Apple may discontinue the iPod shuffle and classic

We've been sitting on a tip for a while until things came into greater focus, but now that the speculation meter has exploded (see this CNet story), it's a good time to tell you all what we've heard. It seems that the "product transition" Apple mentioned on the last earnings call could very well be within the iPod line. Specifically, if you want to buy an iPod shuffle or iPod classic from Apple, you should do it sooner rather than later. We've heard those two iPods are getting the axe this year.

It makes a lot of sense, but only partly due to the numbers CNet mentions. The classic is a holdover from 10 years of iPod existence, bearing many similarities to the original iPod. The shuffle is basically the same form factor as the nano, minus a screen. The classic uses a platter-based hard drive, while Apple is largely transitioning to flash-based memory solutions. The shuffle's lack of a screen has been an issue since it first appeared as a memory stick with music playback functions. If Apple killed these off, all of its iPods would have touchscreens, and something tells me it wants it that way.

Obviously we can't divulge our source, but it is NOT an analyst. Most of us listen to analyst predictions with the proverbial grain of salt (or bag of salt). We feel pretty confident that Apple will soon discontinue the shuffle and classic, and we see few changes coming for the iPod touch -- unless you're super excited about it being available in white. The nano will then become Apple's lowest-end iPod (we've heard nothing about a price drop, however) and the iPod touch will remain a premium iPod with its current form factor intact.

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Apple will likely discontinue the iPod shuffle and classic this year, leaving an all-touchscreen lineup

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flytomap

Disappointed with discontinue of iPod Shuffle and Classic !

October 11 2011 at 3:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Henry ES

Release a 128 GB Nano and everyone will go home happy.

October 01 2011 at 1:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Henry ES's comment

TheAmazingSmileyFace

no! 128 gb iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch! who gives a beaver about a nano!

October 02 2011 at 5:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mguniverse

Why would they discontinue the Shuffle? Its one of their most popular products, and the most affordable iPod.

September 30 2011 at 3:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

OPG4711

I've been waiting for this unfortunate day to arrive. The problem is, Apple offers no other device that holds as much as the iPod Classics! Especially for the money. When you have Terabytes of music, the Classic is the only thing that's viable.
And they're tough! I take mine snowboarding, so I have no need for Apps or videos while I'm riding.

September 30 2011 at 3:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Lane

Hopefully this will be accompanied by an increase in iPod Touch capacity. I prefer the touchwheel myself, but Apple isn't going to leave all that potential app store money on the table.

September 30 2011 at 11:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

r4bb17

i wanted a classic because you can put so much stuff on...but, if this is true, i guess i'll buy something else...bummer...

September 30 2011 at 6:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mkconnell

Would absolutely HATE this move. The Classic with the wheel is the only player you can safely use on a treadmill or while running. You can change the tune or volume by touch/feel and not have to look at the screen. This is rubbish if it's true.

September 29 2011 at 5:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tim Watts

I'm all for evolution and change but I am a power user of smart playlists which I feel sets ITunes apart from other music services and the Classic is the only device that supports these fully with live updating.

Another reason which may sound silly is I love the rating being displayed on the now playing screen. I always check ratings and now I dont have to reach to click into a menu to check current rating.

September 29 2011 at 4:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

David D'Agostino

Bummer. I was hoping for a bigger classic to work as a music server with the Cambridge iD100.

September 29 2011 at 1:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to David D'Agostino's comment

TheAmazingSmileyFace

just get the classic now then!

October 02 2011 at 5:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gods, I sure as hell hope not. I filled my 160G Classic a couple of weeks ago and it's made managing my portable music collection a pain.

I'm hoping for a 200G+ one.

That said, I know that the 160G Classic has never been a great seller.

(If anyone has pointers to any other brand of mp3 player with a higher capacity, let me know. I'm not married to the iPod, though I'd _prefer_ to stay with it.)

September 29 2011 at 11:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply