4 ms·

May be a bit off topic but I think, With new superior models coming every year, time for Apple to do some innovation in the business-model (well, in addition t

May be a bit off topic but I think, With new superior models coming every year, time for Apple to do some innovation in the business-model (well, in addition to the app-ecosystem they created) and move to a subscription-based model :) One pays few grands (say $2k) every year to upgrade i/pod/phone/pad to the latest version. (well, they have recycling program with 90% depreciation!!)

gojomo 16y ago
A sort of Apple Prime?
Stormbringer 16y ago
You may remember that Microsoft wanted to move to an annual subscription model for Windows. I distinctly remember Balmer rubbing his hands together and cackling with glee about how they were going to make much more money that way (as he pushed another couple of nosy kids into the oven of his gingerbread house). As it turned out, this made an enormous amount of people unhappy. I think they abandoned it. Apple does have an annual subscription service, MobileMe (or whatever they are calling it this week). As far as I can tell it has had a very low rate of adoption, despite coming free (for a limited time) with new Macs. Heck, I have a hard enough time convincing random (Mac using) strangers to buy a damn external drive and turn on Time Machine. Don't underestimate user inertia.
naner 16y ago
Best Buy has some kind of buyback program. I don't know anything about it (like if it applies to Apple products) but they are advertising it.
WillyF 16y ago
Best Buy is kind of doing this with their "buy back" program. If Apple continues becoming more and more predictable in terms of product release dates and pricing, I could almost see a startup doing this on their own. You buy Apple upgrade insurance, and they guarantee that you can trade in your current product for a new one as soon as the new product is released. The only problem is that there's way to much risk to do this unless you are Apple or have a direct relationship with Apple. Then again, maybe the float would cover the risk.
- nuclear_eclipse 16y ago
  You mean like Gazelle.com?
ojbyrne 16y ago
I don't think that would work, because it would be too expensive. People would balk. However what might kill, would be a subscription discount program a la Amazon Prime. Pay $99 a year for 10% off all purchases + other bonuses. I'd call it "Apple Fan Appreciation Program." Maybe they could introduce it via MobileMe.

gojomo 16y ago

A sort of Apple Prime?

Stormbringer 16y ago

You may remember that Microsoft wanted to move to an annual subscription model for Windows. I distinctly remember Balmer rubbing his hands together and cackling with glee about how they were going to make much more money that way (as he pushed another couple of nosy kids into the oven of his gingerbread house). As it turned out, this made an enormous amount of people unhappy. I think they abandoned it. Apple does have an annual subscription service, MobileMe (or whatever they are calling it this week). As far as I can tell it has had a very low rate of adoption, despite coming free (for a limited time) with new Macs. Heck, I have a hard enough time convincing random (Mac using) strangers to buy a damn external drive and turn on Time Machine. Don't underestimate user inertia.

naner 16y ago

Best Buy has some kind of buyback program. I don't know anything about it (like if it applies to Apple products) but they are advertising it.

WillyF 16y ago

Best Buy is kind of doing this with their "buy back" program. If Apple continues becoming more and more predictable in terms of product release dates and pricing, I could almost see a startup doing this on their own. You buy Apple upgrade insurance, and they guarantee that you can trade in your current product for a new one as soon as the new product is released. The only problem is that there's way to much risk to do this unless you are Apple or have a direct relationship with Apple. Then again, maybe the float would cover the risk.

nuclear_eclipse 16y ago
You mean like Gazelle.com?

ojbyrne 16y ago

I don't think that would work, because it would be too expensive. People would balk. However what might kill, would be a subscription discount program a la Amazon Prime. Pay $99 a year for 10% off all purchases + other bonuses. I'd call it "Apple Fan Appreciation Program." Maybe they could introduce it via MobileMe.