Apple has released a press release designed to get a bit of free PR concerning its DVD-R products. In a release titled "Apple Leads the Industry in DVD Burning," the company is announcing that it has shipped more than 500,000 SuperDrive equipped iMacs and PowerMacs. More importantly, the company has also shipped more than 2 million blank DVD-R discs. From Apple:
Apple® announced today that it has shipped nearly half a million SuperDrive™-equipped Macintosh® computers and more than 2 million DVD-R media discs to date. Apple first introduced its SuperDrive, the industry’s first high-volume CD- and DVD-burning drive, and its revolutionary iDVD and DVD Studio Pro™ software applications in January 2001.
"Apple is leading the desktop DVD revolution," said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior director of Hardware Product Marketing. "SuperDrives are now in iMacs, Apple’s recordable DVD media is now priced under $5 per disc, and our iDVD software makes it easy for anyone to create their own DVDs. "
All SuperDrive-equipped Macs include iDVD 2 software, the world’s easiest-to-use application for creating DVDs that play in consumer DVD players, and the only consumer DVD authoring application that can create professional-looking DVDs with full-motion menu buttons and backgrounds.
You can see the original press release at Apple’s Web site.
The Mac Observer Spin:
At first blush, this press release is a whole lot of nothing. "Industry Leader" is the type of PR-speak that is unprovable, has no quantifiable meaning, and sounds good to the Suits. Also, we aren’t too impressed with the number of SuperDrive equipped Macs sold, considering the units have been available for more than a year. What we do find impressive is the fact that Apple has peddled some 2 million blank DVD-R disks. Not only is that more than US$10 million in sales, and another revenue stream for the company, it also specifically shows, and this is where it gets important, that *people want to make their own DVDs!* Think about that for a second.
It’s complete vindication for Apple’s Digital Hub concept/direction. In some ways, it’s circumstantial vindication for Apple’s TV spot that shows the couple eloping and making a DVD of the wedding. This site has made no bones about criticizing Apple’s advertising efforts (at least some of that effort), but the message seems to be getting out despite our armchair CEOing.
In any event, this is very positive (yet subtle) news for Apple and the Mac platform.