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iWatch May Ultimately Replace iPod, No iPod Updates Expected in 2014

I wouldn't be saying this, Until it actually comes out...

We have heard rumor after rumor, and even a 2014 mention, but guess what Google has done the same thing with Glass, apps and all that what it can do, design etc...

that's all well and good, but we have not seem anything yet.

This is like the backwards of update process. You don't cram as much stuff in while users are constantly on the edge of the seat waiting for it to happen, even with delays..

You release a product so users are happy, then release software updates to the watch..

That, i would have felt more happy with. At least people would have something to use.
 
You can't be serious!

MacRumors said:
but believes the iWatch will "essentially replace the iPod in the consumer portion of AAPL's product lineup" and will see lowered iPod sales as a result of customers choosing the iWatch instead.
Click to expand...

And I'm assuming he pulled this out of his ass?

The iWatch will not replace the iPod in the same way an iPad will not replace a Macbook.

The reason for declining sales is because everyone has a smartphone and will now put music on it instead of a dedicated music player.
But that's not to say iPod sales will fall to zero, people will always want a dedicated music player.
I own an iPhone but its only 8GB and the free space for music gets eaten by apps, photos etc. and I choose to use a iPod Shuffle for cycling and an iPod Classic to carry my entire collection, not to mention I hate pulling my iPhone out of my pocket to change music and want an iPod for that.

Apple only lost sales on their iPod range and iTunes to people who were never really that interested in music and don't hold big collections on iTunes, they are now streaming music to their phones but there will always be people buying iPods for their music.

Apple had the entire market but are are having to fight their place against new rivals and new tech, so the idea of the iPod falling off the edge of the plant is complete bulls***.

This analyst at Susquehanna Financial Group are much like any analysts, they don't know jacks*** but like to talk garbage because if they use the world "Apple" they instantly receive an audience and then it gets posted to the front page of MacRumors.

This is the same analyst that reported that iPhone 5 sales were strong 3 months after release, no s*** Sherlock!
 
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Umm people and companies use their iTouch devices for payment systems and whatnot. I don't think they are going away anytime soon. iWatch is an entirely different use case than the iTouch. I mean sometimes these "analysts" are just guessing and if they thought for half a second they could save themselves the embarrassment.
 
I'd be surprised if they don't upgrade any iPods in 2014.

I'd be surprised if they do upgrade any iPods in 2014.

With Apple's track record since Jobs departed, I'm surprised at everything Apple isn't doing and the little they do. They run their product lines like it is a hassle to be in business; as if they don't have enough resources to update products on a yearly cycle.
 
Advil said:
no way. kids who can't have iPhones want the next best thing...iPods... i think if anything they'll just slow down updates.
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Very true. My daughter and her friends all got iPod Touches in lieu of a phone when they were about 10-12 years old. That was the gateway drug into owning an iPhone - which she now does. However, she said that Android phones are considered "cool", so this move would hurt that very important young market for Apple.
 
shansoft said:
iPod touch is way inferior compare to iPhone on the same generation.

They need to bump the specs and stop selling outdated hardware.
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They need to get rid of the iPod Classic, iPod shuffle, and drop the price of the nano. The iPod touch should get an upgrade to iphone 5 specs with a 5MP camera and keep the same pricing.
 
The writings on the wall. Clearly Apple is going to keep the iPod branding and introduce an iPod wearable, but discontinue the nano and shuffle.
 
iPod Classic - If the iPod Classic haven't been updated for years, it probably is on its last version.
iPod Touch - I bet the iPod Touch will get a few more updates before it is buried. They will probably try and make it cheaper and focus on games, music and entertainment. Will surely get options for larger storage and thus making the iPod Classic redundant. This should continue to be the entry-level for iOS.
iPod Nano - Might get larger storage, but Apple probably sees it as a has-been.
iPod Shuffle - See iPod Nano.

My guess is that iWatch will not mean the end of iPods. iPod is a declining business, yes, but as long as it is profitable and don't take up resources needed in other departments, Apple will continue selling it.

iWatch will probably resemble something like a iPod Nano with a notification center and of course extra features, like fitness and various connectivity.

Personally I would not like to use the iWatch as a notifier. With a smartphone, I feel to exposed to disturbing notifications as it is. However, I could really see myself using it for digitalizing notes to Evernote, as a remote for my smartphone and as a paying device.
 
richwoodrocket said:
They need to get rid of the iPod Classic, iPod shuffle, and drop the price of the nano.
Click to expand...

Why?

The iPod Classic does what the iPhone can't, store your entire music/movie collection.

The iPod Nano is only $149/£129 for 16GB when the last generation of Nano's were $149/£129 for 8GB and $179/£159 for 16GB.

The iPod Shuffle is only $49/£40, it's the entry level iPod.

I do believe it's about time the iPod Classic had a price drop though, it's been $249/£200 for way too long, especially when you can by 2TB hard drives for less then that.
 
Menel said:
IPod Touch best thing for kids since Gameboy!
Cant kill it. :(
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Yup this, all the kids at my daughters school uses them to play games and when at home watch youtube and follow each other on their favorite social media site. It has a great camera for their selfies (yeah and other questionable things). Its basically a great all in one that plays movies and videos minus a phone. My daughter begs me for one at least once a week...I'll get her one at the end of the year. Maybe
 
Harv88 said:
Why?



The iPod Classic does what the iPhone can't, store your entire music/movie collection.



The iPod Nano is only $149/£129 for 16GB when the last generation of Nano's were $149/£129 for 8GB and $179/£159 for 16GB.



I do believe it's about time the iPod Classic had a price drop though, it's been $249/£200 for way too long, especially when you can by 2TB hard drives for less then that.
Click to expand...


The iPod Classic still has a hard drive. I see very few people with them, and there are better alternatives out there. Maybe Apple could refresh the iPod Classic and make it like the iPod touch except without and radios or antennas except bluetooth and give it a 255gb storage option.
The iPod nano is way over priced. For $80 more you get everything the iPod touch has. And by the way, Apple dropped the price of the 6th gen nano to $129/8gb $149/16gb. That's when I picked up an 8gb one when I had a bunch of gift cards.
 
Just curious: How many posters here have an iPod classic that resides in the car? I have the 180GB with about 18,000 songs on it, and it sounds great. All the menus are easily accessible from my car display. I also have an iPhone 5 that allows me to stream from iTunes Match (I can't fit my entire library on the iPod classic).
 
shansoft said:
iPod touch is way inferior compare to iPhone on the same generation.
They need to bump the specs and stop selling outdated hardware.
Click to expand...

That Tim Cook can't get these product updates out, with all the resources they have, doesn't look good. They can't sell a 32 gig iPod Nano for $149?
 
richwoodrocket said:
The iPod Classic still has a hard drive.
Click to expand...

It's cheaper to have a hard drive of that size than flash memory.

richwoodrocket said:
I see very few people with them, and there are better alternatives out there.
Click to expand...

After I sold my 120GB Classic I went shopping for the 160GB version and most places were out of stock, not bad for a old relic you might think.

And lets be honest, an iPod Classic is not exactly an iPod you take out with you and show off to your friends.
I don't see iPods either, just white earphones ;)
 
Personally, I think the iPod lineup will downsize to just 1 or 2 units. The iPod Classic will most likely be discontinued first. Any other device without the new lightning connector will be discontinued as well.

----------
Harv88 said:
It's cheaper to have a hard drive of that size than flash memory.



After I sold my 120GB Classic I went shopping for the 160GB version and most places were out of stock, not bad for a old relic you might think.

And lets be honest, an iPod Classic is not exactly an iPod you take out with you and show off to your friends.
I don't see iPods either, just white earphones ;)
Click to expand...

The only reason I would consider buying an iPod Classic is for my car. The ability to display movies/tv shows/music videos in my vehicle with aftermarket radio/display is nice. However, I rarely have the time to do this now. The little video I do watch in the car is from my iPhone when I am a passenger.
 
The iPod business is declining in part because they've neglected it over the past few years. Why is there still no 128GB version? Why no new colours? Why no updates last year? Why no new designs? If Apple can't be bothered with the iPod anymore it's no surprise that sales are declining.

Initial demand for the Pono proves that there is still demand out there.
 
I can totally see this happening!

In fact, I think they'll come out with iWatch models to specifically kill the iPod. E.g., they'll have removable wrist bands or even no wrist band at all and probably be more rigid and rectangular than the base iWatch, so they'll completely displace iPods in your pocket. That would also let them do a bigger sreen or add controls to specifically make music playback optimal. After a while I bet it might even some in a variety of sizes, capacities and price-points to suit everyone's needs.

Yep.
 
Zendokan said:
.
For the future of iPod Classic, it will all depend from the capacity of the ssd that they can fit into the iPod Touch, if it's 128 or 256, it's bye bye Classic, if it's 64, the Classic will stay.
Question will be if they can and would install a ssd of 128 or 256 in the Classic. Even an 128 ssd would get the most Classic fan's to buy it.
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Not going to happen. It isn't an issue of not fitting an SSD of 128/256GB, it is what such an SSD would do to Apples finely crafted pricing structure.

It would cause quite a stir if Apple were to produce an iPod Classic w/128GB SSD for $250. (worse if it were a 256GB SSD for the same price)
 
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