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iPod iPod Classic 2010--Where's it Headed?

I unfortunately think the iPod Classic will be EOLed soon.
I really like the classic and just got myself one back in Jan. But, I noticed there are very few accessories out for the classic. I am using an iPhone sleeve because I couldn't find a sleeve style case for the classic.

Another reason I think the classic will be EOLed is because the competition is moving away from iPod imitation and moving towards iPod Touch immitation (example Zune).

I wouldn't mind if the touch got bumped to 128 because then my music collection would fit, or even better, a 128GB iPhone, then I would only have to carry one device!
 
I hope they do something with it. Not just get rid of it. A 128gb touch is not a replacement as a 64gb touch is $399 now even if they hold the same price for the 128 it's still $150 more for less storage! They should increase the storage on the classic and make it $199 but don't add anything else that way it'll just be really good at holding big music libraries but not anything else so it won't cabbibalize touch sales. I keep a 5g 60gb iPod in the glovebox of my car it's attached to the stereo and I control it via the steering wheel controls. The battery is shot but since my car powers it it's still ok. If it ever bites the dust I'll be replacing it with a classic so I hope they stick around.
 
What happened to people just wanting a music player? I don't need video, let alone apps, wifi, whatever. I want a bad ass music player for my music. That's it. I am a music junky, I don't have the time or desire to manage my music or predetermine my mood music for the day. I would go bonkers attaching my ipod everyday to transfer playlist, etc. I need a large capacity device.

I love my iPOD classic and for what I need it for, it's perfect.
 
I too hope they won't get rid of the Classic.
Can only hope for the best in that with all their focus they've been spending on the iPhone, etc.... that they'll leave well enough alone....for a while longer like they have with the MacBook... bring down the price, but leave a good thing alone (or better yet... increase capacity, and keep price as is.)
Love my music, always carry my iPod with me, and even then....it's not big enough. But if the Classic is EOL'd, I will most definitely be running to the shop and snapping one up before they're gone. Can't think of another Music Player with that kind of capacity, and easy to use interface. Will be an end of an era, and sign they're after multiple (same track) iTunes purchases if they do give up on the Classic.
 
wPod said:
I wouldn't mind if the touch got bumped to 128 because then my music collection would fit, or even better, a 128GB iPhone, then I would only have to carry one device!
Click to expand...

But the music interface on the touch sucks. I've given up listening to music on mine because it's just so clunky.

dork420 said:
What happened to people just wanting a music player? I don't need video, let alone apps, wifi, whatever. I want a bad ass music player for my music. That's it. ...

I love my iPOD classic and for what I need it for, it's perfect.
Click to expand...

Right. Agree absolutely.
 
dork420 said:
What happened to people just wanting a music player? I don't need video, let alone apps, wifi, whatever.
Click to expand...

iPod nano? Hell if it had the right amount of storage then I'd replace my ageing 5.5G iPod with it.

And talking about interfaces... I think the iPod touch is fantastic for navigating through music. It's just quite terrible when it comes to changing tracks/volume whilst its in your pocket. The remote headphones go a bit towards fixing that but I still end up using my old radio remote instead.
 
I think it could stick around another year, but not get any revisions in September to keep costs down.

It does not have to sell great to justify keeping it around. Even if a 128GB Touch is released in the fall, it will still be much more expensive than a 160GB iPod Classic.

In 2011, that would probably change.
 
Dagless said:
And talking about interfaces... I think the iPod touch is fantastic for navigating through music. It's just quite terrible when it comes to changing tracks/volume whilst its in your pocket.
Click to expand...

The thing that I find very aggravating is how easy it is to touch the wrong spot on the screen, taking you to a screen you don't want and very likely ending the song you were listening to. I find it nearly impossible to do anything with the music interface while a song is playing.
 
More of Classic and Jogging

Was in PC World (AKA 4th circle of hell) and the weekend and gave a Classic a quick shake test.

20 odd seconds of me vigorously shaking an iPod-maracas resulted in no skipping at all.

Impressed.
 
I work out regularly with my classic for years without a problem.

I'll be honest I like the itouch interface, with the black background etc. I think the interface is fun if you want to "play" with your music. but for walking around town, or in my car, or working out, the interface doesn't cut it.
I need buttons.

I'm still in awe of even my old 4G black and white ipod which I still use as well. I feel it is still very relevant and an extraordinary piece of technology that was a total game changer for me.
 
dork420 said:
What happened to people just wanting a music player? I don't need video, let alone apps, wifi, whatever. I want a bad ass music player for my music. That's it. I am a music junky, I don't have the time or desire to manage my music or predetermine my mood music for the day. I would go bonkers attaching my ipod everyday to transfer playlist, etc. I need a large capacity device.

I love my iPOD classic and for what I need it for, it's perfect.
Click to expand...

Pretty much sums-up my feelings as well.. Even though I also have a iPhone 3G S & 1st Gen touch, it's my 2009 Classic that I turn to for music. I don't think I've even used my touch in over 6 months.
 
It's funny. just goes to show how awesome the ipod is/was. I remember people buying ipods just because they were so darn cool. People who never really listened to music that much or whatever were buying them by the millions. It was a got to have gadget that wasn't necessarily suited for their lifestyle.
I know tech advances rapidly and I get the marketing move to having a variety of functions well beyond music at this point. Most people are not music junkies. They buy one track at a time off of itunes and that's great. I think the touch and the iphone are awesome devices.

I hope that Apple still focuses on a primary music device though because I like the singularity of it. Just like my photography, which I use a dedicated device for. I would go nuts if I could only get a camera that also is a phone, or gps, or whatever.
 
I strongly suspect Apple will take the iPod Classic out behind the barn and shoot it.

For those who want high capacity, they'll have the 128GB iPod Touch.

For those who want the scroll wheel, they'll have the iPod Nano.

For those who want both, they'll be out of luck.

Those people will complain. Those people will talk about how much of a mistake Apple is making. And how the music lovers like them will no longer be purchasing iPods. And it will sink Apples iPod business.

And Apple will have record iPod sales again all next year.
 
SwiftLives said:
I strongly suspect Apple will take the iPod Classic out behind the barn and shoot it.

For those who want high capacity, they'll have the 128GB iPod Touch.

For those who want the scroll wheel, they'll have the iPod Nano.

For those who want both, they'll be out of luck.

Those people will complain. Those people will talk about how much of a mistake Apple is making. And how the music lovers like them will no longer be purchasing iPods. And it will sink Apples iPod business.

And Apple will have record iPod sales again all next year.
Click to expand...

In a world where all is numbers , you are correct it might very well go on like that...

However, there are feelings around, and after reading all these messages i'm pretty much confident that the Death of the classic Will NOT happen soon !
Apple might very welll have the same feelings as us: and they will not Kill the Ipod Classic, which is THE descendant of the very 1st Ipod that started this revolution!
 
combatcolin said:
Was in PC World (AKA 4th circle of hell) and the weekend and gave a Classic a quick shake test.

20 odd seconds of me vigorously shaking an iPod-maracas resulted in no skipping at all.

Impressed.
Click to expand...

Oh my yes. They're pretty damn tough. I've been running with mine and it never skipped or had to 'recache' the music or whatever it does. Just carried on going.

Though I wouldn't want to drop one. My brothers iPod fell out of his pocket once and was a write-off.
 
I would like to see the classic remain, I have had one since 2003 and love them. My old 160 got stolen and I bought a new 2009 160. I would have been pissed if it was 2008 and I could only get a new 120. I would be even more pissed if I couldn't get a new classic at all!
I have an iPhone but when I want music in the vehicle or for longer than 20 mins it's the classic all the way.

Can't really predict what will happen though. None of the options posted so far would surprise me.

About cases, I still have that black slip case somewhere and it really is hard to find a good classic case. My favorite one ever was stolen with the last iPod and they are no longer made. It was the matias iPod armor, my fav iPod case ever, rip :(

Now my new classic is in a little thin rubber like thingy from walmart
 
SwiftLives said:
Those people will complain. Those people will talk about how much of a mistake Apple is making. And how the music lovers like them will no longer be purchasing iPods. And it will sink Apples iPod business.
Click to expand...

And panic buy old Classic stock :p

I've been wondering what I'd do if they did EOL. I'd probably just keep my 5G and perform HD upgrades and repairs of various components for another few years :rolleyes:
 
I got the first ever "Classic" they released and I still love it and use it. I have and iPhone for music day to day. But if i'm ever travelling even for a few days out comes the trusty classic with every song I own.

It's a tough bugger too! Still got great battery life, dropped it many times without a case and it's fine. Infact I dropped it so hard recently that it 'wiped' itself. The menu was there but all content was gone.
So i restored in iTunes and it's rocking again. Love it Love it Love it.
 
OllyW said:
Those days have already gone.

iPod sales are already in decline and it's doubtful they will ever return to record levels again.
Click to expand...

Yea, and if the iPod classic goes, the beginning of the end starts for Apple. The iPod is what kept them from going out of business when the iPod was introduced in early 00s.
 
In terms of what will actually happen to the Classic in the near future is not certain, no one knows exactly what Apple will do but the future is indeed looking bleak for the old Classic.

I for one would like to see the Classic aimed at audiophiles, or atleast people who have a slight knowledge & interest in higher audio quality. Now it goes without saying that most fully blown sound geeks would stay away from the iPod range all together, but I do feel that if Apple did a few things different with the Classic it could become a niche product & generate interest from a different market.

Improved sound card (This would be my main demand in a new classic)
Faster (I find at times my Classic lags a bit when changing menus/songs)
More space (160gb will last most people a long time but if you factor in those who like to store all their music in lossless then more memory may be necessary)
Interface revamp (I feel it is a bit outdated compared to other products and would only really need a minor update to stay competitive)

I also think Apple should add a lossless option in the iTunes store, I for one would use this feature and know many others that would happily stop buying CD's in favour of this option.

However, I highly doubt any of these things will happen as Apple are not a company who pride themselves on 'sound quality'. Just something to think about though.
 
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