APPLE
came out with all guns blazing last night, unleashing two new iPhones, Apple Payand the company’s eagerly anticipated smartwatch, but quietly, the Cupertino giant pulled the plug on one of its most iconic gadgets, the hefty, hard-drive toting and enduring iPod classic. It had to happen at some point after years of hanging around with its TOUCHSCREENsiblings, but now the last remnant of the click wheel is finally gone. Let’s take a look back at APPLE’s long lasting media player as it plays its swan song MP3.
came out with all guns blazing last night, unleashing two new iPhones, Apple Payand the company’s eagerly anticipated smartwatch, but quietly, the Cupertino giant pulled the plug on one of its most iconic gadgets, the hefty, hard-drive toting and enduring iPod classic. It had to happen at some point after years of hanging around with its TOUCHSCREENsiblings, but now the last remnant of the click wheel is finally gone. Let’s take a look back at APPLE’s long lasting media player as it plays its swan song MP3.
Eager Apple fans were no doubt refreshing the online store to catch a closer glimpse at the new line-up of iPhones once it was updated, but along with the new additions, one gizmo was missing. The iPod classic is now removed from the iPod section of Apple’s site, and you won’t be able to spot one in the online store. Nor does the previous website URL for the model work anymore. That’s right – it’s been unceremoniously taken out back and shot.
Of course, it’s about time Apple has done something with its long lasting iPod model, as its last refresh was all the way back in 2007, and aside from a storage boost up to 160GB in 2009, Apple has turned its focus on its range of other iPods, and of course, the iPhone and iPad. While Apple forged ahead with iTunes IN THE CLOUD, the iPod classic remained the last truly high-capacity music player for carting album upon album with you, thanks to its large 160GB mechanical hard drive. If you still want something similar from Apple’s range, you’ll have to spring for the largest iPod touch (64GB, rather measly by comparison) or shell out for the hefty 128GB iPhone 6 when that launches later this month. It also marks the end of Apple’s simple, yet effective click wheel, which let you spin through tracks and albums at the flick of a thumb. That’s now been replaced by the handy touchscreen, but its legacy continues to live on with the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown dial, proving that a physical input is still relevant in 2014.
, the iPod classic remained the last truly high-capacity music player for carting album upon album with you, thanks to its large 160GB mechanical hard drive. If you still want something similar from Apple’s range, you’ll have to spring for the largest iPod touch (64GB, rather measly by comparison) or shell out for the hefty 128GB iPhone 6 when that launches later this month. It also marks the end of Apple’s simple, yet effective click wheel, which let you spin through tracks and albums at the flick of a thumb. That’s now been replaced by the handy touchscreen, but its legacy continues to live on with the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown dial, proving that a physical input is still relevant in 2014.
Taking all of your music on the go has also largely been squandered by the likes of all-you-can-stream services like Spotify and APPLE’s own iTunes Radio and now-owned Beats Music, which has largely negated the need to carry all of your songs at once, as you can simply stream them with just a few taps. Another nail in the coffin is that the hard drives that APPLE uses for the iPod classic are extremely large and delicate compared to the flash-based storage used in other iPods and iPhones, and they’re rather expensive too – it’s not a surprise to see Apple ditch the hard drive in favour of something much easier and cheaper to produce.
’s own iTunes Radio and now-owned Beats Music, which has largely negated the need to carry all of your songs at once, as you can simply stream them with just a few taps. Another nail in the coffin is that the hard drives that APPLE uses for the iPod classic are extremely large and delicate compared to the flash-based storage used in other iPods and iPhones, and they’re rather expensive too – it’s not a surprise to see Apple ditch the hard drive in favour of something much easier and cheaper to produce.
The original iPod, launched back in 2001, was dismissed by many as just another MP3 player, and lambasted for its price, but its wheel went on to become the input to beat on a smallmedia player, and many tried and failed to create something as elegant, or as useful as iTunes to go with it. There’s a reason why the iPod classic has lived on for so long, and its simplicity and storage has been key. Now that the iPod classic is dead, Apple’s focusing on its smartwatch efforts next – let’s hope the Apple Watch can match it for longevity.
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