The major buzz today is that there might be a $99 iPhone available at Wal-Mart. It’s rumor. It’s conjecture:
“The blogs and business wires were buzzing Monday morning with two juicy iPhone rumors: 1) That Wal-Mart would begin selling iPhones three days after Christmas and 2) That a low-end model would sell for $99.”
link: Anatomy of a rumor: Wal-Mart’s $99 iPhone
If Apple has decided to market through Wal-Mart, there would be an immediate jump in the sales numbers. However, would that be in Apple’s best interests in the long term? The iPhone carries with it some elitism. That is part of the justification for Apple’s price point. Would Apple hurt its own marketing to be associated as an ‘economical’ brand?
Part of the genius of Steve Jobs is his marketing acumen. Wall Street will be watching to see what Apple does in this economy.
Catherine Forsythe