Where are the freaking accessories??!?!?

(Back blogging on my M200…man, did that extended DialKeys typing session do a number on my left wrist…ouch!)

GRRRR. I cannot understand why manufacturers cannot line up a decent set of accessories to be available at the same time that the main device — whether it’s an mp3 player, UMPC, or whatever — is available. It is such a PITA to get some device and not have simple accessories like a carrying case, screen protector, car charger, etc. available for purchase until weeks, or more likely months, later.

I was prompted to type this blog entry because I saw a mention of two different Samsung-branded carrying cases for the Q1 at the end of the review at TabletPC2.com. However, when I tried to look one of them up, I saw that it wasn’t out yet; the sites that carry it have it as a pre-order item. And there doesn’t seem to be an actual date of its availability. That is such a pet peeve of mine! What do these manufacturers think we new owners (or loaners as the case may be *smirk*) are going to do for the weeks or months that we have to wait to get a carrying case or some other accessory? Many of us would go and buy some cheap alternative as a stopgap for when the “real” accessories are available. Others will find an alternative that is good enough that they will no longer consider getting the “official” carrying cases or whatever, thus costing the device manufacturers sales of the newly-released accessories.

I believe I can say, with some certainty, that a good portion of iPod sales are due to the overwhelming availability of all sorts of different accessories for the iPods. Yes, Apple and their partners are still guilty of taking a while sometimes to release accessories for new iPods, but there’s almost always at least some basic case you can buy for the new models at the same time as product launch. Having a healthy accessory market can go a long way towards demonstrating to the consumer the strength and/or popularity of a device, IMO. When Buzz Out Loud was debating whether some consumers bought iPods solely or largely on the availability of different accessories, they got a lot of feedback corroborating that it was indeed a determining factor. I am still grumbling at the serious dearth of accessories (especially car chargers, a docking cradle, and more choice in carrying cases) for my Toshiba Gigabeat S. I really like the device, but the lack of accessories for it (even software “accessories” like different syncing software) kind of gives me the impression that Toshiba is not fully behind their product. At the very least it makes me irritated when I see the rows and rows and rows of iPod accessories (and a decent amount of Creative Zen accessories!) at Fry’s and absolutely zero accessories for my Gigabeat S. Even searching online shows quite a lack of Gigabeat S peripherals.

It just boggles my mind why manufacturers aren’t more into providing a variety of accessories for their devices. A lot of gadget freaks are also major accessory freaks. It’s just all extra money in the manufacturers’ pockets, for probably relatively little cost to them. I’ve even seen some products have lackluster features, but seem more appealing simply because they included certain peripherals that are usually optional, additional purchases — for example, this ho-hum mp3 player that Gizmodo reported on recently. Yeah, the dock is kind of ugly, and I’m sure lots of people (including the hubby) are thinking that the inclusion of such accessories are what jacks the price up, and logic says that you should judge a device on its features, not by its accessories, but sometimes it’s still a nice perk that consumers really consider. There was quite a bit of ragging on Apple when they claimed that they were dropping iPod prices, but it turned out that you weren’t getting a dock, basic carrying case, or AC adapter.

Well, whatever. I’ve had my rant. I’m sure there are some financial reasons that a company may not want to “waste” money on providing accessories for a device that may bomb, but hey, it’s a bit of a catch-22 situation that I think manufacturers should err on the side of providing more accessories, not less, in order to provide a bit more motivation for consumers to pick their products (besides having the right features for how the consumer would use the device, of course). I want my friggin’ accessories! >_<!!