You probably haven't missed this news: last night, Apple officially announced the end of production of the latest iPod touch. We could also read almost everywhere that this meant the definitive end of the iPod range. Although it is very likely that the product will no longer return to Apple's shelves, the Californian firm, in its press kit, has not clearly stated that it will never release an iPod again...
Still, it confirms that the spirit of the iPod will continue, no longer thanks to a dedicated device, but via other premium products such as the iPhone, the iPad or the HomePod mini, among others.
We obviously don't see the iPod ever coming back to the forefront. So, farewell, dear player.
The iPod: a revolution at its launch
Just like the iPhone, the iPod marked its era. The portable music player was launched in 2001. For its presentation in October of that year, Apple invited journalists with the following slogan:
“We're going to introduce you to a revolutionary digital device (it's not a Mac).”
The first iPod of the name therefore arrived with a 5 GB hard drive in the basic version, a 2-inch diagonal screen and an extremely practical wheel for navigating its library and managing playback. It had to connect to a Mac Life FireWire to recharge its 1200 mAh battery. It is also via this connection that music was sent to the player. The iTunes software was also essential in the maneuver, which was the case until the latest iPod touch model.
See Steve Jobs' conference announcing the first iPod below.
Why was the iPod a revolution? By two characteristics that make up Apple's DNA: aextreme ease of useand amost successful design. Moreover, regarding the second point, the device has received numerous awards going as far as thePresident's Medalof theRoyal Academy of Engineeringgiven to Jonathan Ive, designer of the device.
classic, nano, mini, touch, shuffle
Since 2001 and its very first iteration, the iPod has undergone several evolutions. It went to the formatminiover two generations, in 2004 and 2005. It took the formatnanoover 7 generations, from 2005 to 2012.
All iPod nano © Apple Insider
At the same time, from 2005 to 2010, you could get a very small version of the iPod, without a screen, it was the iPodshuffle, which has known 4 generations. Finally, the latest addition to the family is the iPodtouch, with a design very close to an iPhone with Home button. The iPod touch was first released in 2007 and has been available in 7 generations, the last dating from 2019.
Collection d’iPod © MacRumors / MattyMac
Note also that the original iPod earned the name “classic” in 2007, for its 7th generation, this year it was the only iPod still displaying, more or less, the same design as that of the very first version of the player.
iPod classic © Unsplash / Brett Jordan
The video below presents the different versions of the iPod until 2015 and the penultimate version of the iPod touch:
Why will Apple no longer sell iPods?
With its decision, Apple intends to make it clear that there is little chance of ever seeing an iPod on its shelves again. And that’s quite logical. In the age of music streaming, where few people still listen to their favorite songs by storing mp3s on a portable music player via iTunes,the iPod is no longer in the game.
And then it no longer holds up against the brand's other products, the iPhone in particular. For the same price as the iPod, i.e. €249 for the 32 GB version, it may be smarter to turn to an old refurbished iPhone, like the X model for example, which offers 64 GB of storage, Face ID and many other featuresfor just €20 more(see alsothe refurbished iPhone XR at €279etthe refurbished iPhone XS at €282).
If, despite everything, the iPod still interests you, know that it is still on sale at Apple, but also at several online resellers. Apple said it well: you will be able toget the latest iPod touch while supplies last. The iPod touch isnotably available here for €219en version 32 Go,or there for €360 in 128 GB version.
Find elsewherethe complete technical sheet of the iPod touch at Apple.
A part of tech history is turning
On Twitter, reactions were numerous and often filled with emotion following Apple's announcement.
Apple has officially discontinued….. the iPod
RIP to my first ever tech purchase, an iPod touch 2nd genhttps://t.co/BJNfUXdHyc pic.twitter.com/KjCpmWDLqL
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD)May 10, 2022
The arrival of the iPhone did not overshadow the iPod, at least initially. In fact, the iPod served for several years asgateway to the world of Apple products, due to its accessibility in terms of price.
And indeed, many users, myself included, took their first steps into the Apple Store with the iPod, but also discovered or rediscovered their personal music library thanks to this unique player.
And you, what is your relationship with the iPod? Did you have one? If so, what was the model?
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