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Visual proof that the iPod is on the way out

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

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

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.

Topics: Mobility, Apple, Hardware

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34 comments
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  • And the lack of the annual September music event.

    The iPod is a business in harvest.
    Bruizer
    Reply Vote

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

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

      • Why not?

        @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?
        Bruizer
        Reply Vote

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

        @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...
        Ben_E
        Reply Vote

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

    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.
    The one and only, Cylon Centurion
    Reply Vote

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

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

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

      @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?
      DannyO_0x98
      Reply Vote

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

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

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

    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.
    korin125
    Reply Vote

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

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

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

        @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.
        Rick_Kl
        Reply Vote

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

        @Rama.NET

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

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

        @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.
        Ram U
        Reply Vote

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

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

        More Apple "innovation", I see...
        ldo17
        Reply Vote

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

        @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.
        Aerowind
        Reply Vote

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

    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. <img border="0" src="http://www.cnet.com/i/mb/emoticons/happy.gif" alt="happy">. 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.
    Ram U
    Reply Vote

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

    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.
    Rick_Kl
    Reply Vote

    • Where can I buy a new XServe?

      @Rick_Kl <br>Just wondering.

      "Just because another company bailed on its users"
      toddybottom
      Reply Vote

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

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

    • You make yourself look foolish each time you contradict yourself

      @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?

      :|
      Tim Cook
      Reply Vote
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