January 30, 2005
iPod Socks: Colorful Footwear for Your Apple iPod--"iSocks," Anyone?
Okay, so what was the brainstorm session like that gave birth to this cute and absurd accessory? Like just about everything that Apple makes, we feel strangely compelled to run out to the nearest Apple Store right away and spend money on it. (Damn you, Apple!)
The "Socks" sell in packages of six in an equal number of bright colors for $29.00 and will fit all iPod models from 1G to 4G. As the product copy says on the Apple Web site, "Dress your iPod up in any one of six vibrant color socks (green, purple, grey, blue, orange, and pink). This set of knit socks provides a stylish, fun, and practical way to protect your iPod. Fits all iPods."
But as if that wasn't enough, Apple goes out of the way to make it clear how to use the socks by adding: "Forgive us if we're stating the obvious, but here's how it works: Just slide your iPod into the sock to keep it safe and warm. Slide it out to dock or change playlists. It's as easy as... putting on a pair of socks."
No kidding. (You could probably actually wear them on your feet, too!)
The idea of an accessory for protecting your iPod isn't new. As we've seen, the design and manufacture of iPod cases is in itself a growth industry. What's novel and, depending on your point of view, either clever or nauseating is the brand/product naming: "Socks." Well, technically, "iPod Socks." Each sock even has its own prominently placed Apple logo tag.
This Socks idea is good. It's DAMN good! In fact, it's fucking brilliant! This might actually sell quite well ... I mean--damnit!--dress me in all-black right now, give me a British accent and a RISD degree, move me to Cupertino, California and give me the credit for this product concept! (And while we're making demands, give me a promotion and a raise, too.)
(Of course, we're sure a certain insanely great, mock-turtle-neck-and-blue-jeeans-wearing vegetarian CEO/genius had something to do with the final approval of iPod Socks product line.)
No diss intended to folks who work at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino. After all, we've spent enough money on Apple Computer products over the years to pay the Ivy League education of several children. (Ahem ... not our children--we don't have kids--but hypothetical children. But we did, they'd use Apple products, too--but we digress.)
Apple's exceptional hardware and sofware has served us exceptionally well. They just keep getting better (case in point, the remarkably crash-free OS X and Airport Express). There are few exceptional issues (iPod battery replacement) that continue to be a thorn in our side.
Apple never ceases to innovate with technology and design in big, important ways, as well as (as the iPod Socks suggest) ridiculously small ways. You could make a strong argument that Apple has continued to innovate as importantly in its marketing, from its groundbreaking "1984" commercial introducing the Macintosh computer to its "Think Different" campaign to its instantly recognizable ads for iTunes and iPod.
Now if only they could do something honorable about dealing with that iPod battery-life/replacement problem. Then the "iLife" would be several steps closer to perfection.
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Posted by typhoon at January 30, 2005 12:04 PM
