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iPod New iPod in 2015 - Now or never?
- Thread starter Hankkk
- Start date
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The current market for them is tiny, and it's not in Apple's interest to invest in it.
I can't see them making another unless something big changes.
This is Apple's vision moving forward.
EDIT: I'd throw an Apple TV in there too
I can't see them making another unless something big changes.
This is Apple's vision moving forward.
EDIT: I'd throw an Apple TV in there too
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I suggest everyone interested in a new iPod head on over to head fi forums... There a a significant section of resources available on iPod alternative DAPs. FiioX5 (X7 coming) are extremely attractive alternatives with better DACs, ability to handle 256 gigs or 512 gigs via expansion slots, and solid interface UIs.
They won't be as simple as the ipod interface but many alternatives in the HiFi category are good to great options.
They won't be as simple as the ipod interface but many alternatives in the HiFi category are good to great options.
The problem is that they're just not as integrated into the Apple eco system as an iPod is 🙁
No I get that and I'd prefer an apple product all day over the alternatives.... but and a huge but is that Apple continues to ignore our needs.
These alternatives have a better SSD/expandable memory option, on board amp, high quality dac to drive headphones of today (lulz at Beats, they do not count).
My music collection is 2 TB hence a 512 gig portable solution works best for me.
I don't want a cloud, I do not want to stream; I want a player that will easily transport my collection and play what I want where I want.
Mac 128
macrumors 603
How do you figure? It's every bit as useful as the iPod Shuffle, with the same music storage ability, and does considerably more.
If the Watch weren't so expensive I would say that it would easily replace the Shuffle. As it is, I'm not sure it won't eventually replace the nano once it drops in price and gains more storage?
I expect the iPod Touch to be around a couple of more years, replacing the Classic for storage, probably adding 128gb option this year. If the iPhone 7 adds a 256GB model, then the Touch will be history.
So I figure 2 years life left for the iPod line, except for the Shuffle which may linger on indefinitely as a low-cost entry-level alternative for people who haven't bought the watch, and don't like to carry their iPhones to run and workout.
roadkill401
macrumors 6502a
Apple doesn't see a need for the ipod any more. Their push is for streaming music as it is a constant cash flow regardless of usage. Streaming music does not fit into the ipod ecosystem. Yes, the ipod does have wifi but that is not a mode that would work on the go. Apple see's that the iPhone is effectively the replacement for the ipod and it fits in fine with the streaming music in data is available through your cell phone plan. If you want to still purchase music then you just add it to your iPhone as it has all the features of the touch but at a much higher profit premium margin.
Mac 128
macrumors 603
Right. However, the iPod line remains relevant until the iPhone, and Watch fall into the same price range of the iPod lineup.
It's hard for me to imagine upgrading the nano at this point either way, and the shuffle just might outlive them all as an inexpensive halo product. An iPod for Windows and Android users. But maybe the nano does serve this purpose as well, with a greater capacity, especially if they incorporate wifi & bluetooth cheaply enough. Then non-Apple users will have direct access to the Apple Store without any other devices. But I see anybody wanting a Touch would rather buy a mini, or a smart phone (Apple of Android)..
Of course the one problem I see with this is that where iTunes was once the king of music management software, it's now a confusing bloated mess more likely to drive customers away than lure them in.
Currently the Apple TV is under the 'iPod' tab.
Once Apple refreshes the TV and begins marketing it I reckon the tab will change to 'TV' and the iPods will be hidden alongside it.
Once Apple refreshes the TV and begins marketing it I reckon the tab will change to 'TV' and the iPods will be hidden alongside it.
The iPod has been subsumed into all the other products. No need for it to exist. The iPod was the ancestor that started it all. Among its descendants, it can count the various iPod spinoffs, the iPhone, the iPad, the Apple Watch, etc. While the iPod itself is on its way out, it's DNA lives on in its heirs who now rule many empires...
g33k
macrumors member
As much as I love the original iPod and all of its iterations, I have to say that Apple will most likely kill the entire idea within the next few years. I feel nostalgia every time I see an iPod Classic. I remember Steve coming onto the stage, taking the first iPod out of his pocket, with a huge smile on his face.
It's easily one of the most important inventions that Apple has created, ever. It sold very well. I guess now's a time to buy an original Classic and worship it. I'm probably going to buy a 5th gen video, and replace the battery.
It's easily one of the most important inventions that Apple has created, ever. It sold very well. I guess now's a time to buy an original Classic and worship it. I'm probably going to buy a 5th gen video, and replace the battery.
g33k
macrumors member
Since there is no audio jack on the watch, you would connect wireless bluetooth headphones to the Apple Watch. You sadly cannot use standard headphones via a 3.5mm headphone jack.
sracer
macrumors G4
The iPod is a dying breed and a product that less and less people have a need for. Apple should cut down the iPod line to just one device (maybe an iPod Classic-esque thing), available in a plethora of capacities - simply named 'iPod'. The fact is, some people just want an MP3 player, so give them that option. There just doesn't need to be quite so many choices anymore.
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I heard the Apple Watch was capable of storing music onboard as well as being a slave to the iPhone. How does this work and how much song capacity does one get?
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I heard the Apple Watch was capable of storing music onboard as well as being a slave to the iPhone. How does this work and how much song capacity does one get?
Another option that would cost Apple even less...
The bottom line is that Apple's current devices simply have interfaces that are more complex and harder to use than the classic iPods, and Apple made it illegal for anyone to recreate things like the click wheel.
But there's no reason why Apple couldn't recreate the interface of the classic iPod as a special App that you could run on an iPhone. To me would be a suitable replacement. You could always buy a used iPhone to make it as affordable as the iPods were.
Then you'd have two devices in your pocket! An iPhone AND an iPod classic.
The bottom line is that Apple's current devices simply have interfaces that are more complex and harder to use than the classic iPods, and Apple made it illegal for anyone to recreate things like the click wheel.
But there's no reason why Apple couldn't recreate the interface of the classic iPod as a special App that you could run on an iPhone. To me would be a suitable replacement. You could always buy a used iPhone to make it as affordable as the iPods were.
Then you'd have two devices in your pocket! An iPhone AND an iPod classic.
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g33k
macrumors member
I agree. I really just want a iPod Classic to put my entire music library on, its so iconic too.
smorrissey
macrumors 68000
The new service is about streaming not about storing thousands of songs in a device (that happened more than 10 years ago). 🙄
venomgt95
macrumors 6502
smorrissey
macrumors 68000
sracer
macrumors G4
I agree.
The uniqueness of the iPod is not simply in the interface of the screen but the physical click wheel. That cannot be reproduced by simply by drawing a click wheel on a touchscreen.
If that is sufficient for your needs, then I recommend "iClassic". It requires a jailbroken iPhone or iPod Touch.
Apple should just have one iPod, and that should be either the Touch or the Shuffle. They're the two most popular, but the Touch will most likely get phased out soon.
Jessica Lares
macrumors G3
The Apple Watch is the next generation Shuffle. I don't expect it to ever gain more than 2GB, because like the Shuffle, it's designed for you to change out songs/media all the time, and not so much as something you keep a complete library on.
Solomani
macrumors 601
Nah. I foresee a future when something as small as the Apple Watch can hold more songs than an 80GB iPod Classic. It will take some more years, tho and it will require further advances in miniaturization (or nanotechnology!)
ipedro
macrumors 604
Apple has always kept a slim product line and as of late, it's kind of grown bloated. I expect the iPod line to be dropped over the next year or two.
The iPod Touch's functions are better fulfilled by the iPad mini. If you don't want to buy a child an iPhone, you can get them an iPad mini. Still, an iPhone 5C is free from most carriers and does the same as an iPod touch while also giving you the ability to always be able to reach your child and know where they are.
For sports, Apple is of course pushing the AppleWatch so the iPod shuffle, while cheap, is not going to get any push from the company's marketing efforts.
The nano really fits nowhere as it's too expensive for what it does given the available options.
The iPod classic was already discontinued.
At best, I see Apple adding WiFi to the iPod Nano to make it compatible with the new music streaming service and perhaps even dropping "nano" from the name. It would sit in the product line as the only iPod. Still, other than price, there really is no reason for it to exist anymore.
The iPod Touch's functions are better fulfilled by the iPad mini. If you don't want to buy a child an iPhone, you can get them an iPad mini. Still, an iPhone 5C is free from most carriers and does the same as an iPod touch while also giving you the ability to always be able to reach your child and know where they are.
For sports, Apple is of course pushing the AppleWatch so the iPod shuffle, while cheap, is not going to get any push from the company's marketing efforts.
The nano really fits nowhere as it's too expensive for what it does given the available options.
The iPod classic was already discontinued.
At best, I see Apple adding WiFi to the iPod Nano to make it compatible with the new music streaming service and perhaps even dropping "nano" from the name. It would sit in the product line as the only iPod. Still, other than price, there really is no reason for it to exist anymore.