The Fate of the iPod Classic..

[chocboy]

Many of us remember the Classic's heyday. It was a dark age for Apple; with Jobs in serious health threats and a then-small company on the fringe, something had to be invented, something so revolutionary, that it would appear in almost every American's pocket. This came in the form of the first truly interactive MP3 player, the iPod. No more lugging the heavy radioes around. No more worrying about scratched CDs or organizing tapes. No more running with bulky WalkMans. It was a new era...the era of the digital music libary. The era of having an entire hard drive in the palm of your hand. The era of the iPod.

And the era lives on. But new, snazzy, young iPods have now matured: the Touch, Nano, and let's not rule out the Shuffle. Now there's iPods that can do everything the Classic does..but for a lower price, lower weight, and more features. It seems like the Classic is falling behind. Who wants a now-bulky, square, and 2004-retro MP3 player? The fad's all touch screen and microtechnology now, and the poor Classic just hasn't got that in it.

And while you'll still come across those who vow to stay loyal to the Classic, those who will always revere its 160-GB memory capacity, the Classic might be on its final decline. It's been left out of the amazing iPod updates....left behind in a frantic craze for the latest and greatest, and the Classic has reached a point where little can be done to help its situation.

What's everyone's take on this? Do you think the classic device that helped put Apple on the rise to become an intellectual superpower will survive? Or will the now-standardized Touch and Nano kick it off the playing field?

[roland.g]

It's the Classic. You may be too young for this. But it is sort of, and only sort of, like when Coke became New Coke, to then go back and become Coke Classic. Of course that whole thing was a publicity stunt to say that nothing about Pepsi is classic. But it worked. People pretty much hated New Coke and Classic became more popular than ever.

Now Apple didn't do any of this. But with all the Nanos, Minis, Shuffles, iPhones, and Touches, they decided to brand the original style iPod the Classic. One thing it did, is pretty much absolved them of having to update it at all. Maybe something every 2 or 3 years, to keep the materials or whatnot current. But my guess is the Classic will hang around until a time when the Touch breaks the 128 or 160GB barrier. At that point it maybe that touchscreens are so prevalent in so many things, etc, that it becomes a relic. But I give it at least 3 more years minimum before it gets EOL'd.

Until then it doesn't need anything, it's just Classic. :)

[SlamJam12]

It's the Classic. You may be too young for this. But it is sort of, and only sort of, like when Coke became New Coke, to then go back and become Coke Classic. Of course that whole thing was a publicity stunt to say that nothing about Pepsi is classic. But it worked. People pretty much hated New Coke and Classic became more popular than ever.


I heard this in my advertising class at the university.

Anyhow, I always thought the iPod was what saved Apple from dying as a company. I always think they could do something to update the device. I would like to see it updated. They could always put 128 GB flash in the iPod classic and make it a little bit slimmer. I would like to see something celebrated for the iPod classic when the 10th anniversary comes around.

[chocboy]

I agree. There will always be a market for those who only care about memory size and functionality, like if you want to use your iPod as an HD movie database to play on your TV. But I have a feeling that eventually, Apple's going to start phasing it out. It'

[Wallace2]

I think it would be pretty cool if for its 10th aniversary Apple update the Classic to look like the first gen but give it modern specs.

[tactician1016]

I think it would be pretty cool if for its 10th aniversary Apple update the Classic to look like the first gen but give it modern specs.

That would be EPIC. "iPod Retro"

[iEvolution]

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]

[Fast/Furious]

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.

The iPod put Apple on the map. It changed the face of the industry so drastically, in a way that absolutely nobody could have predicted. In a way, Apple owes this tiny little player big time.

IMHO, they should put an SSD in it. The prices have been going down lately so I don't see why they don't put in a 128GB or 256GB drive in it. Make it thinner, make the screen a bit bigger, and bring back solid white and solid black. Most people use their Classics as a media storage house anyway, so why not add special software that aids that? Syncing + sharing files with iTV would be a good start, as well as scheduled photo/video/music backups similar to Time Machine.

[Rawkfist]

I like the idea of a large capacity music player. My 120 Classic gets used almost daily. Wishful thinking here but I think the Classic is a "given". As in of course Apple makes a Classic iPod, that's a given. Yes, it's a niche product, but I don't see it going away any time soon. Really not much you can do to a Classic to improve it except up the capacity. Better DAC perhaps. What can be done to the Classic to attract more buyers? Can you really do anything to a music player to attract Touch fans?

[Zoddino]

Next year it will be discontinued for sure. But it's better like that guys, flash memory is going to increase and cost less, that's the future; more space and faster devices for lossless music :cool:

[Gumbercules]

I have always been an advocate for keeping the classic, and continue in that vein.

However, I picked up my old 120GB classic yesterday and (after using my nexus one with its very high res screen) found the display to be appalling, and in general the whole device seemed really quite 'old'.

I think that they should do some sort of update for it (ceramic white glass front perhaps?), but can't see it happening

[blackburn]

The iPod classic doesn't really sell that well. When I has buying accessories they even had the fat ipod classic 160gb for sale.
In my uni there are 2 people that I know that have one. But everybody either has an iphone or an ipod touch. Many people buy an ipod touch nowadays because of the apps not because of the music.

Many stores in my country only carry the ipod and a few sony walkmans and of course the chinese crap that many companies rebrand. They don't even know what cowon is.
The niche that needs high capacity lossless music players shouldn't even be looking at the ipod classic. My classic doesn't sound good, my old walkman sounds better. Most likely they only exist because steve has a lot of them in stock.

The real problem is that portable audio players are losing market to convergence devices. Almost every cellphone includes an reasonable audio player with an 3.5mm jack. They are even cheaper. I can buy an phone with 8gb, wifi and all that stuff for less than an 8gb ipod nano.

If apple made an true audiophile ipod classic that would be great, but hdd players will eventually die. So why would apple bother developing something new?
It makes me sad that the good old music player is about to disappear.

[Fast/Furious]

^ Agreed. I went to Futureshop to pick up my 6G Nano the other day, and the entire iPod display case was completely empty, save for my Nano (which I called earlier and put on hold :D) and row upon row of iPod Classics. I asked the salesman and FS literally only sells about 1-2 per week as opposed to their either iPods which sell out in a matter of days.

[blackburn]

Too bad that ipod classic looks more an historic icon than a music player:(
What made :apple: into the big company that once was almost fading into nonexistence, it's now fading into nonexistence by :apple:.
Quite ironic isn't it?
But times change and minds change. Let's hope that :apple: has something special for the 10th anniversary of the ipod.
An 10th anniversary iPod that matches the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh would be great.

[psychPurple]

even though i just got my new nano, and have had a touch in the past, and even though the screen is smaller than the touch. i still use my iPod 5.5G to get loaded up with videos and take on car trips.

no matter what they make there is a use for it! well in my opinion there is...

[Old Muley]

They can have my 160gb classic when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers! I use mine daily during my commute, while at work and around the house. For me, I enjoy having my entire music library (currently at 126gb) at my fingertips. Hopefully mine will last a long, long time.

[SlamJam12]

But everybody either has an iphone or an ipod touch. Many people buy an ipod touch nowadays because of the apps not because of the music.

This is what bothers me. Down the road, if everything is apps, where is the music player going to be? I dislike the small size of the new nano. The iPod shuffle does not display album artwork and song names. Where is the legit music player?

[Fuchal]

The Classic will be gone as soon as there's a 128GB iPod Touch, which is surely next year.

[psychPurple]

This is what bothers me. Down the road, if everything is apps, where is the music player going to be? I dislike the small size of the new nano. The iPod shuffle does not display album artwork and song names. Where is the legit music player?


you may not like the new nano, but it really is a music player. not much else on it.

[blackburn]

A music player without buttons to change songs. In some situations like in a crowded subway that can be a real life saver..

[NathanA]

Apple is not the kind of company that likes to look back at past successes and reminisce about the "good old days." To Apple, once the iPod Classic has outlived its usefulness in their minds, they will axe it. They have proven time and again that they are willing to kill old products and old features that are "backward-looking." They would rather be looking toward the future, even if future products end up cannibalizing previously popular product lines of theirs.

Yes, the iPod Classic helped in part to save Apple, but Apple's modus operandi is not to look at past products and think "we owe 'em one." It is rather to look at past products and think "that was the past, this is the future."

Personally, I think the iPod Classic is doomed once the Touch hits 128GB, and will probably be kept around until then (and possibly even for a brief time afterward).

-- Nathan

[Alaerian]

Personally, I think the iPod Classic is doomed once the Touch hits 128GB, and will probably be kept around until then (and possibly even for a brief time afterward).

To quote myself from another thread:

I respectfully disagree with you. Even with a 128GB SSD in an iPod Touch, the cost will be FAR more than an iPod Classic. I know there are other people like myself that are interested in a very high capacity music player, but without all the other "fluff" features of an iPod Touch that do nothing but add to the cost.

Here's to hoping that the iPod Classic has a long life ahead of it! :)

[SlamJam12]

To quote myself from another thread:

I respectfully disagree with you. Even with a 128GB SSD in an iPod Touch, the cost will be FAR more than an iPod Classic. I know there are other people like myself that are interested in a very high capacity music player, but without all the other "fluff" features of an iPod Touch that do nothing but add to the cost.

Here's to hoping that the iPod Classic has a long life ahead of it! :)

Absolutely like this quote simply for the differences between the iPod touch and iPod classic. I thought that the iPod nano could become the music player but the new one just doesn't cut it with the size. Its purpose is for the runner. The iPod classic still has portability and many ways to be upgraded.

[ohaithar]

The Classic will be gone as soon as there's a 128GB iPod Touch, which is surely next year.

I doubt it. The classic will live on!

[WilliamG]

I just bought a 160gb classic last week! Love it. Yes, it's got an awful interface (the moving scroll wheel was infinitely better), but it lives in my car connected to my Pioneer navigation system and works great there! I would never carry it around, that's for sure.

[wallaby]

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). :)

[SlamJam12]

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). :)

I may do the same thing. I will wait a while. The iPod classic is the last clickwheel device standing.

[rgarjr]

The Classic will definitely get a revamp on its 10th year anniversary next year.

[SlamJam12]

The Classic will definitely get a revamp on its 10th year anniversary next year.

May I ask why? I certainly would love to see an anniversary update/upgrade for the iPod classic.

[MonkeyET]

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.

[Savor]

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.

[PhelpsiPhan]

I think in the next few years it will be EOL'd

[hockeyhammer]

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.

[Scepticalscribe]

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

[jasonbitesapple]

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]

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.

[LLPE33]

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.

[BornAgainMac]

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.


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.

[Long]

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.

[ManuelGnR]

I love my Classic, mostly for two reasons: storage and patience. :apple:

[Scepticalscribe]

I love my Classic, mostly for two reasons: storage and patience. :apple:

Agree completely, but also, for the excellent battery life.

Cheers

[Compile 'em all]

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.

Every single one of the world's technology industry journalists/analysts laughed at the iPhone.

Just sayin'...

[gnasher729]

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.

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!".

[mister.kevin]

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.

[Brucewl]

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.

[Hisdem]

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.

[tactician1016]

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.

what?

[Wendell F]

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.

[marshallbedsaul]

obsolete :p

[My name is Alex]

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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.

Shuffle will only die if the nanos price goes down to around the US 79 dollar mark, so about 100 in australia