19th
Apple Wanted to Milk iPod nano Buyers
See AppleInsider: Microsoft may have thrown Apple an iPod nano headache
The article reveals speculation that Apple intended to keep the nano at the capacity and price points as last year’s model (4GB for $149, 8GB for $199), making it the first time in history that the nano didn’t double the capacity with a new generation.
It is obvious Apple is as willing as companies like Microsoft to behave in an entirely monopolistic way once they (think) have a hold on the market.
Prices of flash memory used in the nano approximately halves each year, so Apple has always been doubling storage capacity to provide some value. Now that flash memory is more affordable, unlike in 2004 when the nano was first introduced, Apple seems less and less willing to pass these savings to consumers.
That also explains why the iPhone is still stuck at 16GB a year later and its cousin the iPod touch is still stuck at 32GB. Apple is not about to make the touch as affordable as the nanos either, because they know they can milk the touch since there is no similar competition out there.
Competition is beyond good. Its saintly.
