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Frame from Ipod Ad Plays via YouTube's privacy-enhanced embed

Ipod Ad

nikzarea
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YouTube
Cited on HN 3 times, 2019–2023, never outright recommended score 0
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026

Cited as an example of Apple selling feelings and status rather than specs.

A 2006 iPod commercial set to Daft Punk's Technologic, with dancing silhouettes and bright white headphones.

“These ads were about feelings... Not tech specs.” (HN, 2022)

3 citations · Other · partly dated

3 Hacker News comments

From the HN archive; up to 20 kept per video, favoring different commenters. Recommendations first.

@city41 Mar 2019 Cites it
on HN thread AirPods with Wireless Charging Case
Apple has been doing that with headphones ever since the iPod came out. iPod commercials featured black silhouetted people with the bright white headphone and cord contrasted on top[0]. Like AirPods today, it used to be a status symbol to have white headphones as that basically meant they came from Apple. [0] - [this video]
Example of iPod ads making white headphones a status symbol
@anonu Jul 2022 Cites it
on HN thread I remember feeling derisive about marketing as a young techie
Do you remember the early apple iPod TV commercials? [this video] The ones with the silhouettes of people dancing and the white cord on prominent display? There's not a single mention of what an ipod is or how much space it has or how you connect it to songs. These ads were about feelings... Not tech specs. That's what sells in the end. Were these ads a lie?
Ads sold feelings rather than specs
@danparsonson Apr 2023 Cites it
on HN thread Apple wins the antitrust court battle with Epic Games, court rules
Sure, but Apple usually don't market based on features and their feature set on paper is often less impressive than competing products. Remember the iPod ads? [this video] What does that advert say? We have the best sound quality? We have the most storage? We have the best value for money? None of those things - it says you should buy this because it will make you look cool. I didn't say every single person who buys an iPhone is just trying to look cool. But that is first and foremost how they sell their products.
Example of Apple marketing status over features

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