Ondrej Holzman Thirteen years. He was shining on the main page for so long Apple.com iPod sign. The legendary player, introduced for the first time in 2001, has sold around 400 million units in various variants. The iPod's sales curve has been falling steeply for a few years now, and every year it's expected that their definitive end will come. 2015 could easily be it.
When you open Apple.com, you will no longer see an iPod in the top bar. Its privileged position has been taken by a new music streaming service, which in this area is the future not only of Apple, but of the entire music industry. Then when you scroll through the page about Apple Music, you will come across iPods at the end of it.
iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch and the slogan “Music you love. On the Road”. But the small triple after this inscription indicates a note that the new music service Apple Music will not be available on the iPod nano or shuffle. At the same time, iPods could theoretically look to it as a last resort.
On the other hand, it is no wonder that the glorious era of iPods is coming to an end. Devices designed exclusively for listening to music have ceased to interest customers, everyone prefers to buy an iPhone straight away, where it has – as Steve Jobs explained in 2007 when it was introduced – three devices in one, including a music player. And now the iPhone can do even more.
Like customers, Apple eventually lost interest in iPods. The last new models were introduced almost three years ago, since then they have more or less only sold out of stock, and often only Apple does so. You can't find iPods anywhere else. We don't even find them in the company's quarterly financial results anymore, because they occupy such a marginal position against iPhones, iPads or Macs that they are not even worth talking about.
Actually, everything was expected and Apple took another confirming step. Since - or so it seems now - the future of music is in streaming and iPods won't support it, there's no place for them.
Of course, the current iPod shuffle and nano couldn't stream just because they don't have the Internet in them, but Apple doesn't see the prospect anymore even with the iPod touch. The once relatively popular "truncated" iPhone without calling doesn't make much sense today either.
Another confirmation stamp on the end of iPods could be given by the new physical Apple Story. Over the summer, they are going to be modernized, partially leaning into the world of luxury and fashion, especially because of the Watch, and it is possible that iPods won't even find their place on the shelves anymore. It's hard to say when Apple will sell off its inventory, but 2015 could be when it sells the last iPod.
I bought an iPod Shuffe a few days ago. A friend wanted an mp3 player for jogging and it doesn't work with the iPhone. I didn't understand why the last generation only had 2GB, even though the previous one also came in a 4GB variant. I guess it's over. In any case, the iPod Shuffe found its customers even at this time. But Apple sees the future in the Apple watch, where the music player can fit without problems. Only the price is 10 times higher :-)
No Shuffle generation had 4gb..
But she had!
3rd generation was 2 and 4gb :)
If there was a sixth generation iPod nano at a normal price, I would be interested. Apple wrote him off :-(
I don't know anything better for listening to music than the iPod shuffle for running, I've tried other mp3 player alternatives from different manufacturers, but I ended up with this little player a few years ago with incredible endurance. Today I have the third one at home and I still haven't found anything better. When running, 2Gb is plenty enough. For running, streaming music is quite often a fart, because you are still not running within range of wifi and often not even fast mobile networks. Well, our FUP limits... don't add much to that either. And many people go for a run and simply want to leave their iPhone on the table at home and have peace of mind, and not drag it in their hand or somewhere else in the rain while running.
I think that at least these iPods should remain in the menu. As for the iPod touch, I always thought it was the most useless iPod.
A well-deserved end for iPods, even if the shuffle is quite good for relatively good money, especially for sports, but even in winter I can have it attached to my jacket and switch songs and adjust the volume even with gloves on.
I still expect this year (or at least the next) to slowly end for the ipad mini.
it's not above the Classic, I won't take a step without it, it's an honest piece of hardware
I'm not even a meter in the car :-)
I have a Classic 160 GB, second hand, but still functional and I'm a little afraid of it when it goes away. I have over ten thousand songs in it, 3/4 of my CD collection, and for running, or going anywhere in the field, or before going to bed, there is simply nothing better. Because I want to have MY music with me, which I have accumulated over many years and therefore I have a relationship with it, no streaming can replace that. If the Classic should sell out, I'll probably buy a new one, I hope, but it will stay in the portfolio for a while...
As far as I know, some people used the iPod touch normally as a game console, I understand. He's probably running out of breath today, so he probably won't be able to play some super games. Above all, it was cheaper than the iPhone and at the same time a person would not have a mobile phone ;-).
And I can imagine an iPod nano for jogging or just going to town. However, with 2GB, it's probably only for running, or for those few public transport rides, and that's when you're alone ;-).
Maybe the Apple Watch will prevail ;-). If you give them 2GB for writing, it's a replacement.