iPod iPods & iPod Shuffle Obsolete, Future with iPod Touch Only

[macagent]

There have been rumors of Apple running out of ideas to re-invent the iPod and its younger half, the iPod Shuffle, even Steve Wozniak once had a similar point of view. It could be probable that Apple may discontinue the iPod line and just stick with the iPod Touch, market and segment iPod Touch based on various functionalities and features and less on the "cool touch factor". The continuous low cost per unit of producing the iPod Touch over time should make this possible.

Anyone willing to concur or otherwise?

 

[TwinCities Dan]

Maybe someday, but I don't see it happening anytime soon...

 

[-Ryan-]

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I don't think we'll ever see it happen. The iPod has got more over the top over the years with new features but it still serves the music Market and serves it well. It's hard to even argue the primary function of the touch is as an iPod considering the marketing Apple do for it. It's not fit to take over from a consumer music player, and unless they make a solely music device under the touch range, it seems unlikely.

 

[JCastro]

There have been rumors of Apple running out of ideas to re-invent the iPod and its younger half, the iPod Shuffle, even Steve Wozniak once had a similar point of view. It could be probable that Apple may discontinue the iPod line and just stick with the iPod Touch, market and segment iPod Touch based on various functionalities and features and less on the "cool touch factor". The continuous low cost per unit of producing the iPod Touch over time should make this possible.

Anyone willing to concur or otherwise?

I don't see that happening. I think that there are many people that want a simple to use and small iPod. I don't like running with anything bigger than a Shuffle and maybe a Nano.

As the memory capacity grows in the Touches I could see them dropping the Classic line up. The overall size is not that different and and Touch is so much more versatile. The only real advantage that the Classic has is its memory capacity.

 

[instaxgirl]

I don't see that happening. I think that there are many people that want a simple to use and small iPod. I don't like running with anything bigger than a Shuffle and maybe a Nano.

I wouldn't like to run with a touch for the simple reason that if you drop it there's a good chance you're stuffed. I've dropped my iPod mini loads of times and other than when I had to perform a little clickwheel surgery it's been fine.

 

[bozz2006]

I know i'm one of the few who prefer the classic interface over the touch interface. hands down.

 

[student_trap]

I know i'm one of the few who prefer the classic interface over the touch interface. hands down.

it is a fantastic interface for music, so intuitive. Only thing place the touch has it better is in its ability for you to just prod a letter with your finger to get straight to an artist or whatever

 

[Scarlet Fever]

What about those who like to carry around a large library of music? Or those who just want something small enough to lose in your pocket, but still spacious enough to store a few thousand songs? Or those who just want something tiny for exercise? Or anyone who still likes actual buttons? Or anyone who uses their iPods to store data?

The iPod Touch is cool, but it's not cool enough to replace the other 'pods

 

[Lorenz0]

My ipod touch goes everywhere with me with two exceptions

1] The gym
2] a night on the lash

A smaller, more accident friendly ipod is definitely a must. You don't dig the garden wearing your good shoes after all.... It's horses for courses.

a 'classic interface' clickwheel app wouldn't be a bad idea....

 

[SwiftLives]

I'm reasonably confident that the iPod Classic will not see another revision. The cost to produce it has become far too cheap for Apple to sell it at their traditional price point. So in typical Apple fashion, it will be discontinued rather than upgraded and price-dropped.

We'll see a 64GB iPod Touch in the fall. That will begin to take the place of the higher capacity iPods. I suspect that the super-high capacity (100GB+) iPods have become a bit of a niche market for Apple.

I doubt the shuffle or nano will be going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[jzuena]

My ipod touch goes everywhere with me with two exceptions

1] The gym
2] a night on the lash

A smaller, more accident friendly ipod is definitely a must. You don't dig the garden wearing your good shoes after all.... It's horses for courses.

My thinking as well. I have one of the closeout Gen2 shuffles for running. The only time I've run with the touch is when I was on company travel (without the shuffle) and using a treadmill where I could leave the touch in a stationary spot.

a 'classic interface' clickwheel app wouldn't be a bad idea....

I tried planting the seed of a clickwheel app to developers over a year ago hoping someone would run with it, but so far no takers! I even signed up to be an iPhone developer, but haven't had time to do any coding.

 

[bruinsrme]

Apple has a few untapped markets.
Though they make these devices they really haven't targeted specific audiences especially the sports.

for instance weather/sweat proofing their devices.

wireless head phones for the smaller devices.

I know most will hate this but a smaller phone (nano iphone)

wireless devices that have finger operated remotes for runners hikers and so on.