Jobs: iPod Touch didn't get a camera for marketing, cost reasons

Jobs: iPod Touch didn't get a camera for marketing, cost reasons
Speaking to the New York Times, Apple CEO Steve Jobs revealed that the iPod Touch did not get a camera upgrade in the new 2009 iPod line-up for marketing and cost reasons. Basically, Jobs said that Apple is marketing the iPod Touch primarily as a gaming device now, and that it was important to be able to offer a relatively inexpensive portable device to compete in the market - a camera would apparently have caused some problems here.

The cheapest iPod Touch now costs $199, and includes 8GB of storage capacity. However, it should be noted that the latest iPod Nano models got a camera upgrade without having a negative effect on the price. Even outside Apple there are contradictory examples, such as the dual-screen, dual-camera Nintendo DSi, which sells for $170.



More possible bad news for anybody looking to buy an iPod Touch is that it appears the 8GB model might not be getting an upgraded processor and graphics capabilities like the iPhone 3GS, and the new 32GB and 64GB iPod Touch models.

"Originally, we weren't exactly sure how to market the Touch. Was it an iPhone without the phone? Was it a pocket computer? What happened was, what customers told us was, they started to see it as a game machine. We started to market it that way, and it just took off," Jobs said.

"And now what we really see is it's the lowest-cost way to the App Store, and that's the big draw. So what we were focused on is just reducing the price to $199. We don't need to add new stuff. We need to get the price down where everyone can afford it."

Written by: James Delahunty @ 10 Sep 2009 19:50
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  • 6 comments
  • Morreale

    If the iPod Touch is their "entry into the Gaming market", then perhaps there could be a console in the future, probably along with the future next gen. consoles? It looks like they're beginning to get more involved with the market... If they made a console, I would buy one just out of curiosity :P

    I wonder what they would charge for a console...

    10.9.2009 20:13 #1

  • Run4two

    Originally posted by Morreale: If the iPod Touch is their "entry into the Gaming market", then perhaps there could be a console in the future, probably along with the future next gen. consoles? It looks like they're beginning to get more involved with the market... If they made a console, I would buy one just out of curiosity :P

    I wonder what they would charge for a console...
    If it would be priced like their computers, Apple couldn't do it. You don't have enough arms and legs!

    10.9.2009 20:44 #2

  • ChiknLitl

    Cost is the most ridiculous argument Apple could have made. It is well known that their business model for the iPod gives them at least a 50% profit margin on every iPod sold!! These are older links below. And, yeah, yeah I know the arguments over R&D and advertising, but I simply make the profit margin argument to best the "prohibitive cost" argument about excluding the camera. ---Chikn

    http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2007/1...-once-again.ars

    http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/24/16-g...facturing-cost/

    10.9.2009 21:07 #3

  • Morreale

    Originally posted by Run4two:
    If it would be priced like their computers, Apple couldn't do it. You don't have enough arms and legs!
    I sure did when bought this iMac :P

    I've disliked Apple ever since though. I love my iMac (except you can't upgrade it), it's the nice white one (very last one). Ever since I bought it though, it seems it's been getting less support while they focus on crap like the iPhone. I like OS X but I wouldn't buy another one of their systems (they ugly now too). Next I'll make my own PC and install Hackintosh on it :)

    10.9.2009 21:07 #4

  • SSSJDanny

    iPod Touch didn't get a camera... because they wanna take more of your money in the next version of ipods when they come out.

    11.9.2009 03:24 #5

  • llongtheD

    Sure hope their marketing engine can keep up the facade of their products being the coolest/best. Without the hype, they won't have much to stand on.

    11.9.2009 20:57 #6

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