iPod Contact Formally Discontinued, Ending iPod Line After 20 Years

Apple has formally introduced the discontinuation of the final iPod Contact mannequin, successfully ending its iconic iPod product line, which started with the launch of the unique iPod in October 2001. Whereas Apple didn’t create the marketplace for moveable music gamers, it captured the creativeness of the world on the time, with its distinctive scroll wheel and handy form and dimension. Along with varied iterations of the unique iPod, Apple additionally offered the extraordinarily common iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, and iPod Contact collection over the previous a number of years.

The corporate ultimately diminished the portfolio, discontinuing the iPod (later renamed iPod Basic), iPod nano, and iPod shuffle over the previous a number of years. The collection had not been up to date for the reason that launch of the seventh Gen iPod Contact in mid-2019, which got here 4 years after the earlier refresh and was the only real remaining mannequin on sale. Even its presence on Apple’s official web site had been diminished, as different merchandise, most notably the iPhone, changed it.

Apple’s iPod grew to become a popular culture sensation, with a number of iconic commercials highlighting the white earphones that have been bundled with it. Pleasure ran excessive every time a brand new mannequin was anticipated to be launched. The unique iPod, with its 5GB capability and FireWire connection, was completely suitable with Macs, however Apple in 2003 capitalized on the road’s recognition and introduced a Home windows model of the iTunes app required to handle music on iPods on the time. That transfer can be credited with serving to Apple set up its model id within the Steve Jobs period.

Over the previous 20 years, Apple launched new options equivalent to the clicking wheel with a contact floor and built-in buttons and flash reminiscence starting with the iPod nano line. The iTunes Music Retailer allowed customers to buy and sync music, earlier than streaming grew to become dominant and Apple changed it with Apple Music. When the iPhone was first unveiled in 2007, it was billed as an iPod with contact controls in addition to an Web-connected system and a cell phone.

With the rising recognition of the iPhone in addition to streaming companies, Apple lower down its deal with the iPod line, and the dearth of updates past the seventh Gen iPod Contact has indicated the eventual discontinuation of the road for years now.

Whereas the iPod Contact was at instances highlighted as a gaming system, or a extra reasonably priced Web-connected system for kids, it’s much less related now within the age of streaming content material. Apple now says this mannequin will stay obtainable whereas shares final, however suggests its varied different merchandise together with iPhones, the Apple Watch, and HomePod mini as methods to hearken to music on the go and at dwelling.