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The Next iPod: Good, Bad or Indifferent
Friday, August 20, 2010 / iPods
While Apple didn’t invent the MP3 player, they certainly invented the MP3 player that would forever define the category: the iPod.
Over the years, the iPod has morphed from a music player to a near mini-computer, where you can text, chat, browse the web, record video, watch movies, play with an endless supply of applications, and yes, still just listen to music.
Apple has managed to impress and surprise more times than we can count over the years. But have they run out of ideas for the iPod? Where can they possibly take it next?
I ask this since September is historically the month Apple announces the next lineup of iPods. Currently, you can choose from the diminutive iPod shuffle, the colorful nano the
multi-function touch, and the mega-capacity iPod classic. Clearly, the iPod touch is the star of the line-up, not only in terms of sales, but its close relationship to another game-changing device: the iPhone.
So what does the future hold for the next iPod line? My guess is that the entry-level shuffle won’t be going away. It’s perfect for active users who need a small, no frills device that won’t skip under duress. The iPod classic just might be destined for the scrap heap. I just can’t see Apple putting much more R & D into a product category that has clearly morphed into more than only playing photos, videos and music. I’d wager the touch will take on the same form factor as the iPhone 4, including the camera. One could certainly hold out for improved battery life, as the iPad is a power-retention marvel. Maybe we’ll even see a price drop, as is often the case with revisions to the iPod line.
Some talk about Apple providing music over the airwaves would also limit the need for the storage of the classic, but not much has happened there yet. Could that be the surprise?
The nano’s price point is hard to beat, but the ol’ scroll wheel may be replaced by a tiny touch screen. Come September, Apple will either surprise, or just make small adjustments in what is already a dominant product.
What do you think? Please feel free to voice your opinion, or your best guess as to upcoming refinements, in the comment box below.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
taking away the iPod classic will kill the dreams of the music lover. Many people have libraries that require at least 30gb & up. personally, my library just fits the 160gb iPod.
36,400 tunes.
if anything, bring back a smaller vesrion of the iPod classic, but, but don’t take it away !!!
August 23rd, 2010 at 8:20 pm
It will probably be a 7″ and lighter iPad/Pod with maybe a camera and light and more transportable and easier to mange because that many have expressed a desire for.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:17 am
I agree with Phil on keeping the classic for reasons mentioned. The iPad apparently will fill the niche of ‘touch pod’ users eventually?
August 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
The I-Pod Classic shouldn’t morph into an airwaves only receiver. The beauty of the i-pod classic is that you don’t have to rely on any outside source to enjoy the music you can load from your own personal C/D collection and/or other music providers. It kind of sounds like the hard drive might disappear, that would be a big mistake for Apple. I still have 33 1/3 LP’s & C/D’s and they’re not obsolete yet, quite the contrary. Vinyl LP’s have actually made a comeback, sort of.
April 15th, 2011 at 11:01 am
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April 15th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
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May 23rd, 2011 at 10:37 am
Hi – I am certainly happy to discover this. Good job!
June 5th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
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