The Apple iPod is one model away from extinction
The iPod is almost dead.
Apple's website no longer lists the iPod nano and iPod shuffle. The only iPod Apple now offers up is the iPod touch.
Apple confirmed with Mashable its smallest music players in the lineup have finally been discontinued.
"Today, we are simplifying our iPod lineup with two models of iPod touch now with double the capacity starting at just $199 and we are discontinuing the iPod shuffle and iPod nano."
An Apple spokesperson says they're eliminations will allow them to focus on the iPod touch, which is the most popular iPod. To ease the loss of the two iPods, they've doubled the iPod touch's storage from 16GB to 32GB, while keeping the same $200 price.
First launched in 2005, the iPod nano saw seven different versions throughout its lifetime. From the original elongated body with click wheel, to its squat redesign in 2007, to the iPod shuffle-like clip-on body in 2010, and then its final form resembling a miniature iPhone, the iPod nano transformed with the times.
Similarly, the iPod shuffle went through many different versions, and went through four different designs. The original also launched in 2005 and looked like a USB drive, the second-gen model added a clip, the third-gen removed all the buttons and pissed everyone off, and the last version was basically a smaller version of the second model.
If you're feeling a little sad at their demise, don't. The writing was on the wall and their deaths were inevitable.
If you're feeling a little sad at their demise, don't.
With the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch now Apple's bread and butter, there's just no room (or love) left for iPods. The iPod touch lives another day, but it's living on borrowed time. It's time will come, and when it does, that'll be it for the iPod.
But credit where credit's due: The iPod saved Apple and changed the world. Without the original clunker, there would be no iPhone or iOS. We'd all probably be carrying ugly Palm Treos or BlackBerrys.
It's been real, iPod. Thanks for all the music love. If you haven't already, check out list of the best and worst iPods from the last 15 years. But we're warning you: You might cry.
Topics Apple
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
