POD version one was marketed and was so successful, that Line 6 introduced POD version two. The main difference between POD version one, was that it only had 16 classic guitar amplifiers. POD version two came with an extra 16 guitar amplifiers, making a total of 32 classic guitar amplifier tones. Because of the massive success of POD version one, Line 6 decided to give their customers who had previously purchased POD version one, the option of upgrading their POD to POD version two, by way of a software package. This would enable their previous customers to feel that their original POD was not at all obsolete and that they would not have to fork out an extra £300 for the new relatively higher specification version of POD version two.
POD was designed predominantly for guitar tone and as a DI recording tool with some on-board effects, rather than an effects tool for guitarists, for which there are many good and sub standard professional ones on the market. Line 6 was in its own market niche with POD. Although Line 6 is a Californian company, the Line 6 brand ranks along side the major brand names all across the world in guitar tone and effects.
MARKETING/DESIGN ANALYSIS.
The POD was marketed with massive blanket advertising in all of the UK guitar and technical music related magazines. Because this was a product that was completely different and that had no real potential commercial predators, POD was ok from that angle; but in order to make people aware of this new desirable and useful product, POD was advertised normally on a whole page to itself in each of the magazines.
The kind of customers Line 6 which they were aiming POD at would be the kind of person who might be professional or semi-professional musicians. They were mid-range customers, because POD commanded a higher price for the unit than most guitar specific effects pedals; most of which were of a lower quality of sound anyway.