The iPod will be 10 years old this fall, and as more and more users opt for the iPhone or even the iPad as their media player of choice, Apple may be asking themselves: Is it time to drive a stake in the heart of the iPod yet? Here are a handful of reasons why they might, along with just as many for why they won’t.
It’s hard to imagine a time before the iPod, which is celebrating its diamond anniversary this year (that’s the tenth, for the unmarried readers in the crowd). First announced on October 23 nearly a decade ago and released to eager buyers on November 10, 2001, that original $399, 5GB marvel looks positively quaint by today’s standards -- but there’s no denying how the promise of “a thousand songs in the palm of your hand” revolutionized the way we consume audio.
Of course, Apple embarked on yet another revolution in 2007 with the iPhone, which was soon followed by the cellular-less iPod touch. Each September, Apple has continued to trot out new and refreshed iPod models, but this year things are different and many are forecasting doom and gloom for the future of the iPod as the fall spotlight shines on the iPhone 5.
While Apple continues to make boatloads of cash from the iPod, its cachet as a must-have media player has waned in recent years, even as Apple’s fortunes have risen in the opposite direction. Playing the devil’s advocate, let’s have a look at the reasons why Cupertino may -- or may not -- be ready to kick the iPod to the curb.
The iPhone has been a lust-worthy device since it debuted in 2007, and it’s only gotten hotter with each subsequent iteration. The iPad may not be as pocket-friendly, but folks are gorging on them as well. Where does that leave the iPod? In the eyes of many potential buyers, the iPhone or iPad do everything an iPod can do, so why have multiple devices?
Most at risk of extinction are iPods that don’t resemble an iPhone -- namely all of them except for the iPod touch, particularly when that model could get a nice “last hurrah” by sticking a 3G data-only antenna inside, making it the perfect phone-less iPhone for budget users on Skype or other VoIP services.
Pundits have made it an annual event to predict a proper burial for the iPod classic each year -- after all, who wants one of those old hard drive models with no apps or touchscreen, anyway? However, with the $399 iPod touch maxing out at a mere 64GB compared to the $249 iPod classic available in black or white with 160GB for up to 40,000 songs, 200 hours of video or 25,000 photos, it’s still the perfect device for real music lovers -- and their massive iTunes library.
As iOS leapt from the iPhone to the iPod touch, then the iPad and even the second-generation Apple TV, a few devices got left behind -- namely the iPod classic, iPod nano and iPod shuffle. Oh sure, the 2010 iPod nano has a 1.3-inch touchscreen with software that looks a lot like iOS, but make no mistake: The iPod touch is the only one with iOS.
This dilemma must be a thorn in the side of Apple, who generally prefers to have a much tidier, more streamlined product line. That’s why we figure they might axe the non-iOS iPod line in favor of the iPod touch, or even something new that could consolidate the lineup.
Then again, the iPod nano and iPod shuffle start to make a lot more sense when you look at their target market, which is historically made up of the more health conscious among us. These folks prefer those little iPods as their running or exercise companions, if for no other reason than nobody wants to spend two or three hundred bucks and sign a two-year contract just to get it all sweaty or greasy. The smaller iPods are infinitely more disposable, that’s for sure.
In just over three short years, the App Store has completely changed the mobile landscape, making the apps as important as the device itself. While the iPod touch is safe for now because of its ability to run them in the first place, the rest of the iPod lineup should be lurking in the shadows, beads of sweat across their brows as they await the pink slips from Cupertino.
Back in March, iPod classic fans breathed a small sigh of relief with the news that then Apple CEO Steve Jobs had responded to the email inquiry from one such fan, claiming the company had “no plans to” kill the remaining hard disk model following its no-show at last year’s music-centric event. Rumors have swirled that the iPod classic might even get some additional love at this year’s event, given that Toshiba now makes a 220GB hard drive that’s perfectly compatible with the existing device. (Swoon…)
Of course, that was then and this is now -- Steve Jobs has since stepped aside as CEO and Tim Cook is now calling the shots from the hot seat, so anything goes. It’s common knowledge that Cook is the brains behind streamlining Apple’s manufacturing process for maximum profits, and he may view the iPod classic (or its smaller siblings) in a whole different light than Jobs did as a music lover. If you don’t believe us, just ask all those Final Cut Studio users how that Final Cut Pro X thing is working out for them…
It’s entirely possible that Apple could instead reinvent the iPod line, bringing iOS to all of the devices rather than snuffing them out quicker than moviegoers turned their back on Mars Needs Moms earlier this year. A high-capacity iPod classic that keeps the hard drive but adds some iOS goodness like the App Store and touch? We’re already fumbling for our (maxed out) credit card.
Declining revenues, four different models and the public hungry for the next “big thing” could be three valid reasons for Apple to start crossing out products from its catalog to keep the focus on the iPod touch. But even if they keep “Lil’ Fatty” (aka the iPod classic) around for nostalgia, the diminutive iPod nano released last September could easily absorb any remaining interest in the $49 iPod shuffle -- especially if Apple can get the price below $149 for the 8GB model this year.
That said, the current iPod lineup truly does offer something for everyone in every budget range -- from the $49 iPod shuffle all the way up to the $399 64GB iPod touch and every sweet spot in-between. Assuming that Apple doesn’t offer a radically different iPod model this year -- which is unlikely to be the case with the fall event focused on the iPhone 5 -- Cupertino can coast through another year with the same lineup introduced 12 months ago, maybe even shaving a few more bucks off those prices to sweeten the deal.
One thing is for sure: Apple has gotten a lot of mileage out of those little media players over the last decade, handily deflecting competitors old (Microsoft Zune) and new (Samsung Galaxy Player). Even if Cupertino were to rest on their iPod laurels for a bit, it doesn’t look likely than another company could unseat them anytime soon.
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peter0379
September 09, 2011 at 4:47am
Wow, I can't believe the iPod Classic still exists. Shouldn't it have a click wheel or something?
Jamie
September 06, 2011 at 2:57pm
I don't think they would abandon the iPod Touch even just as a dedicated, contract-free, app device, particularly not with the Gamestop rumors floating around. There's some life left there yet. iPhoneography is bigger than ever as well - if they outfit them with decent cameras, that's another big pile of moolah to be made. The Nano or Shuffle may get shuffled off, but I'll bet the Classic and Touch are with us for awhile.
Geoduck
September 06, 2011 at 1:32pm
The Shuffle and the Nano are more or less functionally interchangeable. I could see them eliminating one, most likely the Shuffle. They might just extend the Nano line down to come close to the Shuffle's specs.
The Classic is popular with DJs and other professionals that need to carry their whole world with them. If that's a big enough market they'll keep it. OTOH with what they did with Final Cut X that's not for sure.
They, ahem, won't touch the Touch. It's the entry level iPhone. Sure it does not have a phone but it does everything else people want. I have one and it's incredibly useful. I have an iPad too but use the Touch nearly every day. There is a market for an iPhone without the cost and hassle of a cell connection.
