Apple's silly attempts at trademark enforcement over the use of the word "pod" has all of those in and out of the orchard blogging up a frenzy. Jason Calacanis thinks it is the "worst trademark enforcement decision--ummm-ever" and urges folks to fight the good fight. Scoble is worried that is new company is going to be next on the Cease & Desist list. As I thought about this and followed the fray a bit, I think Apple's timing is perfect on a number of fronts, for everyone except them.
- Folks will pick up Scoble's (or someone else's) idea to call it audiocasting or videocasting. The word Pod will become a different sort of cultural icon-a bad joke played over and over again.
- Consumers are getting wise to Apple's game of releasing something new every quarter or so, just to keep our interest. Apple's unchecked arrogance combined with the urban legend that is Apple controlled obsolescence, it is enough to turn a least a few (including myself) off now that our iPods have gone the way of all flesh.
- The O'Reilly Web 2.0 ruckus, seemed to presage a huge drop in that name being used. Coincidence. I don't think so. I'm sure Apple won't be too happy when and if the tide turns and we begin to hear all portable music players called mp3 players or something else and not the Xerox/Kleenex like adoption of iPods.
Orchardists the world over know what to do when a tree begins to sag under the weight of too heavy a fruit yield. Cut her down or prune her back.
