2.  Introduction  The Issue  Background  Theorem  Analysis of Sales Figure for IPod  Impact of iPod On the Society  Conclusion  References

3. Introduction  Late 1980s: large cassette player.  Late 1990s: Sony’s Walkman.  18th November 2002: IPod Release (IPod is generally a portable digital music storage device.)

4. The Issue  Why this portable digital device has become so successful in the market and popular in the infotainment world?  Where does iPod’s popularity come from and how it has impacted on the brand image of the Apple Incorporation?

5. Background  It is largely technological-based.  Apple’s innovative nature and creative capital.  Capacity/size ratio: the technological capacity and slim design of the iPod are the most outstanding features.  Socially constructed technological master-piece.  Launch of the iTunes: an interface service that facilitates an individual to download and play music.  The advertising strategy used by Apple.

6. Theorem  Douglas B Holt: a connection between that technological innovation and the modern culture.  Walker: a brand like iPod can make use of such myths to position itself in the market.  Miniz and O’Guinn: an established construct of community –brand community- may form around certain brand as is the case for iPod.  Larsson & Nordstrom: Apple has achieved this through relating its brand iPod to the social surroundings and consume5r demands. Apple Inc. has constantly continued to create rebellious myths around its brand e.g. iPod, throughout its history of branding strategy.  Li and others: compatibility with majority of Apple-made computers.  Muniz and O’Guinn: applies the trio markers of community to explain the brand image of iPod.  First, is the consciousness of kind.  Second are the ritual and traditions and these entails means in which they reinforce the customs of brand community.  Third marker of the iPod brand community is the moral responsibility in which case the iPod users supports each other with respect to using this brand.  Larsson & Nordstrom: The Graphical User Interface is one characteristic design feature that has made apple to attract appreciable advantage with its products.

7. Analysis of Sales Figure for IPod

9. Impact of iPod On the Society  Reduced environmental impacts as it is designed with: a PVC-free iPod,  Impact on society is more negative than positive:  People are becoming more inclined to listening to music at workplaces and thus compromising their productivity.  Fear looms among record store owners because of the ever-growing iTunes music store in terms of business.  Societal immorality has peaked up due to branding of users and iPod-related theft.  Health perspective, there is fear that it may cause irreversible damage to the ears and people are become more anti-social –isolation.

10. Conclusion The success of Apple’s iPod can be attributed to:  The company’s brand. The company has managed to produce high quality products as well as maintain myths and associations with its products.  The superior design that has largely been down-sized whilst maintaining the quality features.  Iconic feature due to its conformity to present needs and the three levels of emotional design model as well as its simplicity and aesthetic.

11. References  Holt, D. B. (2003). What becomes an icon most? Harvard Business Review 81(3), 1-6. Holt, D. B. (2003). What becomes an icon most? Harvard Business Review 81(3), 1-6.  Larsson, M. & Nordstrom, J. (2004). Cultural market analysis: why iPod? – Case Study. Thesis Paper. Stockholm University Larsson, M. & Nordstrom, J. (2004). Cultural market analysis: why iPod? – Case Study. Thesis Paper. Stockholm University  Li, L., Huang, Z., & Xiong Q. (2008). A primary research and exploration on choosing green material in product design. Advanced Materials Research, 44(46), 27-634. Li, L., Huang, Z., & Xiong Q. (2008). A primary research and exploration on choosing green material in product design. Advanced Materials Research, 44(46), 27-634.  Moren, D. (2008). Analysis: Inside apple's ipod sales figures. Retrieved December 17, 2010 from http://www.macworld.com/article/131874/2008/01/ipodsales.h tml Moren, D. (2008). Analysis: Inside apple's ipod sales figures. Retrieved December 17, 2010 from http://www.macworld.com/article/131874/2008/01/ipodsales.h tml  Muniz, A. M. & O’Guinn, T. C. (2001). Brand Community. Journal of Consumer Research, 27 (4), 412-432. Muniz, A. M. & O’Guinn, T. C. (2001). Brand Community. Journal of Consumer Research, 27 (4), 412-432.  Norman, D. A. (2004). Emotional design: Why we love (or hate) everyday things. New York: Basic Books. Norman, D. A. (2004). Emotional design: Why we love (or hate) everyday things. New York: Basic Books.  Walker, R. (November 30, 2003). The guts of a new machine. New York Times, 1851, A78. Walker, R. (November 30, 2003). The guts of a new machine. New York Times, 1851, A78.