The Apple iPod, the groundbreaking device that rocked the music and electronics industries more than two decades ago, is no more.
Apple The iPod, a disruptive device that rocked the music and electronics industries more than two decades ago, is no more. The company announced Tuesday that it is discontinuing production of the iPod Touch, the last surviving product of the line that first went on sale in October 2001. The touchscreen model released in 2007 will remain. sold until supplies run out.
Apple has released dozens of versions of the iPod over the years, but the product has been gradually overshadowed by its other devices, especially the iPhone. That led the company to begin phasing out models in 2014. At that time, the company discontinued the iPod classic, the version with the click wheel and small screen that most closely resembled the original. In 2017, Apple discontinued its smallest music players, the iPod Nano and the iPod Shuffle.
The iPod Touch – popular as a cheaper alternative to the iPhone – is set to stay for a few more years. The device was last updated in 2019 and costs $199. Compare that to the cheapest iPhone in Apple’s portfolio: the iPhone SE, which costs $429.
But with so many other ways to get music, Apple no longer considers the product a necessity.
“We’ve integrated an incredible music experience across all of our products, from iPhone to Apple Watch to HomePod mini and on Mac, iPad, and Apple TV,” said Greg Joswiak, Senior Vice President of Operations Apple’s global marketing said.
Introduced by Steve Jobs, the iPod is said to have helped turn Apple from a near-bankrupt company into a huge $3 trillion fortune. The iPod set the stage for the growth of the iPhone, iPad and AirPods – products that now make up the majority of Apple’s revenue.
