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iPod The Fate of the iPod Classic..

I have considered an iPod Classic as a stopgap between my 5.5g iPod w/ Video before they come out with a 128GB iTouch. It's nice to be able to play a song whenever it skips into your head, but I haven't been able to do that for awhile now (64GB library on a 32GB iPod, no WAY). :)
 
wallaby said:
I have considered an iPod Classic as a stopgap between my 5.5g iPod w/ Video before they come out with a 128GB iTouch. It's nice to be able to play a song whenever it skips into your head, but I haven't been able to do that for awhile now (64GB library on a 32GB iPod, no WAY). :)
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I may do the same thing. I will wait a while. The iPod classic is the last clickwheel device standing.
 
I can't say I have followed Apple and their intentions well prior to two years ago. I didn't like the concept of the iPod. Fast forward and I think it was integral with helping propel technology interactions to where we are today. Clarify the help, not made.

The classic should be kept around for a little longer. Even if it isn't selling as well as the new iPod touch, or the iPod Nano, it symbolizes a train of thought that has worked well for Apple. The biggest downside is the physical hard drive over the flash used in other devices. I would recommend keeping a slimmer version of the Classic with flash when the appropriate size and price is appropriate. Even though sales might not be on the incline, it is a solution for those who want a music storage player.
 
5G iPod was my first Apple product. Bought it in October about five years ago.

I like many of the suggestions for a special 10th year anniversary version. I love to see it get beefed up in CPU and improve the screen. Not make it bigger, but improve the actual display. Also the flash-based memory suggestion and maybe make it thinner while still improving the battery life.

I was checking out a video unboxing of the Nokia N8 today, and you know what I really would like to see again on an iPod? An anodized aluminum casing ALL OVER just like the iPod mini! Different colors too. Have it completely covered on both sides along with a scratch resistant glass screen. Nomore fingerprint and scratches on the back. Always keep the click-wheel for tactile feedback. People forget that while the iPod classics brought Apple out of its near deathbed, it was the iPod mini sales and clever/colorful ads that really took them to the next level. The original iPods were still very overpriced at $400-$500. This was circa 2004 when iPod minis were being sold at a more consumer friendly price of $249 and iTunes was establishing its base with Windows users.

Bring back the iPod mini anodized aluminum and put it on the classic for BOTH sides and have a scratch resistant screen like the Nokia N8. Then improve some of the internal hardware to smoothen out the UI, improve the display, make it slimmer, improve battery, and have it available in many colors.
 
I think that next year the iPod Touch will get a 128 gb update, the Nano will get some kind of update but keep the same design and then since the Nano is so small and the Touch has a high capacity the Classic and Shuffle will die. I think that it makes logical sense especially if they run iOS on the Nano. That way the computers will be OSX and everything else will be iOS (iPod Touch, iPod Nano, ATV, iPhone and iPad). I can see that being the future.
 
I suspect that the classic has a loyal and devoted following (of which I would count myself a part). In any case, I have a classic (80GB) and use it regularly as I have a large music library. Moreover, I like the idea of having it all in one machine where I can access it easily. The classic also comes with a very impressive battery life, something which is much appreciated on long (and sometimes tedious) journeys.

Ever since I bought my first iPod in early 2006 (30GB) and, a few months later, when Apple immediately replaced it without seeking refuge in contractual small-print after the HD died, I have been a big fan of the iPods and of Apple; indeed, their customer support re iPods was one of the reasons I switched to Mac computers.

As it happens, I also have a iTouch (64GB) which is a superb machine, but it and the classic fulfill different needs. Sometimes, one simply needs a splendidly designed, but functional machine which allows one to listen to one's entire music collection for hours on end. The classic does this extremely well, and sometimes a design cannot be improved on by all that much. While the Touch also allows me to do this, the Classic doesn't do distractions, something for which I am sometimes grateful.

Of course, a large SSD drive (128? 256?) would improve the Classic, - indeed, both the Touch and the MBA (and I have both) benefit hugely from this technology - and perhaps, the aesthetics of the Classic could also be refined, but to add endless other technological "bells and whistles" to the Classic may be to miss the point of the device somewhat.

Cheers
 
iEvolution said:
It doesn't even get acknowledged as an iPod by Steve himself..so I bet they just drop it off silently next year unfortunately.

Even though the current 160GB will exceed the iPod Touch capacity for at least 2 years. [2011 might introduce a 128gb model, 2012 will likely be the same capacity, maybe larger capacity in 2013]
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Or maybe he makes a big deal about it, and even puts it in it's own little casket?

Oh silly me, that's just for the really important stuff that every Mac person uses.

But then again, the iPod Retro doesn't sound half bad. I might even try to get one.
 
I was disappointed with the latest Classic's price. It's a basic device with a bit of a capacity bump, so I thought the time was right for a $199.00 price tag. Still selling at $249.00 is rather weak.

As for the future, I think they could make it THE music player again. First 128GB SDD, then re-engineer to be a top flight audio device. That said, I'm not a picky as many others and have had little to complain about sound wise, generally better buds or phones improve its sound drastically. It is far from being unlistenable. But why not rededicate the iPod Classic to its classic function, playing music? And why not a larger screen that horizontally orients the Classic?

Unfortunately, the Classic is not something that can keep contributing to Apple's bottom line like a wireless or 3G device that people can use to make music, movie/TV, and app purchases on the fly.
 
LLPE33 said:
I was disappointed with the latest Classic's price. It's a basic device with a bit of a capacity bump, so I thought the time was right for a $199.00 price tag. Still selling at $249.00 is rather weak.
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I think that is Apple's approach in killing a product. They don't update it and keep the price higher for older technology to justify taking it off the market later due to lack of sales.
 
They put buttons back on the shuffle because people wanted buttons. We'll see what happens with this generation Nano. If enough people demand the tactile feedback and simplicity of the click wheel, it increases the chances the Classic will survive and not be replaced with the Touch, and the Classic will eventually move to SSD with a click wheel. Otherwise I suspect it's toast by the time the Touch hits 128GB at $249.
 
Fast/Furious said:
I don't want it to get axed. After all, it's what arguably brought Apple back from the dead. Every single Apple product and its popularity has everything to owe to the iPod "classic". Pre-2001, if anyone predicted that Apple would be as giant as they are now, every single one of the world's technology industry journalists/analysts would have laughed in your face.
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Every single one of the world's technology industry journalists/analysts laughed at the iPhone.

Just sayin'...
 
Savor said:
I like many of the suggestions for a special 10th year anniversary version. I love to see it get beefed up in CPU and improve the screen. Not make it bigger, but improve the actual display. Also the flash-based memory suggestion and maybe make it thinner while still improving the battery life.
Click to expand...

My idea was: 10th anniversary iPod that looks _exactly_ like the first generation. Plus a little switch that lets you choose between original UI (monochrome display) and modern display. So you can go to your friends and say "look, my 10 year old iPod is still working!" and then "just kidding!".
 
I have a 160GB classic and a 16GB iPhone 3GS. I use the classic for all my music and love the convenience of keeping my entire library (115gb+) on one device with great battery life. My iPhone is then kept free for apps, .pdfs and use as a phone without worrying about the battery dying mid call.

I use the classic daily, either plugged into a pair of Skullcandies on my motorcycle or into the JVC head unit of my truck. My only gripe is with the polished ally back, despite living in a silicon case it still looks scuffed and has a dent or two.

My mother is blind and also has a classic (80GB) that I keep loaded with audiobooks that she uses for up to 12 hours a day and she'd be lost without it. It is easy enough for her carers to use intuitively whereas they may get confused using a touch screen.
 
In my view that iPod Classical has a big competitor is that iPod Touch, we never know when this type will disappear, but not too far.
 
I love the iPod Classic. I always liked the original iPod design. In fact, I am holding until dad's next work trip to Europe to get my first iPod. A 160GB Classic. My iPhone is full, and doesn't have all of my library in it. Plus, the iPod is way better if I'm just about listening to music, plus I don't have to worry about draining my phone's battery life.

If things don't go as planned, and I can't get one and they get discontinued, well, I'll go off to eBay and get a 60-160GB one. Not an issue.

I do find it sad that Apple would kill the product that made them worldwide known, as it's hard to find a person who doesn't know what an iPod is.
 
I hope they keep at least one click wheel option. I like to be able to control my iPod without looking at the screen (just reach in my jacket fast forward, etc).

Hell, I'd love it if they brought back the physical scroll wheel! The wife still uses her 5GB 1st gen in the car because it's easy to reach over and feel actual buttons and moving parts. Yes, that's right, she's still got a perfectly-running 1st gen. I've been through 5 of these damned things already.
 
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hockeyhammer said:
I think that next year the iPod Touch will get a 128 gb update, the Nano will get some kind of update but keep the same design and then since the Nano is so small and the Touch has a high capacity the Classic and Shuffle will die. I think that it makes logical sense especially if they run iOS on the Nano. That way the computers will be OSX and everything else will be iOS (iPod Touch, iPod Nano, ATV, iPhone and iPad). I can see that being the future.
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Shuffle will only die if the nanos price goes down to around the US 79 dollar mark, so about 100 in australia
 
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