Regarding TV adoption vs. iPod, the author surely understands that the population of the United States has roughly doubled since 1950. A much better comparison of iPod vs. TV adoption would be the number of units per capita (which still leaves Apple with an impressive winner).
I don't get it... news like this then the stock drops a buck. same thing happened post-Q4 earnings.
I hate Wall Street.
4 also long AAPL 2
Not only has the US population grown significantly since 1950, the comparison between sells of TVs and iPods is one of apples and oranges. You're comparing TVs sold just in the United States to iPods sold world-wide -- a significant difference. In any case, you're absolutely correct in your main point -- a lot of iPods have been sold.
I completely agree that population has grown since the 1940. Further, the iPod is a much cheaper device. TVs were $150-$500 when the annual income was $2,000-$4,000 a year. iPods are a much smaller percentage of the average income, and therefore, should be an easier purchase.
But as others have pointed out, that doesn't diminish the amazing rate of adoption of the iPod. I could have compared it to DVD players that took almost 10 years to reach the same level of penetration. But to me, TVs are really the gold standard of consumer electronics adoption.
Thanks for all your comments!
Carl
I am not amazed at the growth rate of iPods because for 15 years before the Sony Walkman paved the way. It was not hard to convince people that something like an iPod was worth owning.
The amazing story here is how Apple was able to keep such a high market share. Not the rate consumers snatched up MP3 Players.
Commenting by HaloScan
