End of a era, why the death of the iPod needed to happen

By Dominic, 1 October, 2023

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

The iPod was Apple‘s first attempt at media players. From the original iPod from 2001. Two the iPod touch seventh and 2019, Apple knew for a fact, this one be a permanent device.

The iPod just wasn’t popular enough for permanent residency in Apple. It didn’t have any mobile data connection, biometric authentication, and is now basically Apple‘s last device that has a lightning connector. Meant to be, what a small 3.5 and four instead, strangest ways, call battery life, no Sim card support, this was not popular. In 2007 Apple released iPod touch first generation of the iPhone 5s generation. People which iPhone is this generation more than the iPod and barely anyone got the iPod. Another thing that annoyed iPod back in the day you had to pay for software updates kind of like how you have to do it for updates in the early 2010s. This summer change the years later. But with the amount of people not in these devices it’s just an experience

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Comments

By fatih on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 07:19

Really, you're from Australia and your native language is English, yet what you just wrote is not intellegable. Perhaps I couldn't make sense of it, because English isn't my native language.

By Rhodie on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 07:19

Once again you are not making aany sense at all.
Please either edit your text or stop using dictation.

By kool_turk on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 07:19

I don't normally do this, but seeing as it is an interesting topic, I thought I'd get Chat GPT to clean up the original post.

It came out a bit more polished, but the message is still the same.

The iPod was Apple's initial foray into the world of media players, starting with the original iPod released in 2001. However, as we look back at the iPod Touch 7th generation from 2019, it's clear that Apple didn't envision it as a permanent fixture in their lineup.

The iPod didn't gain enough popularity to secure a permanent place within Apple's product offerings. It lacked crucial features like mobile data connectivity, biometric authentication, and notably, it's now one of the last Apple devices to feature a lightning connector. Instead of adopting a more standard 3.5 or USB-C connector, the iPod stuck with its proprietary design. Additionally, it didn't offer the convenience of a SIM card for cellular connectivity, which limited its appeal.

In 2007, Apple introduced the first-generation iPod Touch alongside the iPhone 5s generation. People were more drawn to the iPhone, and the iPod began to lose its luster. Another downside of owning an iPod back in the day was that users had to pay for software updates, similar to how software updates had to be purchased in the early 2010s. This policy eventually changed years later.

Considering the dwindling number of people using these devices, it's clear that the iPod has become more of a historical relic than a current technology experience.

By kool_turk on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 07:19

I thought they killed off the iPod because they weren't selling.

You're right, they didn't have all those phone features, but they didn't need to.

Most children had them at the time, both my nephews certainly had them.

I learnt to use voiceover on my nephew's iPod touch, and eventually got my own.

In fact, I still have it, not that it would boot up now, I think I might even still have an old 30 pin cable around here, but the last time I tried to use that cable, nothing happened.

So it's just sitting on the shelf gathering dust, and I still have the original hard plastic box it came in.

By Ekaj on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 07:19

I can recall a sister lending me her iPod some years back when I had a tooth extraction. This sister happens to be visually impaired, and the iPod talked. I remember thinking how cool that was, sitting in the chair being able to independently shuffle through music while the guy was doing his thing. That was so neat! But tbh the iPhone and Mac are better since music isn't their only capability.

By Tayo on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 07:19

first of all, @Dominic, if you're dictating and determined to keep on dictating, try writing your stuff in Word, or some other app where you can do a spelling and grammar check, and then post the result on AppleVis. While your ideas have merit, the delivery lessens whatever impact they may have.

That being said, the iPod isn't the only standalone music player, or even standalone device, that's fallen out of favor as phones have taken over. Most people, if given a choice between buying something that can play music only and a device that can play music, stream movies, send mail, walk the dog, etc. are going to go for the far more versatile device. The iPod is just an example of something that's been going on with monofunctional devices in general. Mind you, all of this is based on just my personal experience. so many others may have a different opinion, but the above has been my observation.

By Michael Hansen on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 07:19

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

This topic is now closed, due to a comment being posted which was disrespectful of a member of our community. (The comment and all subsequent replies have been removed.) Just as we expect all community members to post content which is on-topic and relevant, we also expect all community members to be respectful of others when posting. There is no place for personal attacks against others on AppleVis.