Product Life Cycle Analysis For The Apple Ipod

The alarm clock rings and its time to go for a jog and get the morning routine off to a good start. After my morning jog I take a shower while listening to my favorite high-energy-time-to-wake-up music. The weather channel says it is going to be a rainy morning, so I grab my umbrella and head for the door. During the car ride I toggle between the news and my French audio lessons. All of these events are done through the use of a little device that seems to be everywhere you look. For the past years we have seen how APPLE Computers Inc. has not only introduced the Ipod into the market for music players, but created the new must have pop icon. The following is a brief analysis of the product life cycle of iPods.
iPods were first introduced to in 2001 and has since grown into a recognized cultural symbol. Designed and marketed by Apple Computer, iPod is a brand of digital audio/video players that stand apart
from the rest due to their user friendly interface and sleek design. Customers can carry their entire music collection and more in their pockets. Although Apple Computer already had a huge following of loyal costumers, the iPod has created a new generation of Apple fanatics that simply cannot get enough of the iPod and all of the iPod attachments that have since developed.

THE GROWTH STAGE
Currently the iPod finds itself in the growth stage of its product life cycle. It has shown a steady growth rate as demonstrated in the sales reported by Apple Computers for the past 15 quarters. The most recent quarters have shown a significant increase in the sales volume of iPods, a good indicator that the iPod market is expanding. It appears as though there is now definitely a public awareness of the Apple iPod worldwide.
Competition is also quickly increasing as new players are being incorporated into the market. Some of the main competitors include Creative Technologies, Dell and Sony. All of which create similar players that incorporate design and...