Explain How the Ipod Is Helping Apple Achieve Increased Pc Sales

1. Explain how the iPod is helping Apple achieve increased PC sales.

iPod is not limited only to iMac, therefore, it became a PC peripheral. This strategic move gave opportunity to Apple to access broader market, because Apple took part into PC market.

2. What are the potential benefits and limitations of licensing the iPod software to other MP3 manufacturers?

Limitation is mostly about the challenge of property solution (music on iPod cannot be played on non-Apple devices). One of the potential benefit is the fact that iPod could become a dominant platform in MP3players. Apple most likely have to change their hardware exclusivity and license their technology to the mass market.

3. The iPod is facing fierce competition from all quarters: Sony, Dell and other electronics firms as well as cellphone makers who are incorporating MP3 players into their devices. How can Apple compete?

Due to the fact that Apple has unique software, it could be in competition for really long time. Also there are iPhone and iPod touch that could be a future for iPod line. What is more, licensing the technology would increase the competition in the market.

4. What about longer-term success? How can Apple influence future technology developments or establish strategic alliances to ensure it is a dominant force in the new hand-held device that will incorporate both the cellphone and MP3 player?

It's hard to predict what could be in the future market, because everything is changing really fast. Apple established strategic alliance with Motorola, which gave opportunity to use iTunes technologies for Motorola to infix the position in the market.

5. Can Apple adopt a 'BMW strategy' (BMW strategy is to target high-premium segments) for the PC market and MP3 market?

In my opinion, Apple could adopt a "BMW strategy" because Apple is also aiming to target high-premium segments (for example, iMac).

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Apple approach to launching a new product at Apple users first and then the larger Microsoft Windows users second?

Advantages:

* Apple is aiming to get a greater audience, not only Apple users

* Apple is making their customers somehow unique, so this is good customer approach.

Disadvantages:

* Competitors could copy the product and there is no need in Apple product.

* Competitor's customers could be not interested in new product as far as they don't use iOS.

* Could become niche product/

7. The launch of the