Apple's iPod

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the iPod relates to several levels of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs especially "social esteem" and "self-actualization" by creating a self-tailored musical experience. The author points out that, by launching a new technology, Apple created a perception of greater quality in the iPod by making the iPod synonymous with downloadable music. The paper relates that youth-friendly companies, such as Nike, took advantage of the workout friendly design of the iPod; and such unlikely companies, such as BMW tried to associate the compact, sleek design of the 'pod' with their own products.

From the Paper:

"Downloadable music on the iPod is one way cyberspace allows music to be personalized. Rather than listening to a predetermined set of music on a CD, one can select the order and artists. The experience of listening to music becomes about the consumer rather than the artist. Usually, the move from the real to the ideal self is accomplished in advertising by stressing, however gently, that the consumer must change by adopting a new product affiliation to become an ideal. However, the iPod stresses that the consumer is already the 'ideal' in terms of his or her tastes, talents, and desires. Thus, the iPod enables the consumer to function as the ideal self, by confirming the consumer's already existing needs and wants through a personal musical play list. Rather than learning more about new artists, the consumer learns more about his or her own tastes by creating his or her own mix."

More papers on Apple's iPod:

• Essay # 89581 : "The Apple iPod"
• Analytical Essay # 142930 : "iPod and ThinkPad"
• Analytical Essay # 134363 : "Commodity Chain of the iPod"
• Term Paper # 109334 : "Apple's iPod"

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