The iPod has had a good run since Apple first introduced it a decade and half ago. But apparently, the tech giant is now discontinuing specific iPod models for good. The company has recently and quietly removed the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle from its official website, with their respective product pages nowhere to be seen. Sure, iPod nano and iPod shuffle units are still made available in various retail outlets everywhere, but Apple fans may get the feeling that, sooner or later, these iPod models will be completely biting the dust soon.
With this latest development, the only remaining model now is the iPod touch. Despite the fact that the device has not had significant updates since about a couple of years ago, it actually brings more bang for every buck now -- indeed, the 32 gigabyte edition is now priced at $199, and the 128 gigabyte edition at $299. Before, buyers get only 16 gigabytes for $199, and 64 gigabytes for $299.
As told by Apple to Bloomberg, it appears that the iPhone maker’s rationale for the discontinuation of the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle is to simplify its lineup of MP3 players. Regardless of the reasoning behind the decision, music loving Apple users will likely still feel a bit disheartened with the news.
Still, all of this might not be entirely unexpected. While it is true that MP3 players used to be all the rage about a decade ago, it is not just the same today. Besides, most consumers nowadays are more likely to use their smartphone devices anyway in order to listen to their favorite tracks. The original iPod will undoubtedly go down in history as a cultural milestone, but the fact of the matter is, music listeners now will go for a new iPod model, or even an iPad. Moreover, Apple actually had not introduced any updates to the iPod nano or the iPod shuffle since half a decade ago, which is considered eons in the world of mobile.
And it is also worth mentioning that music listeners are changing, or more broadly, the music business has evolved in the last few years. Instead of buying individual tracks or albums from their favorite recording artists, people now prefer signing up for a music streaming service provider, where they can get access to a full library consisting of thousands and even millions of songs. And because we are about to transition to the 5G era (where streaming is made even easier), perhaps it was really time for the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle to retire.
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https://www.wirefly.com/blog/news/apple-bids-farewell-its-ipod-nano-and-ipod-shuffle