What are iPods? Apple stops making MP3 players after 21 years

Apple discontinued the iPod – 21 years after it was first released.

When the revolutionary music device was released in 2001, it could only store 1,000 tracks.

But with the 2019 release, the final iPod update, the device can hold up to 33,000 songs, with more than 90 million songs available on Apple’s streaming service.

Here’s a look back at the iPod’s history and how it evolved over its 21 years on the market.

When Apple co-founder Steve Jobs first introduced the iPod, it had 10 hours of battery life and was the first MP3 player capable of storing 1,000 songs.

The iconic iPod over the years has reborn into models like the iPod Touch, iPod mini, and iPod nano.

However, many experts predict that it is unlikely to continue to be produced for much longer because of the rise of the iPhone and other smartphones that come with built-in music players.

The iPod Classic hit the market on October 23, 2001, gaining attention with its sleek design and metal back.

There are six generations of iPod Classic, and each generation is released annually. The famous design of the iPod Classic has been released in the fourth generation.

By 2003, the iPod had 40GB of storage, but this had increased to 160GB in 2007.

To start off compact and invisible, the iPod Mini was introduced in 2004 but lasted only two generations.

This iPod is marketed for its vibrant colors and compact design that fits up to 6GB of songs.

Nano was created to replace the iPod Mini and was first introduced in 2005. Over 7 generations, this sub-version of the Classic was on the market for 11 years and 10 months before being discontinued.

With drastic changes in the sixth generation, the iPod Nano may be remembered by many for its square screen and no separate buttons, with 24 hours of music playback on a single full charge.

However, the seventh generation has grown back to standard size and multiplied with rainbow colors ranging from pale yellow to red.

Known for its distinctive design, the iPod Shuffle had only all buttons and no screen but had a classy clip that led to millions of people attaching this product to their lapel as a brochure.

The reason for the change? According to Apple, iPod owners have left their music in shuffle mode, and it’s more cost-effective to implement this design.

The iPod Shuffle lasts 4 generations and can store up to 240 songs.

But it was the fourth generation of the iPod Shuffle that many people remember – it was small enough to fit in the palm of the hand and had large buttons.

This version is available in 29 languages ​​and features the popular VoiceOver from the third generation.

The iPod Shuffle was discontinued on July 27, 2017, after 12 years and six months on the market.

First created in 2007, the iPod touch was the last iPod in the iPod line.

Imitating a smartphone in every way, minus the phone’s features, the iPod Touch is known for its versatility and adaptability.

In seven generations, this iPod is a combination of all of the above but can be supported with iOS with the final model released on the market on May 28, 2019.

With the cessation of production, it marked the end of a revolutionary era.

With the proliferation of the iPhone and similar devices, the iPod became redundant, leading to its discontinuation.

Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of global marketing, says the iPod has “redefined the way music is discovered”.

“Music has always been a core part of us at Apple and has brought it to hundreds of millions of users in a way that the iPod has impacted more than just the music industry – it has defined it,” he said. Revisiting how music is discovered, heard and shared.

“Today, the spirit of the iPod lives on.

“We’ve integrated an incredible music experience across all of our products, from iPhone to Apple Watch to HomePod mini, and across Mac, iPad and Apple TV.

“And Apple Music delivers industry-leading sound quality with spatial audio support – there’s no better way to enjoy, discover, and experience music.”

Apple said it will continue to sell the Touch, the last remaining generation of iPods on sale, “while stocks last.”