iPod Classic Supplies Tightening Ahead of Possible Update or Discontinuation

[Santabean2000]

I know people who still have CD changers in their car. They hold 5 CDs. With an iPod Classic you can hold many albums in the glove compartment of your car and plug into your radio. I still have an old 120HD attached to one of my TVs (one that doesn't have an TV). Granted, I don't use one for moving files anymore (I use small form portable HDs that come in 500GB/1TB size for that).

Exactly.

 

[unwinded]

People are going to be mixed on this. On one hand, it's time to retire the classic ipod. On the other hand, a flash-based ipod can't compare in storage capacity. At least not at the same price point.

I don't think Apple have the guts to discontinue it just yet. But it's on it's last legs

 

[fabianjj]

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It would be pretty nice if they released a totally new classic, with 256gb ssd, VGA-resolution display, wifi for wireless synching and airplay, and the graphics hardware for outputting 720p maybe 1080p video. And the market it as the ultimate portable media hub.

EDIT: Support for the Headphone controls, voiceover, and voice commands would also be welcome additions

Maybe even allow for some apps for different music and video streaming services.

Either that or just discontinue the old relic and put everything in the cloud.

 

[Starship77]

Put iOS on it!

What I think apple should do is just put iOS in the classic... It must not be that hard since it's in the AppleTV already and it has a non-touch interface. Just put a layer to interface with the click wheel and use iOS. They could also have a slightly bigger screen that would be cool for watching videos... I think it's possible...

About the HDD not being fast enough for iOS, they could have a small amount of flash for the system (like 2GB) and use the HDD for the content.

But please, don't discontinue it! I would love to use the click wheel to navigate the smooth iOS interface!

 

[wonderspark]

The über iPod would be 220GB space with wifi/3/4G. Then I could hold my 190GB music collection, or use Pandora/Slacker/etc. if desired.

 

[Vulpinemac]

Like who listens to over 100 GB of music?

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

Which means that if even one person on these forums does so, they exceed your estimated audience.

Say 'Hi' to your estimate shot down the drain. I and my wife both use iPod classics--hers for exercise and mine for long-distance traveling. Granted, neither of us is likely to listen to 43+ days worth of music straight through, but we each like to have our full library available to accommodate changes in mood when we're listening.

 

[Prime Mover]

Still the best interface FOR MUSIC, IMO. I find it MUCH easier to navigate a library with the scroll wheel than touch screen, especially on-the-go. The wheel provides tactle feedback, the screen is just a solid slate. I listen in my car, and I can quickly choose new songs while waiting at a stoplight. iPhone/touch is a great multi-function device, great interface for being flexable enough to do practically anything well... but for music, the click-wheel is perfection.

I've had an old iPod 5G for over 5 years. half the pixels on the screen are missing and the thing is full of dust, but I'm going to make it last as long as I possibly can, and then get another one on eBay if Apple drops the classic.

Funny though, my favorite interface ever was the old 3G with buttons above the solid wheel. I liked having the separate buttons that I could feel. And it was the only iPod with no moving parts (save the hold switch). But the click wheel has been great too.

And for those of you who are arguing against having a giant HD capacity. You must not know the joy of "sync it and forget it". Sometimes it's great to have instant access to suddenly be able to listen to that tune you haven't heard in 4 years. Back when I had my 15GB 3G, I remember when I reached my capacity, suddenly syncing my iPod was a chore, I had to go through and decide each track I wanted to listen to, and then there were numerous times I was out and about and I'd think, "gee, I really want to listen to that... nope, I didn't put it on today". I was SO HAPPY when I got my 60GB 5G. I keep all my music really organized too, all 400+ albums.

 

[Mac-Mariachi]

Just in Case

I own a (now broken) 1st gen iPod and a 3rd gen iPod classic and now I have a couple of Touches as well as some shuffles and a nanos (can´t help it)... might get me one of the current classics just in case they´re discontinued.

 

[milbournosphere]

Sure hope it gets updated...or at least gets a firmware update so that I can actually use my iPod Classic's 30 pin connector with my Jeep. The fact that I have to bust out my old iPod 5G to use my steering wheel controls is just sad.

I hope they don't discontinue it, as the click wheel and older\simpler menu system really works well in situations where tactile feedback is required, like driving a car, walking with the iPod in a pocket, etc.

 

[cube]

So, maybe another "rush and buy on closeout" item.

Like MBP ExpressCard and ATV1.

 

[ghostlyorb]

I think it would be bad if they discontinued it. I have friends who have them and love them cause they can have ALL of their music on one device. They have too much music to fit on their iPhone. I know someone who has maxed out the capacity of an iPod classic.. and still has a lot more music.

 

[ghostlyorb]

Sure hope it gets updated...or at least gets a firmware update so that I can actually use my iPod Classic's 30 pin connector with my Jeep. The fact that I have to bust out my old iPod 5G to use my steering wheel controls is just sad.

I hope they don't discontinue it, as the click wheel and older\simpler menu system really works well in situations where tactile feedback is required, like driving a car, walking with the iPod in a pocket, etc.

I completely agree with you!

 

[nep61]

Like who needs to use over 640KB of RAM?

Brilliant ! Ahhh, what a smart guy Bill was! Such a visionary... And he and his team of visionary visionaries invented the Zune... and all was right with the world.

 

[wilsonlaidlaw]

Buy a few and keep in storage

I use these in homes and cars. The iPod touch just does not fill the bill. Maybe I better buy a few now and keep them in storage.

Wilson

 

[Popeye206]

It's time to retire the Classic. It does not fit into the new iOS product line very well.

However, the concept of the Classic is still good... a large storage iPod... maybe it just needs a fresh design?

 

[kavika411]

You've got to love that one of the sources is a website called applebitch.com. Hysterical.

That's interesting. I predict that they are moving towards the following model. First, only flash drives (whereas the iPod class still had the hard drive in it). Second, all iPods will have wifi capability (except, perhaps, the Shuffle). Third, Apple will unveil the mysterious data center; among other things, as part of MobileMe you can have your music there - in the "cloud" - and access it whenever you are on wifi (with an iPod) or, if you have an iPhone, through wifi or 3G. What I can't figure out, however, is if you'll be able to "push" your existing non-iTunes Store music to the cloud or how that will work. At a minimum, I do believe this is the last of classic, big-ass hard drive iPods.

 

[Zmmyt]

If I would have all my music in Apple Lossless I had a Classic in my pocket.

 

[_Refurbished_]

The iPod Classic is getting discontinued for one simple reason:

It doesn't utilize the App Store.

Apple's next bump in HD capacity should satisfy most consumers. 128GB is plenty of storage, even for people with large libraries. Apple is trying to lock in the average user. For someone who wants something larger than 128GB, they can always hit up Ebay to buy a discontinued iPod Classic or get another brand. It's not worth Apple's time to worry about the 200GB crowd.

Clearly, Apple's focus is iOS. There is very little demand for the classic iPod.

 

[pagansoul]

My MacBook Pro is the one with the Express slot. I love it. Sometimes the old design is better and some times it is not.

 

[RawBert]

This was a great design. No doubt. But it's about to turn 10 years old. I think it's time for the iPod to be retired. Apple's product approach is very progressive and it surprises me that the classic iPod design is still available in 2011. I think Apple was just waiting to close it out at 1 decade old. I'll miss it though.

 

[ajallen125]

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I was at Sam's Club today and checked their iPod Classic stock... zero! Every other class of iPod was fully stocked. There may be some truth to this story.

 

[sphoenix]

I would say the classic "click wheel" still lives through the iPod nano, but they managed to screw that up with the 6th-gen.

 

[jeffy.dee-lux]

I was late to the iPod game, stuck with a CD player till 2007, but I now feel strongly about a device that can hold my entire library. I like to decide what to listen to when I'm about to listen to it. I don't like having to plan ahead to what I might want to listen to on a given day or on a longer trip.

This device is for music, plus I keep a handful of my favourite photos with me, a couple hundred MB worth maybe. I don't need a device with a touch screen, and I don't need iOS or any apps. I don't want to pay $400 just to get the iOS device that comes with enough storage for my needs. I need a 100+ GB music player with maybe a 2 inch screen, and I guess Apple is on the verge of deciding whether there are enough people like me to justify them building such a product.

 

[SkippyThorson]

I'm slightly surprised to see all of the users here that believe the Classic should be a permanent fixture in Apple's lineup.

I would seriously consider picking up a new Classic should Apple update it. I have outgrown it in Music, but for movies, I sure have. I would love support for more video types, and definitely wouldn't mind a refreshed interface. A redesign would just be the end-all of awesomeness.

 

[Astro7x]

Clearly, Apple's focus is iOS. There is very little demand for the classic iPod.

Just because they are focused on iOS doesn't mean they are abandoning all products that don't utilize it.

The Nano doesn't use iOS and they update that every year too. The Classic has not been updated in awhile because, well... what the hell else are you going to do with it?