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.
Share
Source: http://tuaw.com/tag/ipod
Categories
Apple will likely discontinue the iPod shuffle and classic this year, leaving an all-touchscreen lineup
Add a Comment
Disappointed with discontinue of iPod Shuffle and Classic !
October 11 2011 at 3:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyRelease a 128 GB Nano and everyone will go home happy.
October 01 2011 at 1:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyno! 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 ReplyWhy 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 ReplyI'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.
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 Replyi 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 ReplyWould 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 ReplyI'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.
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 Replyjust get the classic now then!
October 02 2011 at 5:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyGods, 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.)
Hot Apps on TUAW
Deals of the Day
more deals- Used Apple iPhone 3G 8GB for AT&T for $108 + $5 s&h
- Apple Mac Pro Xeon 6-Core 3.3GHz Desktop w/ 12GB RAM for $3,899 + $28 s&h
- Apple MacBook Pro Core i7 Quad 2.2GHz 15" SSD Laptop for $2,447 + $13 s&h
- Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic for $6 + $2 s&h
- PC Micro Store sale: Up to 50 off
- USB MP3 Player FM Transmitter with remote for $6 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updates- EFI Firmware Update brings Lion Internet Recovery to 2010-model Macs
- OS X Lion 10.7.3 released with Safari 5.1.3, Wi-Fi bug fix
- Aperture updated to 3.2.2, addresses Photo Stream issue
- Apple updates Keynote to address Lion issues
- Google Search app gets new look on iPad
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3



103 Comments