Apple Obsoletes 16GB Fifth-Generation iPod touch

[MacRumors]

Apple today added the 16GB fifth-generation iPod touch, released in 2013, to its list of obsolete products.

This specific variation of the iPod touch was released as a lower-end option to the fifth-generation iPod touch released a year earlier. Compared to its 32GB and 64GB companions, the 16GB model was only offered in a single silver color and lacked a rear camera or loop.

Apple followed up the fifth-generation iPod touch with the sixth-generation in the summer of 2015. Compared to the previous generation, the newer model featured improved performance and the removal of the wrist strap. Since the seventh-generation iPod touch released in 2019, Apple has not yet updated its iconic product.

Apple classifies products that have been discontinued for at least seven years as "obsolete," meaning that they cannot receive any hardware service from Apple or its service providers.

Article Link: Apple Obsoletes 16GB Fifth-Generation iPod touch

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

RIP! Ahead of it's time in 2013.

 

[Metrosey]

Totally unacceptable


PS - This was a joke

 

[Joe_]

“The iPod should stick around…”

 

[contacos]

not surprised, with 16 GB it must be full before even putting many apps on it. At least that's the case on my old 6S nowadays. I have literally 1 3rd party App on it and there is not enough room to install a OTA Update. Blows my mind that the first iPhone had like 4GB?

 

[LFC2020]

7 years support is a fair effort.

 

[Grifer Pittin]

My 32 Gb blue iPod Touch 5G from 2013 keeps rocking with extreme good battery life!!!
This is one of the best devices I've ever purchased from Apple. It was before I purchased the iPhone, and I'm still using it with downloaded maps, good music, streaming and even the video cameras are great for side recording. What a beautiful device!

And it has one thing that Apple seems to have forgotten: when I leave the device idle for weeks, it still has some battery after a month without touching it. That's something I miss from most current devices.

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

RIP! Ahead of it's time in 2013.

In what way? Since we’d had six years of iPhones by this point, I don’t really get how basically an iPhone with no cellular capabilities was ahead of its time?

 

[yabeweb]

Time for a new one, may be more focused on music and less on apps..

 

[JustAnExpat]

Expect support for the 6th and 7th editions to be dropped soon too

 

[Smooch]

“The iPod should stick around…”

It's a really great and affordable device for development and testing...

 

[shakerstevens]

Expect support for the 6th and 7th editions to be dropped soon too

Apple only obsolete a product 7 years after its discontinued to purchase. And since the 7th gen is still available to purchase today - it won't be made obsolete until at least the year 2028

 

[lamerica80]

Why is this product still around? Who buys it and why?

 

[shakerstevens]

The 5th and 6th generation models are so nice to hold and are great for smaller hands, children or a more pocketable device. Its a shame the 5th only goes to iOS 9.3.5 - hardly any apps support that now.
My kids have the 6th Gen and will be receiving 7th Gen models this Christmas from me, much easier for them to carry around and keep in their pockets then their iPads.

 

[leslieg]

Why is this product still around? Who buys it and why?

I don’t know about the consumer market but it’s definitely an important product for businesses to use has a handheld device for their internal systems that don’t require cellular. We have many of them at my work.

 

[verdi1987]

I’ve never seen “obsolete” used as a verb, but I consulted two dictionaries and both had verb entries for the word.

 

[Shirasaki]

This reminds me I need to check if my 11” MacBook Air is close to be obsolete. Need to get a battery replaced sooner than later.

 

[Aoligei]

Why is this product still around? Who buys it and why?

Well. If Apple update iPod touch regularly, there is a big market for kids and gate way to Apple ecosystem.

It is kind ridiculous that Apple is charging 200 dollars for iPod touch where you can buy a used iPhone 7 for half of the price. It is Apple’s fault neglect iPod touch.

 

[Aoligei]

This reminds me I need to check if my 11” MacBook Air is close to be obsolete. Need to get a battery replaced sooner than later.

You probably able to find battery on Amazon or Aliexpress for your 11” MacBook Air

 

[Oohara]

Oh man the pang of nostalgia when I saw those good old icons

 

[OliOliOliOli]

I’ve never seen “obsolete” used as a verb, but I consulted two dictionaries and both had verb entries for the word.

How old they're?

 

[ScreenSavers]

Unsurprising, although this remains one of the cheapest devices you can pick up used to play Apple Music, along with the iPhone 4S.

 

[DanTSX]

Meh. It’s an iPhone without cellular, or an iPads extra mini.

Apple keeps it around because it’s the end of the product line that brought Apple devices to consumers that were not Apple computer owners.


I miss the simplicity of the old click wheel iPods. You could intuitively scroll through selections without even looking at the device, and the shake to shuffle music feature was great. They also sounded better than anything short of a 11/12 paired with AirPod pros.

 

[Breaking Good]

I don’t know about the consumer market but it’s definitely an important product for businesses to use has a handheld device for their internal systems that don’t require cellular. We have many of them at my work.

I'm very curious to know the type of business and how you use them. Also, what was the pull towards an Apple product versus something else?

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Time for a new one, may be more focused on music and less on apps..

The good thing about iOS is you can make the iPod touch focus on whatever you want. You can delete all the other apps and only have music on the Home Screen. Even better, you can lock the iPod into just the music app with guided access.