>> Because of the iPod Nano unveiling on the same day, relations between Motorola and Apple were strained and Motorola CEO Ed Zander later accused Apple of purposely undercutting the Rokr.
Apple probably saw it as an opportunity for free iTunes and Nano advertising.
I don’t know about advertising. But I would be willing to bet money that Steve Jobs chose that day for the Nano to do exactly what Zander thought: screw them over.
They (whoever ‘they’ is) caused the phone to be terrible even though it had the iTunes name on it. So Jobs got revenge, as he always did if he could.
I don’t remember the story of how Apple got involved in that, but it was incredibly clear when it was released that Steve Jobs hated the thing. Even when he demoed it on stage.
Perhaps they agreed to a partnership and didn’t realize that Motorola and the carriers would ruin it? Or perhaps it was some sort of “we’ll do this to learn some of the business” kind of a thing?
I’d love to know more of the story behind how it started and it’s development.
>> Because of the iPod Nano unveiling on the same day, relations between Motorola and Apple were strained and Motorola CEO Ed Zander later accused Apple of purposely undercutting the Rokr.
Apple probably saw it as an opportunity for free iTunes and Nano advertising.