“It seems that the ‘product transition’ Apple mentioned on the last earnings call could very well be within the iPod line,” Victor Agreda, Jr. reports for TUAW.
“Specifically, if you want to buy an iPod shuffle or iPod classic from Apple, you should do it sooner rather than later,” Agreda reports. “We’ve heard those two iPods are getting the axe this year.”
Agreda reports, “If Apple killed these off, all of its iPods would have touchscreens, and something tells me it wants it that way.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Lynn Weiler” for the heads up.]
Come on 128GB Touch! 🙂
That’s a nice idea – actually – if true lets hope 256Gb and 500Gb models also or a micro SD slot. Nice of Apple to finally give in and put a SD slot on the iMAC – so why not. Security still?
I am concerned however on the new iPhone 5
regarding the SIZE and main BUTTON.
Both are welcoming enhancements yet seemingly copying SAMSUNGs Galaxy S II.
TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLLL
The size of the main button is the same. It just has a trackpad area for multitasking. Seriously people? Old news.
exactly. instead of “4 finger swipe” which would be really awkward on the iPhone, there will be a tracking area for one finger swipe app switching.
Analyst Expects Redesigned Aluminum Unibody iPhone 5
and Low-End iPhone 4S.
WaterFalls Expects Redesigned Aluminum Unibody iPhone 5
and iPodTouch with cellular capabilities and yes bye to the classics.
WaterFalls is deluded. An aluminium unibody failed on the first iPhone because it compromised cellular performance. Can’t your tiny little mind grasp the fact that Apple, after all the stupid ‘antennagate’ issues, would never go back to a construction that would genuinely compromise performance? A unibody CARBONFIBER construction, possibly.
Carbon fiber can cause RF issues too.
just my $0.02
For me, my two iPod shuffles are my most used music playing devices, by far.
One is a 1st gen white shuffle that I hold in my hand like an Apple Remote Control when I go running. No need to reach anywhere or look at anything, when I want to control music playback (very important when running). I bought a bunch of “broken” ones on eBay a while ago, and when something like the USB connector or battery goes bad, I can basically swap parts almost indefinitely. It has great sound (better than some of the larger iPods).
The other is a 2nd gen clip-on shuffle that I wear around my neck (on the earbud cable) when I’m otherwise out and about. Even when I have my iPhone with me, it’s more convenient to listen to random music on my shuffle. The sound quality of the 2G shuffle is not as good as the 1G, so if this rumor is true, I’m buying a 4G shuffle before they run out (maybe on the refurb page).
Unless Apple increase iPod Touch’s storage capacity to at least 256GB, I don’t see Apple will discontinue iPod Classic any time soon.
my 2 cents…
I second that strongly!
Oops… My bad. I meant to say “…at least 128GB or 256GB…”
Talk about niche markets. Remember the 90/90 rule: 90% of the people, 90% of the time.
I hope the shuffle is not going to be axed. Apple dominated the low price player market with a quality the competitors cannot touch. Unless its becoming not profitable i can’t imagine them axing it.
Shuffle, to me, is one of the top 3 of all Apple products of all time. I certainly hope it doesn’t get the axe anytime soon; the minimalist design has legs to go far. Hopefully, it will have better Nuance voice command integration that works like it aspires to since inception.
Well the current nano is basically the same size as the old shuffle, but with a touch screen. That should satisfy most jogers. ( I think, I’m not a jogger)
You should buy the old one sooner rather than later?!?!?
That would be a bad idea at this point. Just wait till the old one goes on sale.
It’s actually noticeably larger and heavier than 2G shuffle (4G shuffle is even smaller). And the touch screen is why it’s not as good for runners who just want “random” music from a “favorites” (or “for running”) playlist. You have to look at the screen to use it. It’s not a good idea to look away too long from where you are stepping to fumble around with on-screen controls… 🙂
With the shuffle, I control playback entirely by feel, so I can skip a song, repeat a song, adjust volume, reshuffle the list, without taking my eyes off my path. That’s why I still use my 1G “USB stick” shuffle; I hold it in my hand while I’m running and don’t even need to reach over to where it’s clipped.
But one NICE feature is built-in support for the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. I don’t use it now (and I wear New Balance), but that might be a fun addition to the running routine.
Would voice command be an acceptable solution?
Are you saying the next iPod nano has voice-based commands…? That would certainly be nifty.
While I’m looking forward to the day when voice commands are integrated seamlessly in most Apple products, a good design shouldn’t exclude the deaf/mute community. There may also be situations where it’s inconvenient to talk to your device (in the library, or hiding somewhere in the dark etc.)
I remember, on the 1st gen PS3, it used to bother me that when I would enter the password it would display that on the TV while I’m entering it, and my roommates would pick up on it. Similarly, I never want a full voice only situations, where I may have to enter/dictate password or personal texts loudly in movie theatre or somewhere inappropriate. Thankfully, Apple is the kind of company that usually thinks these things through before implementations, generally speaking of course.
If Apple ditched the clickwheel reckon they’d license it out to third-party manufacturers? Maybe along with iPod OS?
No.
Apple remembers the clones of the Scully era.
No licensing.
Actually wasn’t it the Spindler-Amelio era? The difference this time is it wouldn’t be a threat to Apple’s survival, it would only add to the bottom line.
So long Classic…I plan on keeping my 160 gb Classic as long as it works…stays in the car and I never have to listen to the radio! No Lady GaGa for me!
That’s what my iPhone is for.
No way they drop the Nano, the gym crowd and runners need an iTunes friendly running companion. Ever try running with an iPhone ><
I won’t be surprised to hear that the nano and touch both get 3G data radios added to them. It would allow both to be incorporated into iCloud usage – namely for the auto download to all devices for music.
I think that’s the real reason the shuffle and classic would get axed – they don’t fall in line for iCloud …
You’re all talking about the size / spec differences between shuffle and Nano, but missing the main difference that is the absolute deal breaker when purchasing either; the price. Its not a case of why buy the shuffle when the Nano is nearly as small but with a touchscreen etc. The Nano is more than 3 times the price!!! Not everyone has £130 to throw at an MP3 player, and if you’re using it running or similar, the screen is not a great advantage, rather a disadvantage.
I think it’d be a big shame to lose the shuffle, i think i enjoyed it most out of all my ipods (1st Gen).
Never had a Classic, and don’t want any more than 32Gb of songs (My iphone 4) so not bothered otherwise. The click wheel is old tech but ‘classic’, does seem a shame to lose touch (Pun intended) with what essentially made them famous (Amongst other things).
Why do that and give that market segment to someone else?? makes no sense. As long as they’re selling and making a profit why stop?
I agree. The iPod Shuffle is my most used iPod. Perfect of rthe gym or running, places where I don’t want to take my iPhone. Only way to improve it would be to build in the Nike + sensor.
Apple’s Voice Command is going to be a flop with half or more of the blacks in the USA can not speak proper English.
If you ax me dis an’t yo mudah d hoes iPhone.
Android rules, are you as stupid as you sound? Or stupider?
Don’t want apps. Don’t want touch. Don’t want phone. Just want high-quality music, high-quality reproduction and capacity. If you want to give me a solid state classic, I’ll be happy. Other than that, forget it. I’ll keep my 160GB going as long as I can.
How I feel, too. Will probably buy a spare one if they are discontinued as a long-term backup. Will also get the batteries in my 3G and 5G replaced. Might even consider upgrading the HD in the 5G while the back is off.
The have a market for the shuffle. Specifically a kid market to mention just one. Athletes are another.
Cant see it happening.