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iPod Should Apple refresh the Classic?

glsillygili

glsillygili

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
505
451
New York
Things the Classic needs:

  • Bigger/HD Screen
  • Flash Storage
  • Lightning Port
  • Modern Interface

What do you think should be added? Do you think they should just discontinue the Classic or refresh it?
 
At the point where it becomes feasible for Apple to build an affordable 256GB iPod Touch the Classic will be retired. Until then, as long as people are still buying it, it will remain.
 
iPod Touch

You do know that you basically just described the iPod Touch? Your list is not what the iPod Classic needs based on it's primary use, Music playback.

The Classic would no longer be like a Classic iPod if these changes were implemented. These changes would completely change the design of the iPod which would be against the Classic branding. It's supposed to be similar to the iPods before it, not like the iPods and iPhones of the current generation. People buy the Classic mostly for music only and it's large hard drive. If it was switched to flash storage, it would either not store as much or would cost nearly double the current price.

A more modest refresh would be a refreshed UI, maybe a higher resolution "Retina" display (640*480), a larger hard drive and most likely the new Lightning connector in place of the older Dock connector.

Although, it's most likely that once they implement 128 GB or 256 GB flash storage on the iPod Touch, the Classic will be retired. It's quite out of place in the current line up compared to the Nano, Shuffle and Touch.
 
Since the Classic will soon be the only device Apple sells with a 30 pin connector I would like to see it with a Lightning connector. 256gb of SSD and keep the click wheel. Retina display and the best DAC that's affordable and I'm first in line for a new one.
So, to answer the question posed in the title of this thread, heck yeah!
 
I think it's entirely possible Apple has outright forgotten they even sell the iPod Classic. I bet if you got a report on available inventory on Classics in each Apple Store, they'd have less than a dozen sold, YTD 2014.

At this point in the game, the Classic is a unique, niche type product- it only caters to those who need up to 160GB of music on hand at all times, that's pretty rare. If they release a 128/256GB Touch, that'd probably spell the end of the click wheel iPod as we know it.
 
daniel-dunphy said:
You do know that you basically just described the iPod Touch? Your list is not what the iPod Classic needs based on it's primary use, Music playback.

The Classic would no longer be like a Classic iPod if these changes were implemented. These changes would completely change the design of the iPod which would be against the Classic branding. It's supposed to be similar to the iPods before it, not like the iPods and iPhones of the current generation. People buy the Classic mostly for music only and it's large hard drive. If it was switched to flash storage, it would either not store as much or would cost nearly double the current price.

A more modest refresh would be a refreshed UI, maybe a higher resolution "Retina" display (640*480), a larger hard drive and most likely the new Lightning connector in place of the older Dock connector.

Although, it's most likely that once they implement 128 GB or 256 GB flash storage on the iPod Touch, the Classic will be retired. It's quite out of place in the current line up compared to the Nano, Shuffle and Touch.
Click to expand...

This, my thoughts exactly!

The beats acquisition and the "best product pipeline" in 25 years give those that want a new Classic hope! I wonder if there will be a iPod event this year or if next Tuesday might have something?
 
I use a Classic not only for storage capacity but also for the click wheel. I can store almost all of my music on a Classic which is nice. However, the most important thing for me is the click wheel. I primarily use my Classic while it is in my pocket and with the click wheel I can pause and skip forward/backward without taking it out of my pocket.

The only thing I would like to see changed would be to slim it down just a little. Other than that it fulfills my needs perfectly.
 
I've had 2-3 Classics and LOVED them. Of course it's been sitting in a drawer collecting dust ever since the 64GB iPhone came along. That doesn't hold all of my music but it holds enough to keep me happy.

I do think it can keep chugging along as is for a couple more years but who knows, I don't think anyone would be surprised if Apple drops it completely.

I would guess once a 128GB (or higher) Touch comes along it'll be toast.
 
I don't care for a bigger screen. I could even settle for a B/W one. I hope they keep the touch wheel. It's still a joy to use.

Could refresh the design a bit with a brushed or anodized back (so it doesn't scratch so easily) and probably upgrade the storage it flash with some quality audio components. I'm using Sony ZX1 now and wouldn't mind paying the same amount for an iPod class with 256GB of space with quality DAC and amps for that price.
 
alphaod said:
I don't care for a bigger screen. I could even settle for a B/W one. I hope they keep the touch wheel. It's still a joy to use.

Could refresh the design a bit with a brushed or anodized back (so it doesn't scratch so easily) and probably upgrade the storage it flash with some quality audio components. I'm using Sony ZX1 now and wouldn't mind paying the same amount for an iPod class with 256GB of space with quality DAC and amps for that price.
Click to expand...

I think they could keep the screen the same size or close to it, make it higher res or retina and glass, then give the device a smaller footprint, but not much. They could decrease the footprint by 20-25% pretty easily, and keep the click wheel either just the same size as now or scale it down 20-25% accordingly. Thickness could stay the same. Then you'd have a device that felt fresh and new, but still weighty and substantial.

Keep the classic the way it is, just freshen it up, make it a bit smaller, and give it a better screen and a lightning connector and flash storage. Would cost Apple nearly nothing in R&D.
 
I have the impression that the ipod line up this year would be shaken off....
The pono crowd founding campaign, like the new sony high quality dap and all the other producer (astell & kern, fiio) are making their appearance...
I think apple would release a new high quality player ( i hope in an expandable memory player) instead of the classic...
the ipod touch is a dying market...
The nano would be replaced by the iwatch
Maybe the shuffle could remain....
Let me know what U think!!!
 
I frankly think the better approach would be iPod nano with higher storage options.

iPod touch currently commands $50 premium over iPod nano, so I would like to see nano updated with a bit more generous capacity to justify vastly reduced feature set: 32GB at $149 and 128GB at $299 (I would forget the 64GB tier).
 
There is still a market (a niche market certainly, but an informed and articulate market) of individuals who wish to keep all of their music on one device, and who wish to use it simply and solely to listen to music. For such people, the classic is a godsend and is irreplaceable. No other device offered by Apple meets this need.

Other products do other things very well, but, if you are a music lover who desires to carry your (entire) music library with you (as I do), the classic is one of the greatest and most useful devices ever invented. It does what it was invented to do, very well.

Me, I always have two classics at any on time - one is a spare in case the other dies, and, as I travel a lot, I always have a classic in my briefcase, on my desk, or near my bedside.

I like the form and function of the classic; if such a choice permitted, I would happily welcome (and pay for) a 128 SSD, or even a 256 SSD classic; an improved screen would be nice, but not necessary, and I do admit that I am something of a fan of the clickwheel.
 
A 256 gig SSd version would be a fixture in my laptop bag. Traveling and daily commute would be much improved.
 
rmsanger said:
A 256 gig SSd version would be a fixture in my laptop bag. Traveling and daily commute would be much improved.
Click to expand...

Exactly; I travel a lot, and my iPod classic is a more or less permanent resident of my briefcase, for precisely this reason, along with my MBA, various books (things with covers), and real note books which one can write in…..
 
Refreshing it to be more like current iPhones and iPods would completely destroy the Classic branding.

A few tweaks could work for the people that are interested in it, but that doesn't include me.
 
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