Apple Signals iPhone at MobHappy: "Secondly, the sector for stand alone MP3 players will implode shortly - next year at the latest, but I would say that it may well have peaked already. Outside of a few die-hards, we’ll be listening to our mobiles as our main source for a music player"

I wonder. How many people do *you* know who regularly listen to their music on their mobile phone?

I don't think I know a single one. MP3 players are cheap enough that you can buy one if you want music on-the-go - they don't force you to use bizarre syncing software (well, most don't) in the way that phones do, and you don't lose the ability to call your friends (or be contacted) if you use them a lot.

I'm sceptical about convergence here.

Comments

[Sarah Lipman]

Actually, I've recently seen two people using their cell-phones as MP3 players -- both were in monotonous kinds of jobs. One was a bakery clerk, and the other a graphic designer. I imagine that they use the mobile phone to avoid carrying two devices, and/or because for them, an MP3 player is a significant expense. Probably both.

Another factor, clearly, is that these are people who don't expect to be making a lot of critical phone calls during the day; otherwise they couldn't afford the risk of running down the battery so much.

When the user interface is right (it's getting there), the memory is adequate (also getting there), and the battery life can support it (slow, but there is hope), then it will make perfect sense for everyone to carry a converged music-phone.

[Pete]

A key part of the interface is a headphone jack socket! Most recent phones seem to ship mp3 software without one.

My Nokia has the compulsory toaster slot sized connector for hooking up all manner of gizmos, but you have to cannibalize your hands free kit if you want to change the headphones from the cheap xmas cracker models built in to it.

[Jude]

my mp3player/phone usage

work and back: w8ooi shifting between fm radio and mp3s

have found that getting music onto the thing is a royal pain in the ass, it has spent ages transfering stuff only when unplugged i discover no transfer has taken place...i've had it wipe itself after I've transfered files directly using explorer...and I've had it transfer mp3s across and mess up the tags...it says scissor sisters i hear the pixies...

running: I shuffle

gym: 40g ipod

party: 40g ipod

short city break: shuffle

long holiday: 40g ipod

obviously my phone will go everywhere with me but its only my primary mp3 player between work and home...that said if the battery life wasn't an issue, I'd prefer only having one device in my pocket at any time

[Steve]

Storage and battery life are improving everyday. Downloading directly onto an mP3 player makes sense, especially if costs come down and the discrepancy between PC and mobile downloading is eliminated. If Apple does enter the market, expect them to fix a sensible, flat-rate pricing structure that consumers can understand. And how much more sense does one device make than two. It's only a matter of time...

[Tom Hume]

Weeeell ... yes, everything is getting better. But I'm not sure that battery life is keeping in step with other developments. My phones these days tend to have 1-2 days before they need a recharge. I'm sure it used to be better than that (and no I don't use them to listen to music on...)