Hardware 2.0

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes | October 14, 2011, 5:50pm PDT

Summary: Apple drops the ‘iPod’ from iOS 5 and the iPhone 4S.

Want proof that the iPod is on the way out and that the iPhone and iPad is where it’s at? Take a look at this:

I was at the gym earlier today and I needed some tunes to motivate me to bang out my squats and deadlifts, so I dug my iPhone out of my gym bag and went for the familiar ‘iPod’ icon (an icon I reach for so often I instinctively knew where it was … muscle memory is a cool thing!) … only to find that it was nowhere to be seen. For a second I started to panic, thinking that my iOS 5 update had somehow gone wrong but then I saw the ‘Music’ icon. I hesitantly tapped it and the familiar ‘iPod’ controls appeared.

Phew!

That’s right. The ‘iPod’ icon is no more. It’s no longer present on the iPhone 4S and it’s not on any iOS 5 powered device. It’s gone. History. Goodbye.

The decade-long reign of the iPod is coming to a close.

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Topics

Apple iPod, Proof, Digital Music, Digital Media, Personal Technology, Consumer Electronics, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

DocuMentor (Doc) 18th Oct

Doc is sad to hear the iPod is on its way out, Adrian. But I guess its time has come as most people would prefer to only carry one device. But I still prefer the wheel navigation over that of the iPhone, especially as I???m walking down the street and want to change songs ??? nothing like a dedicated player for doing music especially well. Problem with multi-function devices is that they often don???t do each task quite as well. I???m keeping my fingers firmly crossed that my iPod lasts a few more years.

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And the lack of the annual September music event.

Bruizer 14th Oct

The iPod is a business in harvest.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

nomikhokher 15th Oct

@Bruizer We cant forget this phone http://www.technologyfazer.com/the-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-approaching-to-u-s-in-august.html

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Why not?

Bruizer 15th Oct

@nomikhokher

It is a phone and not a PMP. As a phone, it has an unusably large 4.3" screen (won't pocket well).

But again. Why bring a phone into a discusion on PMPs?

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Ben_E 15th Oct

@nomikhokher My Dad got one - it's a nice looking phone, but way too big in the hand and the media controls are so useless as to be non-existent. Sorry, Apple has got the media player thing sorted, no matter what their nay-sayers claim.

I am confused at the apparent pulling back from what is possibly the single biggest cross-market brand out there at the moment - entertainment and computing in the one device...

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Cylon Centurion 14th Oct

I, for one, still prefer a separate PMP. Call me old fashioned, but there's a part of me that HATES draining the battery of my cell phone for trivial functions such as this.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

msalzberg 14th Oct

All they've done is separated the music app from the video app.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

DannyO_0x98 14th Oct

@msalzberg
I think he has a point here. If you go back and watch the Jobs' 2007 MacWorld Keynote introducing the iPhone, you'll see he described it as consolidating devices, including the iPod. The default layout has always put Mail, Safari, Photos, and iPod on the bottom.

As to what the iPod being on the way out means, I think Apple is still going to sell them. As to being the focus of the company, just how many tracks at WWDC were about iPod games, since 2007?

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Interestingly enough, now even the biggest selling iPod device, iPod touch,

DeRSSS Updated - 15th Oct

@DannyO_0x98: ... will not have function in iOS 5 that is directly called "iPod", and this has sense, too.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

korin125 14th Oct

This article seems to miss one issue:
Whether on not the iPod is going to be phased out, the iPod never had an 'iPod' app. It makes more sense having the separate app for music and video, and makes it easier to use.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Rama.NET 14th Oct

@korin125
Nope, they had an iPod app which would let you organize your media. Now the media is split into two Music, and Videos.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Rick_Kl 14th Oct

@Rama.NET I seriously wonder if you ever tire of constantly being wrong? If Apple let the iPod stagnate for two years, then it would be plausible. But they keep updating them, which indicates an interest in the product.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

msalzberg 14th Oct

@Rama.NET

He said the iPod never had an iPod app, not the iPhone.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Rama.NET 14th Oct

@msalzberg
My mistake. My tired eyes.

@Rick_kl
I am not wrong. I didn't say they are phasing out the iPod device. I said the iPod app. Please re-read my message considering the device as iPhone though in my message. I am not saying Apple discounting iPod.

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Re: Now the media is split into two Music, and Videos.

ldo17 15th Oct

@Rama.NET Which is exactly how Android has always done it.

More Apple "innovation", I see...

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Aerowind 17th Oct

@Rama.NET No they don't. I'm looking at my iPod Touch right now (still old version because I didn't update yet). Mine just says "Music" It always has. It also has a separate videos app. If anything, they made the iPhone MORE like the iPod.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Rama.NET Updated - 14th Oct

iPod is split into two, Music and Videos. If you look into the second home screen or there after you will see an app called Videos, and you can't remove it like Contacts or other iPhone apps. Interestingly that was part of iPod previously. . You are right, it seems iPod is on its way out.

Edit: For those who think I am talking about iPod device, I am sorry. I was talking about the iPod app on iPhone and iPad.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Rick_Kl 14th Oct

Apple just introduced the 5th generation iPod Touch. Just because another company bailed on its users, that does not mean Apple will do the same.

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Where can I buy a new XServe?

toddybottom Updated - 14th Oct

@Rick_Kl
Just wondering.

"Just because another company bailed on its users"

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

anono 15th Oct

@toddybottom
It's replaced by Mac Pro Server or Mac Mini Server.

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You make yourself look foolish each time you contradict yourself

Mister Spock 15th Oct

@Rick_Kl
On one day you claim Microsoft was forced to discontinue the Zune due to lost revenue on low sales because the iPod is so superior, yet now chastise Microsoft, claiming they "bailed on their users" because they discontiued the Zune as it makes no sense producing something that doesn't sell. (Business 101, I believe)

Do you always comment without first thinking out your statement, or is it enjoyable to you that you look so foolish in front of those you believe you are impressing?

plain

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Hallowed are the Ori Updated - 16th Oct

@Mister Spock

Nice.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Peter Perry 14th Oct

That's not all, when they move to an independent platform with true OTA Updates and not just Point Releases (iOS will have to do a lot of optimizing to shrink the Code down to sane sizes). We'll see iTune gets renamed and integrated into the App Store all together.

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Nothing new

adacosta38 14th Oct

It has been this way since the debut of iPod Touch in 2007. I saw this change when they demoed iOS 5 at WWDC but didn't see a big deal in it considering that the focus is around consistency across all form factors iOS based devices.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

liezelee1109 14th Oct

Proofs employ logic but usually include some amount of natural language which usually admits some ambiguity. In fact, the vast majority of proofs in written mathematics can be considered as applications of rigorous informal logic.- Dr. Jerry M. Foster

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

cetin_mustafa_@... 15th Oct

My system so much magnify. I hope to explore sites such solid.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Rick_Kl 15th Oct

My fourth generation iPod Touch did not have an iPod App. I recently saw and iPhone 4 (Verizon) and it does not have an iPod App. Apple made the change a while back, it is just another need to call for doom and gloom.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

CobraA1 15th Oct

That being said, my iPod Touch accepted iOS 5 with no issues, and Apple is still selling their entire iPod lineup on their website.

It's still a great device for people who want the functionality of the iPhone without the hassle of a two year contract.

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

dave95. Updated - 15th Oct

As Apple said themselves, the iPod is still a large and important market to Apple:

-45 million iPods sold in the year, ending in June
-Almost half of those are going to people buying their first iPod
-Many are going to people who are just being introduce to Apple (halo effect)
-iPod holds a 78% Market Share
-300 Million iPods sold around the world so far
-iPod Nano still very popular in the gym and with athletes
-iPod Touch most popular iPod, and potable game player (now with iOS5)

Seriously, I could keep going on how important the iPod continue to be to Apple. It helps Apple strengthen its ecosystem, something Android OEMs would kill to have. People are not just buying content from the iPhone but also from those 45 million new iPods sold each year. Why would any company kill that? Apple is simply keeping the iPod feature consistant along all its devices by labeling it "Music".

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RED ALERT!

MatsSvensson 15th Oct

I just checked out one of those "iPhones" and it seems there is no iPhone-button on it!

So, game over for that brand too then...

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RE: Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

Doctor Demento 15th Oct

@MatsSvensson

+! AKH just got PWNed

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iPod is useful for me..... iPhone is not

shawkins 15th Oct

For me, and iPhone will never make sense. Not only does it costs hundreds of dollars to buy, it costs a grand or more per year to own it. I don't need one, plain and simple. I guess they can scrap the iPod if they want but in my case that will only mean no more iTunes purchases, etc. It sure won't mean that I will buy an iPhone.

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