When last we suffer to talk over the fate of the iPod I suggested that the majority of the iPod line of merchandise would live on and , in describing the shuffle , summed it up with “ There just is n’t a good ground to not betray the shambling . ” If only I ’d written “ not sell the current iPod just as they are ” and halt , I would have been hailed as The Great Prognosticator .
But no . I had to keep my big yap flapping and imply that the 2010 nano was no slap-up shakes and neededsomekind of intent alteration , that the iPod classic was finally proceed to converge its Almighty , and that the next iPod skin senses would be best served with 3 G circuitry and a salary - as - you - go programme . Because that ’s the way it always goes , right ? New year , raw iPod line .
Not this year . While Apple is certainly not giving up on the non - iOS iPods , thecompany is not assign a heavy deal more effort into them . Today ’s iPod shuffle is exactly the same as the one sell last year . The “ fresh ” iPod nano is $ 20 to $ 30 less expensive than it was before depending on which model you corrupt , but it ’s the same computer hardware fit with a software update . ( Those who purchase their watchband nano last yr can upgrade to the new software via iTunes . ) And the 160 GB iPod classic has n’t changed in yr and remains price at $ 249 .
This for certain lessens the fervour around iPods . This holiday time of year you ’re not going to hear “ Ooh , that raw chocolate flavor implantable iPod nano is just want I want ! ” Rather , the more utilitarian “ Mom , I just put my nano through the wash , can you get me another one next time you ’re at the shopping mall ? ” voice about right .
And that makes sentiency . Apple ’s mobile focus is on iOS , which these iPods will never run . Though iPod sales have omit , these devices continue to put up to the bottom parentage . Apple ’s nicely tied up the low - to - mid portion of the music player market with the shuffle and nano and is n’t in the habit of yield markets to competitors . And where ’s the harm in continue to trade a hard - movement - based , gamey - capacity metier player to those who require to carry around a significant portion of their media library on a single - purpose equipment ?
And what of the iPod touching ? When talking of the speck I make do to get this much right : “ iOS 5is the real driver in this bout of iOS update . ” And that largely summarize up the “ newness ” of the late iPod feeling . Other than now being available in snowy and offer up in a less - expensive - by-20 - one dollar bill 8 GB model , the inflammation come in the physique ofiOS 5 ’s new features — the same features that those of us with 3 G and 4 G iPod touch will also enjoy .
[ Christopher Breen is a senior editor in chief for Macworld . ]
