iPod Classic Supplies Tightening Ahead of Possible Update or Discontinuation

[MacRumors]

​

Late last month, we noted that Toshiba had introduced new 1.8-inch hard drives topping out at 220 GB and carrying the same form factor used in the existing iPod classic. With Apple's iPod classic currently coming in at 160 GB, the capacity bump would be a substantial one if Apple elected to adopt the new drives.

With that information floating around, observers have been keeping their eyes on stock levels for the iPod classic, hoping to see some indication of a change in availability. AppleBitch has found just that information, seeing shipping estimates from Apple and other vendors slipping in recent days, primarily for the silver model.The Apple Store shows that the silver iPod Classic now ships in 1-3 days, down from 24 hours last week. In addition, Best Buy has updated their website to say that the device is backordered for 1-2 weeks (last week it was shipped in 1 day) and Target also has it backordered for 2-4 weeks. Currently the shortage only seems to be affecting the silver colored model, the dark colored version appears relatively unaffected.Questions remain, of course, about what this information might mean. Apple's product availability does tend to ebb and flow as the company manages its finely-tuned inventory channels, although such delays are sometimes indicative of upcoming changes to Apple's product lines.

And even if the tightening supplies do indicate a forthcoming change, it is unknown whether that change might be refreshed models carrying the new larger-capacity drives or if Apple may simply finally be discontinuing the iPod classic. The iPod classic has not been updated in nearly 18 months, and Apple CEO Jobs notably reported at the company's September 2010 iPod-focused event that Apple was introducing an "all-new" iPod lineup. That statement came even as the iPod classic remained untouched, suggesting that Apple might simply be relegating the iPod classic to the back burner and potentially phasing it out.

Article Link: iPod Classic Supplies Tightening Ahead of Possible Update or Discontinuation

 

[RonHC]

The iPod Classic what?

Probably will be discontinued due to the iOS focus

 

[applefan69]

wouldnt it be interesting of apple released a new version of this iPod that would make us all remember and want the iPod again?

Doubt it, but it would stir some things up as most people are forgetting apples once flagship product.

 

[GeekLawyer]

The iPod Classic what?

The iPod Classic

http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/

 

[TigerWoodsIV]

Whatever they're doing, they better have an iPod with a huge capacity. I don't feel like spending 400 on an iPod touch 128 GB if that happens by the time I need another iPod. Apple has to keep something that can support people who love music enough to have over 100GB.

 

[IJBrekke]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_6 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8E200 Safari/6533.18.5)

It won't be phased out until the 128gb iPod Touch, I'm guessing. I'm surprised they're doing anything now, frankly. When people complain about the Classic, lack of hard drive space is certainly not anywhere near the top of their list.

 

[BC2009]

The iPod Classic what?

Probably will be discontinued due to the iOS focus

The Nano and Shuffle do not run iOS. It may just be that few people actually try to carry their entire giant iTunes library on an iPod.

EDIT: Apple may suggest that folks with large iTunes libraries simply purchase more than one iPod Touch.

 

[srxtr]

Like who listens to over 100 GB of music?

This probably covers a small percentage of audience, maybe 0.0001%...

 

[ironman159]

Apple giveth and Apple taketh away.

 

[gugy]

I hope Apple keep the Classic. Seriously it's not a big deal for them and there is something about having a huge storage as one option for folks with large libraries and uncompressed music.

 

[WilliamG]

Like who listens to over 100 GB of music?

This probably covers a small percentage of audience, maybe 0.0001%...

Lots of people keep iPods with over 100GB in music in their cars. It's super convenient that way. So I hope Apple doesn't phase it out. It's more likely to get a size bump I'd say. Let's not forget Apple spent the money to get the iPod classic to where it is - it makes no sense to ditch it. Much easier to just put a larger drive in it and keep making profits, no matter how slow the sales might be compared to iOS devices or the nano/shuffle.

 

[Mister Snitch]

Who names their site "AppleBitch"? Geez.

 

[yg17]

Like who listens to over 100 GB of music?

This probably covers a small percentage of audience, maybe 0.0001%...

I like having my entire music collection (around 150 GB) with me at all times. Never know when you want to listen to something.

 

[Salacion]

Personally, I hope it's discontinued.

Because if that happens, then Apple has to upgrade the storage in their iPods and iPhones.

I really want a 128 GB iPod Touch or 64 GB iPhone.

 

[pawelthegreat]

Me guess they are not selling like hot pancakes!

Too bad!
Snatch them up while they are here.

Not everyone wants a 128GB iPod Touch!

 

[Santabean2000]

Who is the Classic relevant for these days anyway?

I was trying to think why I might want one, and couldn't come up with anything...

 

[OllyW]

Still the best iPod for music. It will be a sad day when it gets dropped.

 

[GregA]

I think there's room for a big HDD iPod in Apple's lineup, hope it continues. But I'd like to see it do something different.

For example - reverse our current model. If I have a 64GB laptop, why not have all my data on the 220GB iPod, and when I connect it it syncs a subset of that to my computer. ie: my computer has a few photos and music but most resides on the iPod.

Or, similarly, give the iPod Classic wifi capability, and auto syncing with our future MobileMe cloud systems.

Oh.. no reason not to dump the 'classic' but introduce a 220GB iPod Touch (HDD based).

 

[snowmen]

Like who listens to over 100 GB of music?

This probably covers a small percentage of audience, maybe 0.0001%...

Like who needs to use over 640KB of RAM?

This probably covers a small percentage of user

 

[Icaras]

The Nano and Shuffle do not run iOS. It may just be that few people actually try to carry their entire giant iTunes library on an iPod.

EDIT: Apple may suggest that folks with large iTunes libraries simply purchase more than one iPod Touch.

They also don't use click wheels like the Classic does, which is the last of it's kind. And just like the Mac Pro, people will begin to speculate whether this is the end or not for this particular market.

You can also argue that the Nano is using a variation of iOS, though a very skimmed version, as it uses multi-touch now and the same GUI.

 

[Salacion]

Who is the Classic relevant for these days anyway?

I was trying to think why I might want one, and couldn't come up with anything...

Let me break it down.

iPod Touch = 64GB
iPod Classic = 160 GB

Person has 80 gigs of music he wants to take with him at all times. What does he buy?

 

[bawbag]

Who names their site "AppleBitch"? Geez.

Brilliant name!!!

 

[MrWillie]

Whatever they're doing, they better have an iPod with a huge capacity. I don't feel like spending 400 on an iPod touch 128 GB if that happens by the time I need another iPod. Apple has to keep something that can support people who love music enough to have over 100GB.

How easy is it to navigate though that much music to find something? That's the reason I have been staying with the Nano's.

The Nano and Shuffle do not run iOS. It may just be that few people actually try to carry their entire giant iTunes library on an iPod.

EDIT: Apple may suggest that folks with large iTunes libraries simply purchase more than one iPod Touch.

Or learn how to better manage their files.

Anyway I am glad I haven't pulled the trigger yet and upgrade my 3rd gen Nano.

 

[roadbloc]

I hope it isn't discontinued.

 

[smokestack]

AppleBitch has really been stepping up lately!