Apple intros $99 leather iPod case
Looks
like Apple wants to make sure to own a piece of every sector of the iPod accessory market. In addition to the $349 iPod Hi-Fi, the company also
announced its own $99 leather iPod case. Sure, it's a pretty basic sleeve, and only fits the iPod with video or nano,
but if you want an official Apple case with an Apple logo and "iPod" stamped on the front, this is the place
to go (though we hear there are some pretty convincing knockoffs available on Canal Street for about $15).
Filed under: Portable Audio
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Steve @ Feb 28th 2006 6:24PM
For site that so easily drops the hammer on the products it highlights, you were pretty easy on this incredibly overpriced accessory. Boo Engadget.
Micha @ Feb 28th 2006 6:26PM
What overprized POS is this? This is a greedy insult to the brand and to their loyal customers. It will continuously scratch the flawed and scratch-prone new iPod series by rubbing on the surface when it should have a design like the Agent18 product that has a lid and never submits the iPod to a gliding/rubbing impact. Furthermore what purpose has a carrying case where you neither see the display nor are able to use the wheel without taking it out completely? From an ergonomics/usability standpoint this is worth 0.99 $.
The perfect gift for Enron managers in prison.
ken fager @ Feb 28th 2006 6:51PM
Thoroughly disappointed. I'll be swinging by the Mayfair, WI Apple store in two weeks and will ask how many they're not selling.
sammy mazola jr @ Feb 28th 2006 7:37PM
DAMN YOU, STEVE JOBS!
I'll buy your $100 leather iPod sleeve BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE ME LIKE IT!
chadseld @ Feb 28th 2006 8:08PM
I know a 1 bedroom house in CA can now go for $500,000, but dingo's kidneys! $99!! Steve is going to get a rude awakening when the sales figures come in. I can't see ANYONE buying this thing. Ditto with the Hi-Fi and the $600-$800 mini. I predict this case and the Hi-Fi are canned this year and that the mini gets a price reduction.
oShun @ Feb 28th 2006 8:31PM
wow, that is the most ridiculous price I have ever seen. As a life-long Mac user I am completely disgusted by this. I think Steve J is banking on Apple's growing status as a cultural icon, but this type of pricing promises to alienate new and old users alike. Bad move. I guess the yuppies will buy it.
o rly @ Feb 28th 2006 8:52PM
Why is this so surprising to everyone? Look at the iPod, it has basic features and is very simple. You can't expect the formula that's been working for the many simpletons over the years to be changed.
Simple, decent looking, and highly overpriced for the features (or lack of)... sounds like an iPod and makes sense for the case.
A few groups should be blamed for expecting something big and overhyping it. The idiot iPod fanboys and the online media (Engadget is definitely blamed, just look at all the minute by minute coverage for today, they were obviously hoping to bust a huge story.)
wilson @ Feb 28th 2006 9:30PM
If anyone from Apple is reading these comments...take them to heart. Don't get cocky. We made you. We can break you. A loyal (but disappointed) fan.
sw @ Feb 28th 2006 9:44PM
Malibu Stacey just got a new hat
(sorry for the stupid Simpsons ref, but goddamn if it isnt dead-on)
Aaron @ Feb 28th 2006 11:01PM
I'll just continue to keep mine it my Genuine Leather Newton Case along with my PDA, several Pens, my Checkbook, Wireless Card.....
:-)
ron2 @ Feb 28th 2006 11:03PM
i would just buy a cow
play free games @ Feb 28th 2006 11:05PM
$99 is a steal. These are handmade by Ricardo Montalban and feature "rich Corinthian leather:!!!
Kahyaki @ Mar 1st 2006 12:22AM
A pair of Hard Leather boots cost around 190 USD. A very nice leather wallet: 80 USD.
This is a total overvaluation, and it is not an healthy attitude. I mean, do they really think just putting their logo on a piece of leather will increase its value up to five times???
They are making fun of their own loyal fan base.
JetJaguar @ Mar 1st 2006 12:31AM
I'm neither a fanboy nor a product owner, but even I've been swept up in the fevered speculation that's accompanied recent Apple product launches. However, I feel now that my addiction has been cured.
A leather case! A LEATHER CASE!!
JetJaguar @ Mar 1st 2006 12:47AM
... And in addition to my comments above, I think the leather case represents a 'Showgirls' moment rather than an example of shark-jumping.
'Showgirls' because Mr Verhoeven's masterwork was one of the examples of what happens when you get too big/full of yourself to hire people prepared to tell you "NO!!"
Makes you wonder what else has made it through quality control.
Oh, and one more thing... someone early (rightly) suggested that if you were outraged by a $99 leather case, then you probably weren't in the target demographic. But does anyone here know anyone who is?!
Z @ Mar 1st 2006 1:12AM
A Benjamin for a leather slip case?
That's retarded. Apple, your other products are great, but GET REAL. Your case is worth $10, MAX.
You want a nice leather case for your iPod Video? How about going here: "http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7573495&type=product&id=1129786255521"
It was $35, and what I bought for my 5th Gen iPod. I also bought a decal and screen protector (Screen Armor - Crystal Series) from DecalGirl just to keep the iPod's delicate finish extra protected before placing it inside the case (as I would with ANY case), and I'm still under $50 for the whole thing.
sammy mazola jr @ Mar 1st 2006 1:56AM
Christmastime must be a blast at the Jobs'.
Each year Stevie promises a 'fun' gift and each year you get socks.
daniel @ Mar 1st 2006 2:58AM
A pair of Premium Dress Gloves made with Lamb Leather and Italian Rabbit Fur Lined, Handsewn for $78,95 here: http://www.leatherglovesonline.com/pages2/mt1a-mt1b.htm
And you'll get only ONE case from apple after paying $99
please, move this to the RIPOFF section.
Boggy @ Mar 1st 2006 7:11AM
Come on guys, if you dont like it, we all know apple just produces consumer products at outrageous prices.
If you forked out yer $300 or whatever for the i-pos, Steve already has you in his pocket.
Now he thinks he can charge whatever he likes.
Whats with people Obsessing over this apple shit anyway.
Now i read Engadget everyday, but a lot of you guys need to get a life! come-on, why support apple, they are far too big for their boots and i for one believe that 'one' company should not have the power that apple does.
Apple Clearly dont make 'superior' products to a lot of the other brands out there. its just they have to money to influence the masses into buying their products.
Rant over
sorry
Boggy
TheAwesome @ Mar 1st 2006 7:59AM
I thought it was a Steve Jobs joke.
"Leather case... blah blah"
"Working on it a long time... blahgetablah blah."
"Only $99!"
Insert crowd laughter...
And then he went on to talk about what they were really working on.
But he was serious!!! OMG! That's awful.
andrew @ Mar 1st 2006 8:13AM
id rather keep my ipod outside of a dead animal.
thank you very much
varble @ Mar 1st 2006 9:26AM
maybe the leather comes from the dead gateway cows
Geir E @ Mar 1st 2006 9:31AM
If apple want to sell their leather cases for $99, that's their policy. Apple have never settled for low end, nor for great deal on high end. They are a technological design brand. I like armani and jean paul fragrances, but i don't buy their clothes. Just as I buy apple computers and not their mp3 players nor their accessories.
Now give me Apple HiFi v2 that gives Sonos a run for their money, that play from shared music, ipod and talks to each other through wifi. ;)
greybeard @ Mar 1st 2006 10:21AM
Heh. Same day my $106 ($123 with shipping from BA) Vaja Ivod leather case finally arrived. Of course, the vaja's got nothin' on the [cr]Apple offering: it only allows you to play, view, charge and use the ipod. If only it were a floppy leather sleeve, instead of a leather covered metal shell, with a click wheel cover, protective screen, my name on the back and a rivet system clip... if only it the AWESOME apple version. Man, what I could have had... and saved $20 to boot... if I'd only been smart enough to wait. But no, I miss out on the "fun." I feel so dumb.
Wayde @ Mar 1st 2006 10:44AM
Ok, I am going to pretend I want one of these. However, I own a Nano, not the big iPod (which as we all know has the 3.5mm jack at the top). So, I am thinking either there is a hole at the bottom of the leather case for the nano (in which case its going to be difficult threading the speaker wire into there, then into the Nano, then pulling it back out again while sliding the Nano in). The flip side would be you just have to have the wire trailing out the top, thereby making me believe that the Nano would not fit into this case properly, due to the part of the jack that does not bend. I hope this all makes sense to you, I looked at the pictures and cannot understand how its going to work. I will just add I bought a perfectly useful rubber covering for my Nano (cost 3) and works very well. I have never needed to remove it from the casing (either to plug in the speakers, look at the screen or adjust the controls). In fact, the rubber is raised slightly where the centre control is, so even slipping this into my pocket, I have never needed to use the hold button, making this case very functional. So, what are Steve and Apple thinking? And at $99 I battle to understand why I must pay the same amount as the full iPods leather case, which obviously uses more leather.
Personally I think apple are running out of ideas, if I were Steve, I would have been too embarrased to have presented that.
Eyewake @ Mar 1st 2006 10:56AM
$99 bucks for that leather sleeve??!! Steve slow down boy!
I wouldn't buy that at that price, plus I dont like covering my divices even though if they scratch for doing so, you loose the whole meaning of the design.
Regardig iPod HiFi, I'm sure a lot of companies developing similar products are mad as hell as we speak.
I just can't wait to logon to the apple site and see that Apple has launched their first Phone.
Wayde @ Mar 1st 2006 11:00AM
My favourite thing about this $99 case, is the fact that you then have to wait 3 - 4 weeks to receive it. Personally that sounds like apple are just waiting to see if anyone actually buys it, then decide if they should do a product run.
Craig @ Mar 1st 2006 11:01AM
Please someone from engadget confirm that the price is a wind up and move the decimal point to its rightful place!!!!
Apple obviously think they have an impending hold on consumers and we will buy ANYTHING at any price.. What next 100 apples!!!
mevdev @ Mar 1st 2006 11:09AM
I've already got 5 of these on order.
They come with an ipod RIGHT?
; )
Diede @ Mar 1st 2006 12:14PM
People are missing the point. There market for ipod cases, including higher end leather cases is thoroughly saturated. While Apple would have an advantage because they can stamp their logos on the case this wouldnt be enough to compete effectively - they would just be one more case in the ipod accessory universe. What they have done instead is priced themselves above every other case on the market. Yes - most people will never pay $99 dollars for a case, and Apple is fine with that. They are targeting the people that will pay the $99 dollars - a smaller niche market with, I suspect, plenty of potential. Time will tell but I wouldnt sell my apple stock quite yet.
Webxen @ Mar 1st 2006 2:31PM
Apple must think that consumers are very gullible. What idiot would pay $99 for a sleeve with the Apple logo on it? Maybe that's why Ipod's are so damn "scratchable," so that we would be forced to purchase a sleeve. The screen and chrome-like backing are extremely sensitive! You practically have to wear soft gloves to handle the damn thing.
Clay @ Mar 1st 2006 5:50PM
Dear God! I thought the 50 buck leather cases with the fold out front and the video display area were a rip off. Of course, that was until I found out that this was REAL.
I bet the leather is made out of baby seal or something. That'd be the only explanation.
catlover @ Mar 1st 2006 6:44PM
My Sony NW-A3000's leather case only cost 35$CN. And it is far more practical, original and beautiful than this 99$ crap. I am almost happy I changed my iPod for my actual mp3 player, a few months ago.
CB @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:27PM
I'll just wrap a $100 bill around my iPod and tie it up with a rubber band. It'll look better and work better too. Nice greenish gray color tones and the rubber band will at least provide a little protection for the screen.
Dave @ Mar 5th 2006 7:17PM
X-ACTO knife not included.
Matt G @ Mar 24th 2006 2:57PM
#24
I think maybe Apple made these cases to compete with other high end cases like your Gucci? Makes sense, and $99 is much cheaper than the others. I think this is where they're trying to market their product, not to consumers buying the $49 dollar case... although there may not be a major difference in quality, some people feel better about something if they paid more for it (if money is no object to them) I'm not sure that i'd buy one, i may like something where the wheel is useable but i'm not sure.
loren @ Jul 6th 2006 3:06PM
hello
Sanford Wellsford @ Oct 16th 2006 12:16PM
I paid for a premium case, but mine is the Orbino Cambio iPod Case (http://www.orbino.com). For $10 less than this cheap Apple sleeve, I got a hand stitched Italian case in premium leather with a beautiful polished metal belt clip. It's beautiful.
Joey @ Dec 22nd 2006 5:51PM
its not worth $99...this crap doesn't even let u control your ipod without removing it and letitng it get scratched! who would buy this?!?!
Ray @ Feb 21st 2007 1:51AM
I found some pretty kewl iPod cases here and they are less then $18.00 http://www.raydspencer.com/product.asp?dept_id=11070&pfid=37648
Lambert John @ Mar 5th 2007 6:32PM
Guys, this is Apple at its finest. These cases are made in China, says right on the box. My guess is for about a $1 or $2. So if Apple has 500,000 made, how many do they have to sell to break even? At $99 each, they have to sell roughly 5050 of them. Anything sold above that is pure profit. Do you think there are 5050 vain people out there who think a fine Italian leather case that says iPod on it will impress others? I think so.
Apple's no dummy. Their marketing folks got together and said, "How much is our logo worth to the world?" Jobs came back and said, "$99 for the first 5050 people. After that, I'm getting a new Porsche." That's capitalism at its finest, and Apple knows how to play. By the way, Best Buy sells this same case for $39. Hum, Apple must have already hit their 5050 quota.