It's not about what's better, it's about what feels right for the user. The thing is when Apple first released the iPhone they developed a relationship with literally millions of people. It took years for there to be a genuine competitor who could match the hardware and software advances Apple made. But by then Apple had garnered such a large customer base, each getting the type of customer service I described earlier, who became loyal to the company for not just the products but for the experience. The best customer is a loyal one. Samsung might make a good phone but they've never developed the type of customer loyalty Apple has, and more than likely never will.
I certainly agree with your points. The underlying meaning of this discussion is what I highlighted above, which is the point that I've been trying to figure out in regards to the iPhone. The question is, do we truly purchase products because they're better, or is there something about a product that fits our particular desires and creates a niche that we get accustomed to?
I have yet to see this happen with any other brand, and that's what strikes me most about Apple's success. It's remarkable, really, and you have to give credit where it's due. But at the end of the day, it says a lot more about consumers than it does about the company itself.
Interestingly, Apple was far superior when it released the original iPhone, and maybe it's responsible for the success of other companies as well; being the instigator of the smartphone era. I just never thought they would be able to stick to their original formula and thrive on incremental changes for so long, compared to other companies that make monumental changes in order to persuade the general smartphone audience.
What do you think?
Yes. It looked weird. I only knew one other person in my high school who had one...
Eventually I was able to get it to work via an update. It did last longer than all my firends ipods from the same year. Theirs all broke down. I was delighted my Dell was lasting longer and I was so proud of my self for
not jumping on the Apple bandwagon. I thought the Dell Jukebox had a bright future. Where Ipods were just a fad, and I was patiently waiting for the candle to blow out. But I underestimated Christmas and spoiled American teenagers. Eventually Dell discontinued it due to lack of sales. Mostly because colored ipods were a bigger hit, even though they were basically the same thing. Later on I was unable to connect it to my computer. Then it just finally stopped working all together. Even after a full charge the screen never came back on. Now it seems the ipods -by themselves- are a thing of the past as they have basically merged with the iphone.
I'm sure! Do you remember the Zune player released by Windows? That was the only MP3 player I had other than the iPod, and I returned it in exchange for the iPod Video.
I understand the mainstream audience you're referring to in terms of American teens, but personally the iPod video was very special to me. I still remember how many months I saved up for it, and even then I was taught to think in terms of practicality, so I've had that iPod ever since (I believe it's been 7 years now). It has a ridiculous amount of space, so I didn't see the point of having to get a new one or switching to the iPod Touch. Apple knew they had to drastically change the iPod and make it closer to the iPhone in order to appeal to users were sticking to their iPods, but I still didn't switch.
I also never understood why the newer colors were such a big hit, as I've always thought solids were more appealing. With that being said, despite me and many others who probably never upgraded or changed their devices frequently, you have to give Apple credit for being innovative and always finding a way to make the general public want to buy their latest products.
I just sit on the sidelines and watch with a bag of popcorn in my hand
Angry birds used to be on it! and I was never able to download it again - or ANY apps for that matter, regaurdless of it being wiped - because it required an apple update - IOS somthing - Which only came with the new ipods... What a waste! especially since it was only from 2009. So the ipod touch was reduced to only able to play songs... I think this was my main reason never to buy anything Apple after that experience 
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