Apple Discontinues iPod Line
11 MAY 2022 - And finally today, you could make the case that the iPod died years ago - that replacing the dedicated media device with an iPhone minus the phone part marked the passing of what iPod was or had been. But now, it’s official.
In an uncharacteristic move, Apple on Tuesday issued a press release announcing the end of the iPod product line. What killed iPod? It was Apple. Quoting Tuesday’s press release:
Since its introduction over 20 years ago, iPod has captivated users all over the world who love the ability to take their music with them on the go. Today, the experience of taking one’s music library out into the world has been integrated across Apple’s product line — from iPhone and Apple Watch to iPad and Mac — along with access to more than 90 million songs and over 30,000 playlists available via Apple Music.
Quoted in the press release - Apple senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak, who said:
Music has always been part of our core at Apple, and bringing it to hundreds of millions of users in the way iPod did impacted more than just the music industry — it also redefined how music is discovered, listened to, and shared… Today, the spirit of iPod lives on. We’ve integrated an incredible music experience across all of our products, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch to HomePod mini, and across Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. And Apple Music delivers industry-leading sound quality with support for spatial audio — there’s no better way to enjoy, discover, and experience music.
Eh. I had a wonderfully romantic evening once that started with me and a lovely woman sharing a single pair of earbuds as we switched back and forth between her iPod and mine getting to know… new music…
iPod hasn’t been iPod for a while. And yet, there is something sad about seeing it officially done in. If you want the last one, get there before they’re gone. Apple says:
Customers can purchase iPod touch through apple.com, Apple Store locations, and Apple Authorized Resellers while supplies last.
