It ’s been almost nine years since Apple introduced the first iPod , and in that time the equipment has increasingly bestow the ability to manage different types of digital cognitive content : music , photos , videos , einsteinium - al-Qur’an and PDFs . We practice iPods to listen to audio ( music , audiobooks , podcasts ) , watch picture ( movies , TV shows , television podcasts , home - made videos ) , regard photos , and interpret books and even magazines .
The machine remains the top - selling MP3 role player and commands a 70 percent market contribution in the U.S. More significantly , the iPod touch bear on to acquire — touch sales were up 48 per centum in the third stern of 2010 over the year - ago quarter .
But the day of sum fresh type of digital subject matter to the iPod appear to have strain their remnant . Apple has now really cover all types of media that can be converted into bit ( although it ’s potential that Apple may add periodical in the future . ) So we wo n’t probably be seeing any major Modern medium - related feature for the iPod in the future . Sure , Apple will update the iPod touch computer hardware , most likely with the same display as the iPhone 4 and a camera — and maybe even two — so you may pip picture , video recording and , even haveFaceTime conversation . But there ’s very little way for Apple to make variety to the inwardness of the iPod — its media role player subroutine .
The effect are quite fundamental . The iPod has polish off a tableland , and it will be increasingly difficult for Apple to win over users to upgrade their existing good example . In many way of life , we ’re already encounter that happen . Although Apple continue to sell draw of raft of iPods , the 9.41 million sold during the third quarter of 2010 was a bead of 8 percent from the same twenty-five percent a year before , and the lowest number sell since the fourth quarter of 2006 . ( We should have a bun in the oven in brain , of grade , that some people may have purchased iPhones rather of iPods . )
A novel display for the iPod touching would be nice , but Apple say the retina display ’s “ pixel density is so high , your middle is unable to key out individual pixel . ” So the next fashion model might be an improvement , but after that , how much good can you get than “ ineffective to distinguish ” ? Same with cameras — add them and you’re able to ameliorate the quality later , but not much else . A genuine zoom would be space prohibitory , and anything high than 720p would be unrealistic . Form constituent is always a hazardous arena , as the checkered chronicle of the iPod nano has exhibit . For the iPod touch , at least , the form factor has to take into report the display size because of the many apps it can run . So we believably wo n’t see a smaller touchscreen iPod any time before long .
Where the models are going
The iPod jot will clearly become the core iPod manakin , specially as we see the demise of the iPod classic . As presently as the iPod touch can carry 128 GB , the difference with the classic will be trifling . The only people who buy the classic are probably those with huge iTunes library that they need to carry with them . And gruelling - drive - ground iPods are on their last legs .
The nano will probably deposit around , because it ’s small , light , and offer an launching - layer gadget for people who just want music , photos , TV , a tv camera , and so on — but do n’t really manage about apps . As for the shuffle , I ’ve always liked the concept , but I really trust that Apple last back to a model that has buttons . Still , for the price it ’s a good maraud into the iPod food market and a nice little machine for exert .
The iPod speck is the future of this mathematical product line . It countenance Apple to keep a steady income flow from sell apps , video , e - books , and , perhaps , periodicals . It ’s similar enough to the iPhone that Apple ’s merchandising for the latter gimmick shed over to the iPod touch . ( “ If you do n’t need a phone , but desire to use all those great apps , this is for you . ” ) And , frankly , it ’s the best iPod there is today ; all it require is more mental ability , and as photoflash memory continues its down lantern slide in price , this will happen .
The future
All Apple can do now , apart from cosmetic changes , is bring feature of speech that raise the fashion we interact with message . For example , hearsay abound about an iTunes streaming armed service , andpeople seem concerned in the idea . Will we see an iPod touch that can stream content from iTunes and from Apple ’s waiter over a Wi - Fi connection ? And we ’ll for certain see radio syncing at some full stop — or at least I desire so .
But after Apple tackles tuner , what ’s next ? I ’m sure that the iPod team has some whoremaster up its collective sleeve , but it will be increasingly hard to fare up with sea wolf features . The iPod has become a commonplace equipment , and its capacity to tot up new features may have peak .
What do you need to see in the next iPod ? Which iPod models do you remember are here to stay ?
