The new iPod product line reminds me of the coca cola branding disaster of the 80s. The "classic" iPod's name is perceived as a prelude to death or at least something that will not develop any further. And the name "iPod touch" just, well, fizzles. And if you look at the iPod family picture, the touch looks totally out of place.
Hey, guys, what's up? Are the techies finally developing products faster than marketing can come up with names?
I think the problems mainly arise from the fact that the iPhone is called, well, the iPhone
. Now the iPod touch is clearly in the same family as the iPhone, but it is not a phone. Whooops. May I use your iPhone?
No, sorry, it's an iPod touch.
Well, whatever you want to call it, can I have it to make a call?
No.
What do you mean: No? I let you have my phone the other day...
Personally, I was waiting months now for a new flagship iPod, since my old 40GB model is full and also acting up a bit. So, I definitely was not interested in any 8 or 16 GB model, however cool the interface. My main use of the iPod is at home and in my car and on both places I want my complete music collection. Period.
Now I have ordered the 80GB classic (black), but I must say it feels totally unhipp, uncool, old school to order that very nice thing. And mainly for that "classic" branding. A disaster: my first uncool iPod.
Update (2007-09-11): People expect the Touch to behave like an iPhone.