connecting the iPod video to the TV set and playing the videos on it is well-received. But on the other hand, the fact that the iPod video cannot be connected to the computer is seen as a disadvantage. The transfer from iPod to computer is not possible and this fact may be a suggestion for the designers and creators of the iPod video.

Some customers are in love with this device because of the possibility of watching the favorite TV shows and ABC hits like “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives” even in the road. The stress of loosing the relaxing TV show or film may be very unpleasant especially in the case of difficult days at work. Therefore, the possibility of watching them on an iPod video is an excellent idea. Besides, the iPod video matches the crazy contemporary lifestyle, giving the opportunity of checking the e-mail, of finding out the time in other cities very useful especially in the case of people that travel a lot.

Satisfaction and pleasant remarks are the main notes for the new iPod video, as it is really a great product. The fact that it has more features, more quality, longer battery life and smaller dimensions, thinner display is enjoyed a lot. A small disadvantage, compared to the great new benefits, is the fact that the images, photos from the iPod video transferred to the TV set are too bright, although very clear and nice.

Another great advantage is the fact that the customers may listen to the music over 14 hours (it depends on the model). But the reviews point out a disadvantage – the fact that the video playback time is only 2 hours. Another disadvantage is the fact that the iTunes from the iTunes Music Store are too expensive, but taking into account the great quality of the sound this may not be such a great disadvantage. Besides, the equalizer may be set for a better quality sound.

Some other reviews highlight the fact that the screen quality is clear and maybe clearer than of the most TV sets. This aspect may be put together with the fact that the screen is better and bigger although the display is smaller and thinner.

A special attention may be paid to the fact that, as in other cases, some defect items may be in sale, but it may be exchanged within 14 days. Another disadvantage that completes the fact that the iPod video cannot be connected to the computer is that it doesn’t work well with wireless FM transmitters. This problem may be also managed with a cassette adapter for the iPod so that it would work great.

Unresponsiveness and freezing video images are other problems mentioned in the user reviews. Hardware problems and the low quality of some songs may be other possible problems according to the reviews of the customers. These aspects seem to point out the fact that this technology is not mature enough and the new iPod video is from some point of view an experiment and a way of testing the market.

Anyway, the fact that the new iPod video has reduced dimensions and may fit any pocket. Besides, the high resolution and the great quality of the songs are exclusive advantages and are mentioned by the customers with joy and satisfaction.

The advertising campaigns of iPod and iPod video

The first campaigns concentrated upon the new product promoted both the iPod and iTunes brands. These advertising campaigns were leaded by the slogan A thousand songs, in your pocket, which was launched in November 2001. The colors which were selected for the first iPod campaigns were brisk and full of live: turquoise, cyclamen, bright grass green and other joyful nuances were chosen to represent the idea of both music and video, meaning both visual and auditory sensations. The wrap advertising was used, at the same time with the other and more traditional types of BTL advertising: there were various light rail wraps in busy centers or midtowns, using the same visual message as the banners. Large banners and billboards were displayed in various busy centers, with high visibility. The promotion was intense, forward and dynamic, with only intense and optimum quality for all the elements: the colors were vivid, the actual ads were large and the represented images were dynamic. The TV ads were concentrated upon the idea of music, dancing and mobility and the text of these was just limited to the slogan of the product and of the Apple brand (Think clear).

In 2003, the new advertising campaign that Apple introduced was due to the conjunction with the launch of the iTunes music store. The campaign concentrated mostly on the interpretation of popular songs by different persons wearing iPods. This campaign was a big hit, due to the fact that it was based on famous pop, rock and hip hop songs, belonging to artists such as Eminem or Pink.

Later that year, in October 2003, iPod released a new series of ads, based on the silhouette campaign, which was the base for most of the print ads, like banners, billboards and wraps, even from the appearance of the first generation of iPods: the images basically showed black silhouettes of people dancing while wearing iPods. This new campaign was realized based on the same intense colors and dynamic images like the first campaign. Even more, the success of the campaign was owed to the popularity of the performed music, such as The Vines’ Ride, The Caesars’ Jerk it Out, Gorillaz’ Feel Good Inc., Steriogram’s Walkie-Talkie Man, Jet’s Are You Gonna Be My Girl, Propellerheads’ Take California, Ozomatli’s Saturday Night, N*E*R*D’s Rock Star (Jason Nevin’s Mix), Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out or Daft Punk’s Technologic.

With the release of the new iPod video, the image of the product and its promotion began to change. The slogan of the new product was One more thing…, meaning the new and expected video feature, which was a big plus comparing with the latest model of 2005. The ads for this new product were focused on the video playing capabilities of the device. Actually, the ad featured U2’s Original of the Species from the Vertigo: Live From Chicago DVD. Based on the same idea, there were 2 more videos which featured Eminem and Wynton Marsalis. Still, at the same time, the ad which was presenting the dancing silhouettes continued, but it was modified into something more representative for the new video device: the backgrounds were not simple vivid colors anymore, they were textured and had various patterns, symbolizing the evolution concerning the image and the video properties of the new model of iPod. The 2 variants of the videos featuring the 2 popular artists ranged from an orange urban theme of the hip hop music to a cool blue one of the jazz look.

The latest iPod ad, released in March 2006 is not based on the silhouette style anymore; instead, the producers opted for a video showing various CD covers, integrating in an iPod nano, under the same older slogan A thousand songs, in your pocket.