my opinion about the new "iPod socks"

[lpdude]

ok, i will start off by saying that i dont mean to be cynical, and that i love my ipod. i also am a fan of apple, but sometimes they make no sense and kinda #### me off. so i checked my email today, and i got a email from apple talking about their enews. i briefly skimmed it, figuring there was nothing good in it, until something caught my eye. iPod socks. At first i thought it was a joke, but after i visited the ipod store, i came to the sad truth that it was no joke. apple is indeed selling socks for the ipod. as if the idea wasnt bad enough, the price totally kills it. 30 BUCKS FOR SIX FREAKIN SOCKS!!! thats five whoppin dollars per sock! before i got my case for my 4gen, i actually used one of my socks to protect my ipod. and instead of it costing me 30 bux, it costed me absolutely nothing. yes, these new socks are colored and have the apple logo, but if that matters to u so much, then go to target and get a pair of colored socks for 3 dollars, and then draw the apple logo on them. not to mention the fact that if u really wanna spend thirty dollars, u might as well spend it on a real case that will actually protect ur ipod. if u ask me, apple should be working on firmware upgrades for the 4th gen and making it so there is no pause in between songs, instead of inventing these stupid ### things that no one needs. so thats just my two cents on the subject, i would like to know what urs are.

[steel102]

agreed

[Netty]

They're cute but what you said is true. too much money for socks

[-James]

Yer, in my opinion apple seems to be getting a bit carried away with the iPod's success. They seem to think that anything related to the iPod will sell, no matter what the price is - even $30 socks.

[MikeM]

Maybe if I coud wear them on my feet too... :D

[aquatika]

Learn to knit and save a few quid. It's a dying art you know.

Apple would have to give them away for free before I'd use those.

Knitters unite !!!

[nagromme]

It's weird to make you buy 6 if you only want 1 or 2 colors, but... don't buy it then. Some people like them. A sack to throw in a pocket or bag is a useful option but there are zillions of other cases out there if you want something different.

And $5 per sock isn't any more overpriced than lots of NON-Apple accessories for phones, iPods, PDAs, etc. So why should Apple try selling an accessory of their own? It will sell or it won't, no big earthshaking issue worth getting mad and swearing about, or coming to judgments about Apple being some kind of bad company for it.

Personally I don't like them, they don't even come to my heel.

[lpdude]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lpdude
[B] i also am a fan of apple, but sometimes they make no sense and kinda #### me off.

i didn't say they are a bad company. my main point was that i wish they would spend there time doing something useful instead of knitting socks. and i agree with james shadow in saying that apple thinks that anything they make for an ipod will automatically sell. as long as its got the apple logo and it says its for apple, it will sell. i just wish they would use their resources better. sorry if i got a little carried away:D

[nagromme]

It's not TOO carried away, depending what that #### might be hiding :D

Don't worry about Apple's resources though, I'm sure the people who design (and knit) socks are not programmers or hardware devs being pulled off of other projects :)

[lpdude]

ya thats true, but i usually try to put a logical reason behind my anger, so that i dont sound so stupid when i complain about stuff. oh and the word those pund signs are hiding is ####. i cant believe that word is censored. what is this world coming to if i cant even mention a natural bodily function in a forum.

{Edit by Andyh}: Do not try and circumvent the language filter. It is there for a reason. Doing this again in the future could cause you to be banned from posting on iPodlounge.

[BlackCapricorn]

They are meant to be fun, and it's half taking the #### / half true. If you had seen the last press conference of Apple u'd have understood the spirit.

They ARE NOT interested in making cases for ipod cause as they said "there are so many companies doing them out there that they must profit more from them then apple from ipods..."

This is a product meant to be fun, and at this point i'm surprised you still didn't get that - no matter how much they're doing to make it universal and deliver products to the masses - Apple IS STILL a luxury brand, and part of an elite.

I'm sure there are many people out there that don't bother paying 30 dollars for the socks. Not that i think it's a fair price myself, but it's Apple and u pay the brand, besides i obviously trust them to be perfect and good quality material, not necessarily cheap socks to wear on ur feet that u bought on the market.

And i actually find them really cute myself and intend to buy them.

But now i was just thinking, why such an anger and complaining so much? It's not like they're shoving them down your throat or something, not like u have to buy them...

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by BlackCapricorn
But now i was just thinking, why such an anger and complaining so much? It's not like they're shoving them down your throat or something, not like u have to buy them... I can't speak for the original poster, but I can throw in my own ideas:

It's the contempt shown by Apple introducing something that might be fun but at such a ridiculous price point. There's just no call for the price point on most of the Apple iPod accessories and the socks are in a special class of "just no call".

The iPod is at a odd fulcrum point of cultural saturation. It could tip the wrong direction for Apple and become completley uncool if people begin to see it more as a marketing icon instead of a genuine cultural icon. Marketing something like the socks because of their price point is something that tips perception the wrong way.

[BlackCapricorn]

Originally posted by Code Monkey
Marketing something like the socks because of their price point is something that tips perception the wrong way.

I don't think the socks will even get to the majority of people tbh. They're not a key product and will probably just go missnoted by the majority of people, it's just Apple fans and lovers like us that are really taking notice...

[KEZLA]

Love the idea hate the price, perhaps any knitters out there could have a go and sell them to people instead? Just a thought. Although if u have the cash they are a good gift for the person whos got it all at xmas i suppose, bit of a novelty luxury.

[FlyingJenny]

I love them and ordered the socks as soon as they were available on Apple's site. I use an iSee clear case by Contour Designs for my 4G 20GB, but I still hesitate to just throw the iPod in my purse. The socks will give it that little bit of extra protection, and I can choose a different color each day to match my mood. How fun! I was thrilled to see that my socks were shipped out today when they were not estimated to ship until early December. Go Apple!

[SnappleApple]

I would like one to put my ipod in when I leave the house in Jan. and it's -5 out.

But.

I dont want 6 pairs.

Apple should sell them individually for 4.99 a pop. I want the blue one and I would buy it...but I'm not buying a pink and and orange and all the others....I have no use for them.

[nagromme]

Originally posted by Code Monkey
It's the contempt shown by Apple introducing something that might be fun but at such a ridiculous price point.

I've mentioned that I think bundling the whole set will make many buyers not interested.

But how is $5 per sleeve so outrageous as to be "ridiculous" and "showing contempt?" That's on the CHEAP side for cases for iPods--or PDAs or phones for that matter. Obviously it should be cheap since they're simple. But would $3.49 somehow not be so offensive? We're not talking big bucks here. We ARE talking impulse sales to people already getting an iPod. Why not?

[crazy_azz_mat]

ya like a few dollar difference per sock from a store sock to the apple sock doesnt really matter. the figures are insignificant to the problem. where else can u pick up a case under 10 - 20$? the only downfall though is you cant purchase them individually.

[jessica.]

I love them. I find them to be very cute and I do think they're over priced. They offer nothing but scratch protection and you have to slip them out of the sock each time you want to mess with your ipod. But they're a novelty and novelty items sell. I just bought a lajo skin so I won't be getting the socks, but I do think they're cute. I kept my ipod in a sock at night while listening to it in bed, so it makes sense.

[pank2002]

I like foofpods better. Otherwise, I really like the simplicity, but I'll get an foofpod instead.

Check: www.foofpod.com

[nagromme]

I went with PodSleevz -- usable through the sleeve, plus a window :) Hasn't arrived yet but they sound good on paper...

http://www.radtech.us/Products/Podsleevz.aspx

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by nagromme
But how is $5 per sleeve so outrageous as to be "ridiculous" and "showing contempt?" They're socks not sleeves, they're not even full length socks. Just because you size them for an iPod doesn't make their manufacture any different than the billions of socks produced annually for a pittance. Six socks = 3 pairs, for $10/pair those socks had better have something more going for them an Apple logo. I buy high quality name brand sports socks for $15 for 6 pairs, that's 2X as many, 3X more fabric, & 1/2 the cost. It's like the slap in the face of the $30 arm band that probably costs them about $1 to make. If they charged these sorts of premiums for our iPods we'd need to mortgage the home to buy a 20 GB.

[nagromme]

You're probably kidding, but just in case... I believe that choosing a name "Socks" and a fabric style to match does NOT mean Apple can buy these in bulk from the same assembly lines that make REAL socks :D I'd guess that when you make something out of sock-like material but in a different shape and new colors, it DOES make their manufacture different :)

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by nagromme
You're probably kidding, but just in case... I believe that choosing a name "Socks" and a fabric style to match does NOT mean Apple can buy these in bulk from the same assembly lines that make REAL socks :D I'd guess that when you make something out of sock-like material but in a different shape and new colors, it DOES make their manufacture different :) No, I'm serious, it is the same sort of manufacturing machines that are making the Apple socks and the ones on your feet, or do you think Apple started up their very own little Chinese sweat shop full of grannies and little girls with knitting needles? Apple gave the specs of size to an already existing manufacturer and, voila, iPod socks/sleeves, whatever you want to call them.

You can think $30/3 pairs of socks is reasonable because Apple made them, I think it's a slap in the face of everybody that likes their iPod. I also think the price of the dock, the armband, and their case is outrageous as well, I just happen to think the socks really go over the line into "execs secretly laugh at us" territory.

[miketex]

It's a free market economy....... Apple is a business selling products to make money........ not a social agency providing health care and food for the needy. If they want to market gold plated socks with Gucci fabric at $2000 each, that's their choice....... as it is ours not to buy them if we don't think it's the best use of the money we earn.

iPods are fun, cool....... and a luxury item. Perspective.

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by miketex
iPods are fun, cool....... and a luxury item. Perspective. Exactly, perspective; perspective tells me Apple takes their customers for granted and thinks they're so stupid as to pay $30 for 3 pairs of socks ;)

Also, if you think we have a free market I've got a few million acres of prime real estate to sell cheap.

When you just shrug off how much a company doesn't value you then you're just asking to get taken advantage of. Apple is already doing the bare minimum in terms of features on their products, being happy to max out their profits due to the uninformed nature of the majority of their customers.

I don't like Apple, I make no secret of it, so I'm not going to laugh at something so insulting as the iPod socks in a thread dedicated to bashing them :D

[toothpaste]

This is my take on it. Please be patient as I go off and into the deep end.

1. There is a sucker born every minute. That includes all the sock owners.
2. Why just socks? Why not boxers or briefs?
3. How about igloves? "it's a glove for your ipod" - apple advertisement.

I'm in a process of developing "ibottle" (patent pending). it's a 2-liter bottle of whatever you like. coke, pepsi, sprite...whatever. I will be selling these for $29.95.

Taking pre-orders now! Dont be the last fool, I mean, person on your block to own one! Ibottle+ipod the ultimate combo.

[brendan67]

total rip off from apple

how come u always get folk sticking up for apple on this forum
it boils down to money and how much they get from u.

somebody says its just a bit of fun - if thats the case why are they not free
to everybody that buys an ipod. oh no - its not that much fun - just give us money

[yinyang]

yet another perspective....

http://www.apple-x.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1217

[lpdude]

i like what code monkey is saying (mostly cuz it is agreeing what i am saying). if we buy this stuff from apple, they will soon jack the price up on everything, cuz they will have learned that we as concumers are stupid enough to waste our money on this.

[Borrador]

1. I'm glad I live in a country where people can buy iPod socks.
2. I'm glad I live in a country where people can call people who buy them foolish.
3. I'm glad I live in a country where I can own the things I own (e.g. an iPod).
4. I'm glad I live in a country where people can tell me I'm foolish for owning one.
5. I'm glad I live in a country where I can choose not to care about the people who consider me foolish.

This thread has been a lot of fun to follow.

[lpdude]

yes isnt all that what makes this country great? ive enjoyed watching this thread. i usually never start a good long thread. woo hoo.

[nagromme]

The most upsetting thing about iPod socks is how the evil Apple MAKES you buy them ;) I think I'll lose at least a week of sleep over this :D

[Borrador]

I have lined my Terry Labonte cap with aluminum foil. It really cuts down on my buying because the "Buy This" beams that come from my television can't reach my brain anymore. Otherwise I'm sure I would own a set of iPod socks for my iPod.

My wife and I started lining our hats after I felt liked I needed to talk to my mom about not feeling fresh and my wife wanted to go to the doctor to see about getting a perscription for Viagra.

It was then we knew that EVIL Apple, EVIL Massengil, and EVIL Pfizer was after us.

[lpdude]

HAHA wow Borrador i seriously hope ur not serious. but if there really were "buy this" beams, i guess tinfoil would be the only way to stop them. and since companies probably will be able to zap u into buying their products in the future, i guess ur ready and ahead of the curve. way to go.

[iJeff]

Dirty secrets of iPod Socks :D

http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyimages/617.png

[lpdude]

wow, all i can say is that some people have WAY too much time on their hands.

[Jackus]

GOOD JOT... :p

[cpn.luckycharms]

although this subject has been posted many times before...

I agree, its almost pathetic that apple needs to sell socks...
I have a feeling it will fail miserably...

[cpn.luckycharms]

Originally posted by lpdude
yes isnt all that what makes this country great? ive enjoyed watching this thread. i usually never start a good long thread. woo hoo.

would'nt call 3 pages long my friend...

[perfmode]

Originally posted by iJeff
Dirty secrets of iPod Socks :D

http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyimages/617.png

Oh the huge manatee!!!!!!!

[openpoop]

woot! I got my socks today!

yes, I am a moron.

Also, they are sooper cute, you know. overpriced, yes, but cute nonetheless. i think they are sort of small, but they look good on my blue mini. How do I know, because I can see through socks and sundry sock-like material.

frankly, i would have been happier with a spongebob mini ipod squarepants case.

[Cubbies2166]

I agree this is a very dumb idea.

[FlyingJenny]

Got my socks today and I love them. They fit right over my iSee clear case and look great. I know some people on here think that they are stupid and frivolous, and I think that is why I like them- they are a complete luxury item and are cute, and I can use a different color every day.

[allisonv7]

If anyone who bought the socks wants to get rid of the green one let me know, I'm looking to buy it :)

AIM: allisonv7

Thanks,

Allison.

[justviolin]

interesting opinions. i agree with the apple socks being expensive and having to buy all the colors. for me...i'd lose some and have no place to store them at home.

but then the people that were talking about knitting...

i have opened a website where i will custom make you an ipod sock.

these ipod socks of mine range from $5-12 each (free shipping) depending on what you would like - (stripes, button closure, drawstring, personalized with names or initials, felt flames or bunny ears or fangs or anything just about that you'd like. etc.) - and are knitted of a much thicker yarn. which actually protects your ipod as well.

Edited to remove link

[jwc110869]

I think Code Monkey is the spear head of the emotion Apple has the ability to produce in people. If Microsoft made socks, no one would say a word. The best thing you could do is not buy them if you don't like them.

I would buy one (maybe one for my brother too) but not 6. Selling them for $6 of $7 each would really make them true "impulse" buys.

[lpdude]

actually, if miocrosoft made one, i would still think its pretty dumb. brands dont really make a difference to me, but a product or idea does.

[jwc110869]

Originally posted by lpdude
actually, if miocrosoft made one, i would still think its pretty dumb. brands dont really make a difference to me, but a product or idea does.

You might still think its dumb, but I doubt you would start a thread about it...........................

Apple is one of the best companies in the world at instilling emotion in their products, be it good or bad. You just fell in the corporate trap a bit.

[lpdude]

ya i wouldnt start a thread about it, because this is an ipod forum, not a microsoft forum. but i guarantee u if i WAS in a microsoft forum, and they made socks for their mp3 players, i would whine about those to

[lpdude]

but i like ur profile, thats pretty clever. calvin and hobbes is freakin awesome

[jwc110869]

Thank you........................

Now let me ask you this question. Do you go to Microsoft forums? Does anybody go to Microsoft forums? I'll bet not many, considering how much Microsoft stuff is out there. Apple inspires much more; look at how many members are here.

[lpdude]

i know, im not talking smack about apple, or at least i am not trying to convey that i dont like apple. i do like apple, or else i wouldnt have bought an ipod. although i will admit that i do like microsoft better, since i have windows, i have nothing against apple and i dont understand why people are so passionate about windows vs. mac and all that crap. if u ask me, those ppl need to get a life. i did a google search on "microsoft forums", and ur right, there arent many or any. but that doesnt mean that they are a bad company, and having a million forums doesnt make another company a good one. i dont know if that is relevant or makes any sense, but i was just trying to throw in my opinion about the ipod socks. lemme know what u think

[jwc110869]

Originally posted by lpdude
i know, im not talking smack about apple, or at least i am not trying to convey that i dont like apple. i do like apple, or else i wouldnt have bought an ipod. although i will admit that i do like microsoft better, since i have windows, i have nothing against apple and i dont understand why people are so passionate about windows vs. mac and all that crap. if u ask me, those ppl need to get a life. i did a google search on "microsoft forums", and ur right, there arent many or any. but that doesnt mean that they are a bad company, and having a million forums doesnt make another company a good one. i dont know if that is relevant or makes any sense, but i was just trying to throw in my opinion about the ipod socks. lemme know what u think

Hey, I'm a Wintel user too, and I'm not defending or attacking the Mac platform. Your Google search just proved my point that eventhough Microsoft can be so in control of the PC market, yet Apple has most of the "Emotional Support" of the users of their products. Now do a Google search on Mac Forums.

[cpn.luckycharms]

Yeah. Exactly, look at the new iMac's selling pictures... They all say "from the creators of the iPod" They are instilling the comfort and security they find in an iPod, that maybe they will find the same in an Apple computer.

[lpdude]

by saying "from the creators of ipod" they are riding on the best mp3 player on the market. they will not let their future or present customers forget that they are the ones who came up with the "great ipod". i think by saying that, they are saying that they only have one good product, and that they are gonna use that forever to sell their new products

[cpn.luckycharms]

And a touching motto it is... Isn't it?

[meandthesea]

Also, incase you still haven't noticed much like Dell in the pc world, Apple is all about making you spend spend spend spend spend.

They dont sell the 4G eitha dock or even a carrying case anymore, they tell you the only way to charge while transfering is to buy the 40 dollar dock, tis is not true, your iPod charges when hooked up via usb 2.0.

So it didn't suprise me

[cpn.luckycharms]

I don't think Apple said that, or would ever say that.

[meandthesea]

check apple.com it will say
"want to charge while you transfer (or something of that effect pehaps worded slightly different)
and then offers the dock as the solution.

[lpdude]

maybe they just meant if u wanna charge faster, cuz im pretty sure the usb cable isnt as efficient as the actual charger

[megahurt]

Wow...

Ok, I will be buying the iPod socks for my new 60 gb iPod Photo.

I don't usually like cases because at least 99% of them take away from the look and/or the functionality of the iPod itself. I want a "case" that protects the iPod from scratches as it slides around in my bag or rides in my coat pocket. The socks will protect from scratches while being super easy to insert and remove my iPod.

And honestly, anyone crying about $30 needs to go get a job.

[zerock]

i will get this, and if the price is a problem just buy split it with a friend.

[Squeeks]

Originally posted by megahurt
And honestly, anyone crying about $30 needs to go get a job.


I agree 30 dollars isn't that bad but I wouldn't get socks for an iPod either, for me an iPod is a little to valuable to protect with a sock.

[Tomo_kun]

Originally posted by Squeeks
I agree 30 dollars isn't that bad but I wouldn't get socks for an iPod either, for me an iPod is a little to valuable to protect with a sock.

You dont understand the fact that its THIRTY DOLLARS FOR SOCKS. Thats *overprised* for the materials and labor in the socks. There is no reason for them to be thirty dollars, and thats overprised.

[megahurt]

Originally posted by Tomo_kun
You dont understand the fact that its THIRTY DOLLARS FOR SOCKS. Thats *overprised* for the materials and labor in the socks. There is no reason for them to be thirty dollars, and thats overprised.

Take your 30 bucks and put it toward the $59.99 it takes to get started HERE. (http://www.hop.com) Hopefully that won't be too OVERPRICED for you.

"Overprised" (as you call it) is a relative term. To me, it is worth paying. For the large majority of computer users in the world, Apples computers are indeed overpriced. But for me, it is worth the cost because I like the product enough to pay for it. If you can't afford the socks, don't buy em. Once you get your writing skills on track you can land a better job and you won't have to cry about spending $30.

[i_am_petro]

Here's an idea... why not just buy some socks, cut them in half, and sew up the open edge. ipod socks - done. no shipping, no waiting, no $30 socks.

[iStop]

First of all, Megahurt, that link was hilarious! It actually made me "lol".

*Sigh*.. good one.

Anyways! I just read through every page in this thread.

Apple iPod Socks. Hmmm. Either you like them and buy them, or don't like them and not buy them. What's so tough about that? Apple is not taking advantage over iPod users, are they? You don't HAVE to buy the socks for your iPod to function properly. It's just business, it's a novelty item.


They will appeal to some users, and will not to others.

Trust me when I say this, Apple knows what they're doing.

I'm an Apple lover (Actually switched from PC, and own an iBook), but I would not purchase these. I don't need them considering I have about 4 different cases for my iPod. However, if I needed one, I'd buy them.

30$ isn't even a dent my wallet