Apple hopes Shuffle solidifies its top spot

Have you ever wondered what that tiny thin pocket in your jeans was for? According to Apple Korea’s senior official Seo Han-seo, it was made for the iPod shuffle, the firm’s new flash memory-based MP3 player that was released in the United States last week. Apple Computer seeks to dominate the digital music player market with the launch of the iPod shuffle, which made its Korean debut yesterday. In an interview with the JoongAng Daily, Tony Li, Asia Pacific director of product marketing, said that Apple is not intimidated by Korean MP3 makers’ entry into the hard disk drive MP3 market. “We already have 96 percent of the hard disk drive-style music player market with the iPod. Korean MP3 makers have recently released hard disk drive players, but we’re not threatened because we have our brand value, design, and linkage with software, like iTunes,” he said. He added, however, that there was room for many competitors, since music-listening devices are undergoing a transition from analog to digital. “The market is expanding, on the whole,” he said. Apple’s December sales helped it capture 65 percent of the world MP3 market, and it hopes the Shuffle takes the remaining 35 percent. Until now, Apple’s share in the Korean MP3 player market was miniscule. The Shuffle will change that, by grabbing the low end of the flash memory-based MP3 player market, Mr. Seo said. “We look forward to the day when earphones in Korea are all white,” he added. The Shuffle is as slim as a stick of gum and comes with a white nylon “necklace” and white earphones. The Shuffle will hit shelves here next month. A 512-megabyte player that stores about 120 songs will cost 125,400 won ($121) including tax. In the United States, the price is $99 without tax. A 1-gigabyte player will cost 189,200 won. by Wohn Dong-hee