Strolling down Bruin Walk, it looks as if more students are
becoming self-involved. But after taking a closer look, they are
really just listening to their iPods.
“I feel like I’m listening to a soundtrack to my
life (as I walk to class),” said Chrissy Sastri, a first-year
microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student who is one
of the many students who walk on campus with the identifiable white
headphones.
The iPod phenomenon has hit hard at UCLA and more students are
tuning in to this newest craze, whether it be by having an actual
iPod or listening to music on iTunes ““ a program that
organizes music and allows for music to be bought on the online
iTunes Music Store.
“They’re very popular and we’re doing quite
well with them,” said Jan Griwach director for computers and
supplies of sales of the iPod at the Associated Students of UCLA
computer store.
So far, 1,300 iPods have been sold on campus this year since
August.
Students agree that the iPod is the most sought after MP3 player
on the market right now.
iPod sales have been better than expected, and this makes the
Apple stock more desirable, Sood said.
As a result of new marketing strategies that highlight the
iPod’s streamlined features, Apple stocks have been
surpassing expectations.
Before the iPod’s launch in 2001, Apple was a company that
produced personal computers. Now, with the success of its iPod,
Apple has launched itself into a completely new sector. iPod now
commands 3.6 percent market share of the music-listening
industry.
Apple has continued to update their iPod and is currently at its
“fourth generation.”
“Apple is separating itself from other MP3 players,”
said Sanjay Sood, assistant professor of marketing at the Anderson
School of Management.
The iPod offers special features such as iTunes and focused
accessories such as colorful cases, car adapters and tattoos which
allow the iPod user to personalize their player with chosen
pictures that can be printed out and applied to the iPod.
“The way the iPod is set up is user-friendly,”
second-year electrical engineering student Reza Dokhanchy said. The
user- friendly benefit is one of the ways that Apple has been
attracting customers.
Apple has recently introduced the U2 iPod which features a shiny
black case with a red click wheel along with engravings of the band
members’ signatures on the back. In addition, iPod photo
““ the newest addition to the iPod family ““ allows users
to house their entire music and photo collection in an iPod that
has a high-resolution color screen for viewing pictures, according
to the Apple store Web site.
One of the only thing stopping all UCLA students from owning
their own iPod is the price.
“I got a different MP3 player because it was cheaper, but
it’s definitely lower in quality,” second-year
mechanical engineering student Brian Attiyen said.
“The iPod is just expensive enough to give you
status,” third-year English student Stacy Ishigaki added.
The iPod model which holds up to 10,000 songs is available for
around $400. The mini iPod, which only holds up to 1,000 songs, is
$249 at the UCLA store.
“The iPod is the coolest invention I’ve seen in a
long time, but it is too expensive,” second-year electrical
engineering student Ryan Hall stated.
“I am going to ask for one for Christmas.”
As the school year continues, more and more students will walk
to class with iPods in their pockets because “an iPod make
things more exciting,” Sastri said.